---
title: "AP Microeconomics Question 3 Short FRQ Practice"
description: "109 Short FRQ (Question 3)s written in the AP format, each scored part by part."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-micro/frqs/short-frq-3"
type: "frq-type-practice"
subject: "AP Microeconomics"
---

# AP Microeconomics Question 3 Short FRQ Practice

## What the Question 3 Short FRQ asks

FRQ 3 is the second short question on the AP Microeconomics exam. Like FRQ 2, it focuses on one model and asks you to calculate, identify, and explain one result at a time.

- **12-15 min**: suggested writing time
- **5 points**: usually across parts A to E
- **25%**: of your FRQ section score

| Part | What it asks | Points |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A: Starting value | Calculate or identify a value from the scenario | 1 |
| B: Analysis | Explain or calculate the next result | 1 |
| C: Calculation | A value with the work shown | 1 |
| D: Change | Identify or calculate what happens when the scenario changes | 1 |
| E: Explanation | Explain why a result happens, using economic reasoning | 1 |

## How Question 3 Short FRQ practice works

1. **Read the full question.** The scenario, any data or tables, and every part, laid out the way the exam shows them.
2. **Write on a 12-minute timer.** The time to plan for on exam day. Pause it or turn it off, and your response saves as you go.
3. **Submit for a score out of 5.** Your response is scored against the scoring guidelines written for that question. Your first score is included.

## All 109 questions

### Unit 1: Basic Economic Concepts (13)
- [Absolute advantage, comparative advantage, opportunity cost](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69714fe70348173ef3023dc9&type=frq-3-short)
- [Absolute advantage, comparative advantage, opportunity cost](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=697150050348173ef3023dcb&type=frq-3-short)
- [Production efficiency, opportunity costs, comparative advantage](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6971502a0348173ef3023dd1&type=frq-3-short)
- [Absolute and comparative advantage in production](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863d86f157a20a002dd3b4&type=frq-3-short)
- [Absolute and comparative advantage in production](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863edff157a20a002dd3d8&type=frq-3-short)
- [Absolute and comparative advantage in production](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863f03f157a20a002dd3dd&type=frq-3-short)
- [Marginal utility maximization with budget constraints](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863f70f157a20a002dd3e8&type=frq-3-short)
- [Marginal utility and consumer satisfaction from goods](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863fadf157a20a002dd3f0&type=frq-3-short)
- [Budget constraint, marginal utility maximization](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864024f157a20a002dd3ff&type=frq-3-short)
- [Consumer utility maximization with budget constraints](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698640faf157a20a002dd415&type=frq-3-short)
- [Production possibilities frontier and opportunity costs](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6986412af157a20a002dd41b&type=frq-3-short)
- [Comparative advantage in wheat and cloth production](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698641a2f157a20a002dd42b&type=frq-3-short)
- [Marginal benefit and cost analysis for public infrastructure](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6ab28ea1a7149090b6e7e1c3&type=frq-3-short)

### Unit 2: Supply and Demand (25)
- [Solar panel market equilibrium and supply elasticity](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=697150280348173ef3023dd0&type=frq-3-short)
- [Solar panel market equilibrium and price elasticity](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=697150890348173ef3023dda&type=frq-3-short)
- [Consumer utility maximization with marginal utility analysis](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863d0cf157a20a002dd3a5&type=frq-3-short)
- [Marginal utility maximization and total utility calculation](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863d61f157a20a002dd3ae&type=frq-3-short)
- [Portable power bank market equilibrium and elasticity](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863d65f157a20a002dd3af&type=frq-3-short)
- [Consumer utility maximization with marginal analysis](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863dc4f157a20a002dd3b8&type=frq-3-short)
- [Perfectly competitive avocado market equilibrium and price controls](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863dd2f157a20a002dd3ba&type=frq-3-short)
- [Electric scooter market equilibrium and demand elasticity](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863e00f157a20a002dd3bf&type=frq-3-short)
- [Consumer utility maximization with budget constraints](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863e31f157a20a002dd3c3&type=frq-3-short)
- [Competitive market equilibrium and price floor effects](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863e5af157a20a002dd3c7&type=frq-3-short)
- [Consumer utility maximization with budget constraints](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863e78f157a20a002dd3cb&type=frq-3-short)
- [Market equilibrium and price elasticity of demand](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863ea2f157a20a002dd3d0&type=frq-3-short)
- [Market equilibrium and price ceiling effects on widgets](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863f22f157a20a002dd3e1&type=frq-3-short)
- [Solar lamp market equilibrium and price floor effects](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863f53f157a20a002dd3e3&type=frq-3-short)
- [Market equilibrium, consumer surplus, tax revenue analysis](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863f7ff157a20a002dd3ea&type=frq-3-short)
- [Perfect competition market equilibrium and price controls](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863fd9f157a20a002dd3f7&type=frq-3-short)
- [Market equilibrium and demand elasticities for noodles](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864061f157a20a002dd405&type=frq-3-short)
- [Perfect competition market equilibrium and price controls](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6986408df157a20a002dd40b&type=frq-3-short)
- [Perfect competition market equilibrium and price floor effects](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698640fbf157a20a002dd416&type=frq-3-short)
- [Electric scooter market equilibrium and demand elasticity](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864139f157a20a002dd41e&type=frq-3-short)
- [Consumer utility maximization with budget constraints](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864171f157a20a002dd424&type=frq-3-short)
- [Perfectly competitive market equilibrium and consumer surplus](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698641adf157a20a002dd42c&type=frq-3-short)
- [Electric scooter market equilibrium and demand elasticity](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864269f157a20a002dd437&type=frq-3-short)
- [Utility maximization with budget constraints](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6a8f9357e01133566d15bf64&type=frq-3-short)
- [Premium matcha powder market equilibrium and demand elasticity](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6a8f935ae01133566d15bf65&type=frq-3-short)

### Unit 3: Production, Cost, and the Perfect Competition Model (17)
- [Marginal cost and profit maximization analysis](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=697150350348173ef3023dd2&type=frq-3-short)
- [Average cost and profit maximization in production](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6971505c0348173ef3023dd5&type=frq-3-short)
- [Wheat production costs and profit maximization](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=697150850348173ef3023dd9&type=frq-3-short)
- [Labor productivity and profit maximization in competition](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863e98f157a20a002dd3cf&type=frq-3-short)
- [Profit maximization in perfectly competitive markets](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863ef8f157a20a002dd3db&type=frq-3-short)
- [Production efficiency and cost analysis](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863f63f157a20a002dd3e7&type=frq-3-short)
- [Perfect competition, marginal cost, profit maximization](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863f8af157a20a002dd3ec&type=frq-3-short)
- [Perfect competition, marginal cost pricing, economic profit](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863fb5f157a20a002dd3f1&type=frq-3-short)
- [Profit maximization in perfectly competitive markets](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863fd8f157a20a002dd3f6&type=frq-3-short)
- [Profit maximization through marginal cost analysis](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6986400df157a20a002dd3fc&type=frq-3-short)
- [Perfect competition firm pricing and profit maximization](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864038f157a20a002dd401&type=frq-3-short)
- [Perfect competition firm cost analysis](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864099f157a20a002dd40e&type=frq-3-short)
- [Profit maximization and cost analysis in perfect competition](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698640bef157a20a002dd412&type=frq-3-short)
- [Perfect competition, marginal analysis, profit maximization](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864133f157a20a002dd41d&type=frq-3-short)
- [Marginal cost and profit maximization in perfect competition](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6986415df157a20a002dd423&type=frq-3-short)
- [Perfect competition, marginal cost, profit maximization](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698641b4f157a20a002dd42e&type=frq-3-short)
- [Perfect competition, marginal analysis, short-run firm decisions](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698641e7f157a20a002dd430&type=frq-3-short)

### Unit 4: Imperfect Competition (10)
- [Game theory payoff matrix and Nash equilibrium](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=697151e70348173ef3023de3&type=frq-3-short)
- [Duopoly pricing strategies and Nash equilibrium](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698637cbf157a20a002dd321&type=frq-3-short)
- [Monopoly pricing and profit maximization](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6986389df157a20a002dd335&type=frq-3-short)
- [Duopoly pricing strategies and competitive equilibrium](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698638d8f157a20a002dd33c&type=frq-3-short)
- [Monopoly pricing and allocative efficiency analysis](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863925f157a20a002dd342&type=frq-3-short)
- [Duopoly pricing strategies and market equilibrium](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698639b5f157a20a002dd352&type=frq-3-short)
- [Oligopoly pricing strategies and dominant strategies](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863b4df157a20a002dd376&type=frq-3-short)
- [Monopoly pricing, profit maximization, allocative efficiency](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863bb8f157a20a002dd383&type=frq-3-short)
- [Monopoly pricing, marginal analysis, economic profit](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863c40f157a20a002dd38e&type=frq-3-short)
- [Monopoly competition, strategic game theory decisions](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6ab28eb4a7149090b6e7e1ca&type=frq-3-short)

### Unit 5: Factor Markets (16)
- [Marginal revenue product and profit maximization](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=697150f00348173ef3023dde&type=frq-3-short)
- [Perfect competition labor market hiring decisions](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863f9ff157a20a002dd3ee&type=frq-3-short)
- [Firm labor hiring decisions in perfect competition](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863fbff157a20a002dd3f4&type=frq-3-short)
- [Marginal revenue product and profit maximization decisions](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863fe5f157a20a002dd3f9&type=frq-3-short)
- [Marginal revenue product and profit-maximizing labor hiring decisions](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864047f157a20a002dd404&type=frq-3-short)
- [Labor productivity and diminishing marginal returns in production](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864068f157a20a002dd407&type=frq-3-short)
- [Perfect competition, marginal revenue product, profit maximization](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864098f157a20a002dd40d&type=frq-3-short)
- [Firm labor demand and profit maximization](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698640fcf157a20a002dd418&type=frq-3-short)
- [Profit maximization through marginal revenue product analysis](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864130f157a20a002dd41c&type=frq-3-short)
- [Marginal revenue product and profit maximization](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864188f157a20a002dd427&type=frq-3-short)
- [Perfect competition: labor hiring and profit maximization](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698641bcf157a20a002dd42f&type=frq-3-short)
- [Profit maximization in competitive labor markets](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698641e7f157a20a002dd431&type=frq-3-short)
- [Profit maximization through labor market decisions](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864222f157a20a002dd434&type=frq-3-short)
- [Marginal revenue product and profit maximization decisions](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864254f157a20a002dd436&type=frq-3-short)
- [Profit maximization in competitive labor markets](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864280f157a20a002dd439&type=frq-3-short)
- [Labor demand and marginal revenue product optimization](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6ab29092a7149090b6e7e1eb&type=frq-3-short)

### Unit 6: Market Failure and the Role of Government (28)
- [Market equilibrium, deadweight loss, externalities](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=697150a50348173ef3023ddb&type=frq-3-short)
- [Market equilibrium, externalities, and deadweight loss](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6971517e0348173ef3023de1&type=frq-3-short)
- [Monopoly pricing, profit maximization, allocative efficiency](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863863f157a20a002dd32f&type=frq-3-short)
- [Monopoly pricing and profit maximization analysis](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6986397bf157a20a002dd34c&type=frq-3-short)
- [Monopoly pricing, output, and profit maximization](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698639f6f157a20a002dd356&type=frq-3-short)
- [Monopoly pricing and profit maximization](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863bf7f157a20a002dd388&type=frq-3-short)
- [Monopoly pricing and economic profit maximization](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863c92f157a20a002dd397&type=frq-3-short)
- [Monopoly pricing, profit maximization, allocative efficiency](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863cc2f157a20a002dd39c&type=frq-3-short)
- [Monopoly pricing and profit maximization](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863cebf157a20a002dd3a0&type=frq-3-short)
- [Monopoly pricing, marginal revenue, economic profit](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69863d22f157a20a002dd3a7&type=frq-3-short)
- [Equilibrium price, quantity, and consumer surplus analysis](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864178f157a20a002dd425&type=frq-3-short)
- [Externalities, market equilibrium, and optimal taxation](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6986417df157a20a002dd426&type=frq-3-short)
- [Negative externalities in cement production markets](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698641b0f157a20a002dd42d&type=frq-3-short)
- [Negative externalities and market inefficiency](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698641f1f157a20a002dd432&type=frq-3-short)
- [Externalities and market inefficiency in vaccine production](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6986422cf157a20a002dd435&type=frq-3-short)
- [Negative externalities and market inefficiency in chemical production](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864290f157a20a002dd43a&type=frq-3-short)
- [Negative externalities and market inefficiency in perfect competition](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698642b8f157a20a002dd43b&type=frq-3-short)
- [External costs and market inefficiency in production](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698642eef157a20a002dd43c&type=frq-3-short)
- [Negative externalities and market deadweight loss](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864323f157a20a002dd43e&type=frq-3-short)
- [Negative externalities and market deadweight loss](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6986439cf157a20a002dd43f&type=frq-3-short)
- [Negative externalities and market efficiency loss](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698643c6f157a20a002dd440&type=frq-3-short)
- [Market equilibrium, externalities, and socially optimal quantity](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698643fdf157a20a002dd441&type=frq-3-short)
- [Market equilibrium versus socially optimal production quantity](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864421f157a20a002dd442&type=frq-3-short)
- [Negative externalities in competitive cement markets](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=69864460f157a20a002dd443&type=frq-3-short)
- [Market externalities and deadweight loss in paint production](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6986448af157a20a002dd444&type=frq-3-short)
- [Market externalities and deadweight loss analysis](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698644b4f157a20a002dd445&type=frq-3-short)
- [Externalities, market equilibrium, deadweight loss](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=698644e0f157a20a002dd446&type=frq-3-short)
- [Tariffs, trade, and domestic market equilibrium](/ap-micro/frq-practice?id=6ab28ec3a7149090b6e7e1cf&type=frq-3-short)

## Sample question

**Absolute advantage, comparative advantage, opportunity cost**

Country A and Country B produce two goods, Wheat and Corn, using equal amounts of resources. The table below shows the maximum daily output of each good for each country if they devote all their resources to the production of that good. Assume constant opportunity costs for both countries.

Data Tables:
  Caption: Maximum Daily Output
  Headers: Country | Wheat (bushels) | Corn (bushels)
  Country A | 60 | 30
  Country B | 20 | 40

Part A (1 point):
  Prompt: Which country has the absolute advantage in the production of Wheat? Explain.
  Verb: explain

Part B (1 point):
  Prompt: Calculate the opportunity cost of producing one bushel of Corn in Country A. Show your work.
  Verb: calculate

Part C (1 point):
  Prompt: Which country has the comparative advantage in the production of Corn? Explain using numbers.
  Verb: explain

Part D (1 point):
  Prompt: Assume the countries agree to trade 1 bushel of Corn for 1 bushel of Wheat. Would this trade be beneficial for Country A? Explain.
  Verb: explain

Part E (1 point):
  Prompt: Suppose Country A decides to produce 40 bushels of Wheat. Calculate the maximum number of bushels of Corn it can produce with the remaining resources. Show your work.
  Verb: calculate

## Questions

**How many responses can I get scored?**

You can read every question without a plan. Your first scored response is included. A plan unlocks unlimited scoring.

**What does FRQ 3 usually cover?**

One model, such as costs and profit, elasticity, a price control, an externality, or game theory. Most parts ask for one result each.

**How is FRQ 3 different from FRQ 2?**

On the exam both short questions are worth 5 points, with about 12 to 15 minutes suggested for each. Most of our FRQ 3 questions have five 1-point parts, and our FRQ 2 questions end with a 3-point part C.

**Is every FRQ 3 split the same way?**

Most have five parts worth 1 point each. Some have four parts, with one of them worth 2 points.

**Do I need to show my work?**

Yes, on any part that says calculate. Write the setup first, then the numbers. A four-function calculator is built into the writing screen.

## Related

- [Question 3 Short FRQ exam guide](/ap-micro/ap-microeconomics-exam/ap-micro-frq-short/study-guide/ap-micro-frq-short)
- [AP Microeconomics Long FRQ practice](/ap-micro/frqs/long-frq)
- [AP Microeconomics Question 2 Short FRQ practice](/ap-micro/frqs/short-frq-2)
- [AP Microeconomics FRQs](/ap-micro/frqs)
- Any question by id: the `get_frq` tool on the [Fiveable MCP server](/mcp/docs)

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