APES - What to Expect and Percentages of AP Environmental Exam (Lesson)
What to Expect and Percentages of AP Environmental Exam
General Overview
It's time to get ready for the AP Environmental Science College Board Exam. The AP Environmental Science Exam assesses student understanding of the science practices and learning objectives outlined in the course framework.
The exam is 2 hours and 40 minutes long and includes 80 multiple-choice questions and 3 free-response questions.
Join AP Classroom
If you haven't already, join AP Classroom. Ask your instructor for their Join Code so that you have access to review materials developed directly from College Board.
Once you have the code, you can go to this link to join: AP Classroom Links to an external site.
Multiple Choice
There are 80 multiple choice questions on the College Board Exam. You will have 90 minutes to complete these questions. This section is worth 60% of your exam score.
The breakdown of Multiple Choice topics on the exam is as follows:
- Unit 1: The Living World Ecosystems 6-8%
- Unit 2: The Living World Biodiversity 6-8%
- Unit 3: Populations 10-15%
- Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources 10-15%
- Unit 5: Land and Water Use 10-15%
- Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption 10-15%
- Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution 7-10%
- Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution 7-10%
- Unit 9: Global Change 15-20%
Free-Response Questions
The second section of the AP Environmental Science Exam includes three free-response questions that must be completed in 70 minutes. This section is worth 40% of your exam score.
FREE-RESPONSE QUESTION 1
Design an investigation presents students with an authentic environmental scenario accompanied by either a model/visual representation or quantitative data and may assess student ability to:
- Describe and/or explain environmental concepts, processes, and models presented in written format
- Analyze visual representations or data
- Analyze research studies that test environmental principles
- Describe environmental problems and/or potential responses
FREE-RESPONSE QUESTION 2
Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution presents students with an authentic environmental scenario accompanied by either a model/visual representation or quantitative data and may assess student ability to:
- Describe and/or explain environmental concepts, processes, and models presented in written format
- Analyze visual representations or data
- Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems
FREE-RESPONSE QUESTION 3
Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations presents students with an authentic environmental scenario and may assess student ability to:
- Describe or environmental concepts, processes, and models presented in written format
- Apply quantitative methods to address environmental concepts
- Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems
Calculators Are Allowed; Show Your Work!
A four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator is allowed on both sections of the exam. Make sure you have the correct type of calculator and use it to do/check your work.
Even though you are allowed a calculator, you MUST show all work and units on Free Response Questions to receive the most points. You may have to use the calculator for Multiple Choice Questions, but you aren't required to show work for those.
AP College Board Exam Details: Must Read!
Follow both of the links below to learn more about the exam.
College Board AP Environmental Science: About the Course Links to an external site.
Exam Overview Links to an external site.
Self-check (Free Response Question (FRQ) Sample)
The Colorado River runs 1,450 miles from the headwaters of the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of California. The river has many dams, aqueducts, and canals that divert water in order to supply water for electricity, irrigation, recreation, and domestic use.
a) Describe and discuss two environmental problems that are associated with water diversion.
b) If there is a shortage of water, choices will have to be made as to whether water should be diverted to urban areas, agricultural areas, or natural ecosystems. Make an argument for diverting water for urban consumption and an argument for permitting the flow of water to natural areas.
c) Identify another example (other than the Colorado River) of a large-scale water-diversion project. Discuss two environmental problems that have resulted, or might result, from this project.
Click Here for a Self-Assessment FRQ Answer Key Links to an external site.
It is important that you have a good understanding of how to prepare a free-response essay. You will have four FRQ's that must be completed in 90 minutes (approximately 22 minutes each). Click here to download FRQ Tips for suggestions on how to improve your writing. Links to an external site. Remember that you will NOT be able to use a calculator on the AP exam, so sharpen your math skills before the exam!
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