IN THIS CHAPTER
Summary: Learn background information on the AP Human Geography program, the AP Human Geography exam, and how the exam is scored. Learn about the two types of test questions, the topics tested, and test-taking tips.
Key Ideas
Many colleges and universities award credit for exam scores of 3 and above; others give credit only for exam scores of 4 or 5.
Multiple-choice questions reflect content areas based on the seven major themes of AP Human Geography.
Free-response essay questions require synthesis and application of two or more topics from the seven major themes of AP Human Geography.
In 1955 the College Board introduced the Advanced Placement program to give high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school. The AP program now serves over 2.3 million enterprising high school students. Thirty different AP courses are now offered with AP exams administered every May. The first AP Human Geography exam was given in 2001, and the number of students successfully taking this exam has exponentially expanded. The AP exam is offered in many subjects in social studies besides human geography, including European history, world history, US history, US government and politics, comparative government, microeconomics, macroeconomics, and psychology.
The AP Human Geography exam is written by high school, college, and university instructors who actually teach introductory-level human geography in their schools. A committee called the Test Development Committee meets to select and refine exam questions. The questions are finally field-tested before they are included on the AP Human Geography exam. Multiple-choice questions on the AP Human Geography exam are scored electronically; the free-response questions are scored by a group of high school, college, and university instructors, who meet in a central location in June following the May administration of the exam. Each reader, as these instructors are called, is carefully checked and evaluated during the entire scoring process (called a reading) to ensure accuracy and consistency of scoring. In this way, each AP Human Geography test-taker is guaranteed a fair exam scoring process.
The exam tests your knowledge of the seven major themes of human geography—(1) geographical concepts and skills, (2) population, (3) culture, (4) the political organization of space, (5) agricultural and rural land use, (6) industrialization and economic development, and (7) cities and urban development. This guide will help you review the main ideas, models, terms, and concepts you will need to know to score well on the exam.
The exam consists of two sections—multiple-choice and free-response questions (FRQs). There are 75 multiple-choice questions in Section I of the exam and three free-response questions in Section II of the exam. Each of these two sections accounts for half of your exam grade. You should expect to interpret maps, graphs, charts, photographs, and tables on both sections of the exam.
The exam is timed, and you will be given 60 minutes to answer the 75 multiple-choice questions in Section I and 75 minutes to answer the three free-response questions in Section II. There will be a 5-minute break between exam sections. In Chapters 3 and 4 of this book, you’ll find some tips on how to pace yourself on both sections so you have enough time to attempt all the questions.
The test questions will be divided among the different topics in the following percentages:
There are 75 multiple-choice questions on the first section of the exam. Your score is based on the total number of multiple-choice questions you answer correctly. That means that you should definitely take a guess and try not to leave any answers blank! Your goal is to get as many correct answers as possible. There is no longer any penalty for guessing as was the case in previous years. Try to get at least 50 of the 75 multiple-choice answers correct—that will help give you a score of 4 or 5 on the exam.
The three free-response essay questions on the exam will be worth from 6 to 12 points each. You will not know how many points each question is worth, however. Your goal is to read very carefully each word in each sentence of the questions and answer the questions completely and in detail. When the essays are scored, the readers will look for specific concepts, explanations, and descriptions in your answer. If you do not give the correct information, you will not receive points. If you give the correct information in excellent detail, you will receive the maximum points allowed for that part of the essay question. A “somewhat correct but not quite complete” response will earn you a smaller number of points. The reader grading your exam will add up your points. The total points you earned on all three essays need to add up to at least 60 percent of the total available points for you to earn a 4 or a 5 on the overall exam.
The results of both multiple-choice section and the free-response section are combined and the total raw score is converted to a composite score from 1 to 5 on the Advanced Placement 5-point scale below. When you receive your exam score in early July, it will be a number from 1 to 5. These scores mean:
• 5–Extremely well qualified
• 4–Well qualified
• 3–Qualified
• 2–Possibly qualified
• 1–No recommendation
Check with the admissions offices of the colleges and universities you are interested in attending and ask for their policy regarding awarding of credit for the AP Human Geography exam. Most colleges also post this information on their Web sites. The chances are very good that a score of 4 or 5 will provide either introductory geography or general education credit and save you the time and expense of taking those credits at a much higher cost! Your freshman year will be very busy, and you will want to save your time for classes that are in your major course of study. If you earned a score of 3 on the exam, do not despair! Many schools also give credit for a 3 so be sure and check! Even if you don’t earn credit, the experience of doing college-level work while still in high school is very valuable. It helps freshman students adjust more quickly to the increased rigors of a heavier college course load.
Your high school will register you and administer the exam. Check with your AP Human Geography teacher or guidance counselor to make sure you are registered to take it in May.
If you are being homeschooled, you will need to find a local high school that is willing to proctor the exam for you. Your parents will need to contact the local school guidance counselor or principal and make the necessary arrangements. Do this early—preferably in January, so you do not miss the sign-up deadline in March. The high school does not have to actually teach AP Human Geography in order to allow you to take the exam there. Anyone who administers any AP exam at the school can proctor it for you!
The current cost of the AP exam is $89; the fee usually increases a little each year. Pay the fee when you register to take the exam. If you live in Florida or Texas, your school will cover the cost of the exam for you. Other states and school districts may also offer assistance with fees, so please ask! If needed, ask your school guidance counselor if there is financial assistance available to help you pay for the exam.
You should bring the following items:
1. Number-two pencils—several sharp ones to fill in the multiple-choice bubbles on the score sheet.
2. An eraser.
3. Pens (blue or black ink only) for the free-response essay section. They do not smear like pencils. Do not use gel pens, as they smear.
4. Bring a watch so you can plan your exam time in case there is no wall clock in the exam room. No beeper alarms are permitted, however!
5. Bring a government-issued or school ID and your social security number for exam entrance and registration purposes.
6. Bring a warm garment such as sweatshirt or sweater in case the exam room is chilly.
7. Bring a snack, bottle of water, and required medications. You will have a short 5-minute break.
These items cannot be brought to the exam:
1. Cell phones or any electronic device (unless approved for exam-taking purposes).
2. Books, highlighters, rulers, correction fluid, or any other office supplies.
3. Calculators.
4. Portable music players and devices.
5. Timers or other devices that beep.
In early July, your exam score will be mailed to you, your school, and the college(s) you selected. You can call 1-888-308-0013 in late June and receive your score early for a small fee if you just cannot wait! If you call, you will need to provide your social security number and AP number.
If you would like additional information on AP Human Geography or want to register for the exam, contact:
AP Services
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6671
Princeton, NJ 08541–6671
Phone: (609) 771-7300 or (877) 274-6474
E-mail: apexams@info.collegeboard.org
Web site: www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html
or www.apcentral.collegeboard.com.