UT AUSTIN TEST ON TEXAS GOVERNMENT

(A required supplement to scores from the College Board Advanced Placement Examination or from the CLEP Subject Examination in American Government)

General Policy Information for the Academic Year 2009-2010*

Your AP score report will give only your score on the AP Examination in United States Government and Politics. Your CLEP score report will give only your score on the CLEP American Government examination. Before your eligibility for GOV 310L credit can be determined, you must arrange to take the UT Austin Test on Texas Government, which is offered only on the UT Austin campus. An official copy of your AP or CLEP score must be on file with DIIA-Student Testing Services before you may take the UT Austin Test on Texas Government. You must register online for the UT Austin Test on Texas Government. When you confirm your registration to take the UT Austin Test on Texas Government, you will be immediately billed a non-refundable registration fee of $15.

Eligibility for Credit by Examination in Government 310L
To be eligible for credit by examination, you must not already have a passing or failing grade in GOV 310L or an equivalent course.

UT Austin Test on Texas Government
The twenty multiple-choice questions in this test cover the politics and government of the state of Texas. The questions are very similar to the questions in the CLEP examination. The subject matter of these items is devoted exclusively to Texas politics and government and includes questions on the following:

• State government organization and powers - 40%
• Political parties and elections - 10%
• Social-economic environment - 10%
• Constitution and local government - 20%
• Policies, including state finance - 20%

If you do not earn credit for GOV 310L after taking the UT Austin Test on Texas Government, you must wait at least six months before attempting again to earn credit by taking the CLEP Subject Examination in American Government and the UT Austin Test on Texas Government.

Reading Suggestions

Although the test questions are not based on a specific textbook, any one of the following books should be helpful in preparing for the examination:

• Richard H. Kraemer, Charldean Newell, & David F. Prindle, "The Essentials of Texas Politics" (10th Edition, Wadsworth Publishing)

Sample Questions

1. Which of the following constitutional powers enables the Texas governor to exercise the most control over Texas government?
   1. the power to appoint top constitutional officers
   2. the power to prepare the budget
   3. the power to dismiss executive officials
   4. the power to veto legislation
2. Appointment to committees in the Texas House of Representatives is primarily determined by
   1. party membership.
   2. the wishes of the majority party caucus.
   3. the wishes of the Speaker.
   4. election by the membership of the House.

Answer Key to Sample Questions

1. D
2. C

*POLICIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE