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.
- Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) – Student free speech rights.
- Schenck v. United States (1919) – Clear and present danger test.
- New York Times v. United States (1971) – Prior restraint limited.
- Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) – Right to an attorney.
- Roe v. Wade (1973) – Right to privacy, abortion rights.
- McDonald v. Chicago (2010) – 2nd Amendment applies to states.
- Brown v. Board of Education (1954) – Desegregation, equal protection.
- Citizens United v. FEC (2010) – Unlimited independent political spending.
Strategies to Memorize Cases Quickly
1. Use Mnemonics
Create short memory aids:
- “M&M” → Marbury & Madison = Judicial Review
- “Lopez Limited” → Lopez = Congress’s power is limited.
- “Tinker Think” → Students can express thoughts in school.
2. Group Cases by Theme
Instead of memorizing 15 separately, group them:
- Federalism: McCulloch, Lopez
- Civil Rights: Brown, Shaw, Baker
- Freedom of Speech/Press: Tinker, Schenck, New York Times
- Religion: Engel, Yoder
- Criminal Rights: Gideon, McDonald, Roe
3. Use Flashcards
On one side: Case name + year.
On the other: Facts, holding, significance.
RevisionDojo’s flashcard-style practice drills are perfect for this.
4. Storytelling Technique
Turn cases into a narrative:
- “Students Tinker in school, but prayer (Engel) is not allowed. However, Amish students (Yoder) are free to leave.”
This makes cases stick in your memory.
5. Practice Active Recall
Instead of re-reading, test yourself:
- Write “Brown v. Board” → Can you recall the amendment and outcome?
- Do this daily with 5–10 cases.
How to Use Cases on FRQs
AP Gov often asks you to compare two cases. Example:
Question: Compare Engel v. Vitale and Wisconsin v. Yoder in relation to the First Amendment.
Your response should:
- Identify the amendment.
- Explain Engel (no school prayer).
- Explain Yoder (free exercise protects Amish education).
- Show contrast → one limited government action, the other expanded religious freedom.
Knowing cause-effect relationships makes your essay strong.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Confusing similar cases: (Engel vs. Yoder, Brown vs. Shaw).
- Focusing too much on dates: You only need to know the year roughly, not exact.
- Writing vague summaries: You must explain the constitutional principle.
- Not practicing application: Memorization is step one—application is what earns points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to memorize the years of cases?
A: No, you just need to know the principle and major holding. The year is not required.
Q: How many cases are required for AP Gov?
A: 15 landmark Supreme Court cases.
Q: What’s the fastest way to study court cases?
A: Group them by theme and use active recall drills daily. RevisionDojo has case practice sets that mirror exam-style questions.
Q: Do I have to compare cases on the exam?
A: Yes, FRQs often ask you to compare two cases under the same constitutional principle.
Conclusion
Memorizing AP Gov court cases doesn’t have to be stressful. By using mnemonics, grouping, flashcards, and storytelling techniques, you’ll master them quickly and apply them effectively on FRQs.
If you want a guided study system with case comparisons, drills, and practice FRQs, check out RevisionDojo’s AP Gov prep resources—the smartest way to get a 5.
