Introduction
One of the toughest parts of AP U.S. Government and Politics is memorizing the required Supreme Court cases. With 15 landmark decisions that cover constitutional principles, federalism, civil liberties, and civil rights, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
The good news? You don’t need to memorize every detail. You just need to remember the facts, holding, and significance of each case. This guide will walk you through fast strategies to lock them in your memory and help you use them effectively on the exam.
Why Court Cases Matter on the AP Gov Exam
- Multiple Choice Questions: Cases may appear as examples of constitutional principles.
- FRQs: You might be asked to compare two cases, explain the constitutional principle, or apply a case to a new scenario.
- Free Points: If you know your cases well, they can be some of the easiest questions to score on.
RevisionDojo emphasizes that court cases are low-effort, high-reward topics when studied with the right techniques.
The 15 Required AP Gov Cases
Here’s the full list you need to know:
- Marbury v. Madison (1803) – Established judicial review.
- McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) – Confirmed federal supremacy.
- U.S. v. Lopez (1995) – Limited Congress’s commerce power.
- Baker v. Carr (1962) – One person, one vote principle.
- Shaw v. Reno (1993) – No racial gerrymandering.
- Engel v. Vitale (1962) – No school-sponsored prayer.
- Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) – Free exercise of religion in education.
