IN THIS CHAPTER
Summary: Your review for the AP Human Geography exam depends on your study habits and how much time you have to review before the exam.
Key Ideas
Choose the study plan that is best suited to your needs!
The type of exam-review program you choose to use is up to you. No one knows you better than you! Think about how you study, how much time you have to review for the exam, and what you like and dislike doing. Look over the following three study plans and find the one that will suit your study habits and time frame best. Don’t hesitate to adapt any of these plans specifically to your needs.
You’re a full-school-year prep student if:
1. You really love human geography.
2. You plan to major in geography in college.
3. You like to get things done and never put off doing your work.
4. You make an outline, a to-do list, or a schedule to plan your work.
5. You must be prepared for this exam—it is imperative!
6. You totally agree that “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!”
If this is you, choose Plan A!
You’re a one-semester prep student if:
1. Human geography is kind of interesting to you.
2. Most of the time you plan your work in advance.
3. You like to know what to expect, but don’t get too shook up by surprises.
4. You are never late for appointments.
5. You want to do well on the test but feel that starting to review too early wouldn’t help you much. At the same time, you don’t like to leave things to the last minute.
If this fits you, consider Plan B.
You’re a six-week prep student if:
1. Human geography interests you a bit.
2. You thrive on tight deadlines.
3. You work well under pressure.
4. You feel adequately prepared already for the exam.
5. You don’t mind surprises and don’t feel a lot of pressure to do well on the test.
6. This planning approach has worked for you well in the past.
If this planning approach describes you, consider Plan C.
Check out the following calendars for plans A, B, and C. One of these plans will fit your time frame and learning style. Once you choose a review plan, commit to it and follow through!
Plan A: You Have a Year to Review
Check off the activities as you complete them.
SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER
— Decide which review plan you need.
— Read Chapter 1 of this book.
— Check out the diagnostic test in Chapter 3 to get a feel for what is expected of you on the AP Human Geography exam.
— Go to the College Board’s AP Web site. Check it out and become informed.
— Begin to study the Step Four section of this guide.
— Read some of the books on the suggested reading list in the back of this guide.
— Familiarize yourself with this book as a resource to prepare for the exam.
NOVEMBER
— Read Chapter 5 of this guide to begin to prepare for the free-response questions on the AP Human Geography exam.
— Keep reading the books on the suggested reading list at the back of this guide.
— Read and study the human geography review sections of this book that match the subjects you are studying in your AP class.
— Learn and review maps and locations using the review games and activities in the list at the back of this guide.
DECEMBER
— Review the human geography sections in this guide that match what you have already covered in class.
— Keep reading the suggested books on the reading list for valuable background information for the exam.
— Keep practicing map interpretation skills using the Web sites and review activities listed at the back of this guide.
JANUARY
— Choose two essay questions at the end of each chapter in your AP Human Geography textbook that you have covered so far this year. Close your book and give yourself 20 minutes to write accurate and thorough short essays to answer the questions.
— Join a study group of fellow students to review for the AP exam (or start such a group yourself!).
— Keep reading books and magazines about the world and human geography.
— Study the sections in this guide that correspond to the material you are currently covering in class.
— Spend an hour or two each week practicing map interpretation and review games and activities.
FEBRUARY–MARCH
— Write essays for the free-response questions from the diagnostic test in Chapter 3.
— Continue reviewing content from Chapters 6 through 12 in this book.
— Read Chapter 4 on the multiple-choice section.
— Take the multiple-choice section in the diagnostic test.
— Review the list of models and their creators at the back of this guide.
APRIL
— Take Practice Test 1 (Chapter 13) in the first week of April.
— Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. What topics are you unclear about? What don’t you really understand?
— Go back and study the chapters with topics you didn’t completely understand to improve your knowledge.
— Review the key terms for Chapters 6 through 12 in this guide to review key concepts, theories, and content.
— Scan the glossary at the back of this guide. Make sure you understand and can use each term correctly.
FIRST TWO WEEKS OF MAY—YOU’RE ALMOST THERE!
— List concepts, theories, and terms you are unsure of and ask your teacher to explain them.
— Take Practice Test 2 (Chapter 14).
— How did you do? Where is there room for improvement? What concepts are still unclear?
— Review concepts, etc. in your book and in this guide that are still unclear to you.
— On the day before the exam, stop reviewing and do something fun! Of course, go to bed early and try to get a good night’s sleep.
— Walk into the examination room with a confident smile on your face! You will do well! You had a plan, and you followed it.
Plan B: You Have One Semester to Review
Check off the activities as you complete them.
JANUARY–FEBRUARY
— Read Chapters 1, 4, and 5 of this guide very carefully.
— Take the diagnostic test.
— Read and study the parts of this review guide that relate to material you have already covered in class.
— Read one or two books from the suggested reading list at the back of this guide.
— Go to at least one of the Web sites suggested for map review in this guide. Spend an hour or two each week playing map interpretation and review games and activities.
MARCH
— Review the human geography content sections in this guide that cover the material you have already studied in class.
— Ask your fellow students to form a study group with you to review for the exam. Meet weekly or at least twice a month.
— In your study group, practice writing essays to respond to the free-response questions on the AP Human Geography exam.
APRIL
— Take Practice Test 1 (Chapter 13) during the first week of April.
— Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. What do you know well? What was unclear?
— Study the concepts and content areas in which you need more knowledge.
— Review the key terms in each chapter of this guide to review.
FIRST TWO WEEKS OF MAY—YOU’RE PRACTICALLY DONE!
— Ask your teacher for explanations of any concepts or models that you are still unclear on.
— Review the concepts, vocabulary, models, etc., in your book and in this guide that are still unclear to you.
— Take Practice Test 2 (Chapter 14).
— Score your answers and find where you made mistakes. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. What topics are you unclear about? What don’t you really understand?
— On the day before the exam, stop reviewing and do something fun! Of course, go to bed early and try to get a good night’s sleep.
— Walk into the examination room with a confident smile on your face! You will do well! You had a plan, and you followed it.
Plan C: You Have Six Weeks to Review
Check off the activities as you complete them.
APRIL
— Read Chapters 1, 4, and 5 of this guide.
— Take the diagnostic test (Chapter 3).
— Review areas you are weak in.
— Read all the human geography review chapters in this guide (Chapters 6 through 12).
— Take Practice Test 1 (Chapter 13).
— Score your exam and analyze your mistakes.
— Form a weekly review group with your friends.
— Review the glossary and make sure you understand all the terms.
MAY
— Complete Practice Test 2 (Chapter 14).
— Score your exam and analyze your mistakes.
— Read any remaining human geography review chapters in this guide that you have not covered.
— Review Step Three (Chapters 4 and 5) regarding strategies for multiple-choice and free-response essay questions.
— Go to at least one of the Web sites suggested for map review in this guide. Spend an hour or two each week playing map interpretation and review games and activities.
— On the day before the exam, stop reviewing and do something fun! Go to bed early!
— Walk into the examination room with a confident smile on your face! You will do well! You had a plan, and you followed it.