About AP® Human Geography Exam

In AP® Human Geography (AP HUG), students study the factors and processes that have influenced the use of spatial theories and landscape analysis to look into social and economic structures and how they affect the environment. In essence, AP HUG delves into the fascinating connections between people and the places they live, along with the methods and technologies used by geographers to discover these connections.

Our AP Human Geography exam guide will help you understand the course, the exam, and its format. By the end of this post, you’ll know whether AP Human Geo is the right fit for your college and career plans. Let’s get started!

What Is AP Human Geography Equivalent to & Who Can Take It?

AP Human Geography is equivalent to an introductory college-level course in human geography or cultural geography. In most colleges, HUG is classified as a social science class.

AP HUG is typically taken by 9th or 10th grade students, and requires no prerequisites. However, students enrolling in the course should be comfortable reading college-level textbooks and writing well-structured sentences.

What Is on the AP Human Geography Exam?

The AP HUG exam assesses students on two aspects: their knowledge of the subject and the units covered during the course, and the skills they’ve acquired while studying these units. Each unit is further divided into multiple topics, which you can learn about in our AP Human Geography course description guide.

AP Human Geography consists of themes based on the National Geography Standards, published in 1994 and updated in 2012. The AP Human Geography curriculum focuses on five college-level skills. Listed below is an outline of the five skill categories and associated skills that AP Human Geography students must master. These skills serve as the foundation for AP exam tasks, and successful completion of the course ensures an understanding of:

Concepts and Processes: Analyze geospatial data and interpretation of maps
Spatial Relationships: Understand and explain spatial associations and networks
Data Analysis: Identify and interpret patterns and processes at distinct scales
Source Analysis: Defining and assessing regions
Scale Analysis: Analyze the changing connections between places

The exam also tests a student’s knowledge of the three “Big Ideas” of the course themes. The big ideas are the course's foundation, helping students make authentic learning connections. These big ideas are often abstract concepts or course themes. The AP HUG “Big Ideas” are as follows:

Patterns and Spatial Organization (PSO):
Human society's spatial patterns and organization are based on political, historical, cultural, and economic factors.
Impacts and Interactions (IMP):

People, their environments, and historical and contemporary behavioral patterns have complex cause-and-effect relationships.
Spatial Process and Societal Change (SPS):
A spatial perspective examines how phenomena are related in specific places to examine human organization and their relationship to the environment.

The course material is organized into seven units of AP Human Geography, each with its respective weight on the AP exam:

Units Tested	Exam Weight
Unit 1: Thinking Geographically	8–10 %
Unit 2: Population and Migration Patterns and Processes	12–17 %
Unit 3: Cultural Patterns and Processes	12–17 %
Unit 4: Political Patterns and Processes	12–17 %
Unit 5: Agriculture and Rural Land-Use Patterns and Processes	12–17 %
Unit 6: Cities and Urban Land-Use Patterns and Processes	12–17 %
Unit 7: Industrial and Economic Development Patterns and Processes	12–17 %

AP Human Geography Exam Format for 2024

The AP HUG exam tests students' understanding of course skills and objectives. It is two hours and fifteen minutes long and is divided into two parts: multiple-choice (MCQ) and free-response (FRQ) questions. Each section accounts for 50% of the overall exam grade.

Sections	Question Types	Time Allocated	Weight
Section I	60 MCQs	60 minutes	50%
Section II	3 FRQs	75 minutes	50%

Let us explore each of these question types.

Section I: Multiple-choice (MCQ)

MCQs have five answer choices and two types: Individual and set-based questions (5 to 8 sets of two to three questions each). You will be expected to do the following in this section:

Interpret maps and spatial data.
Demonstrate a solid understanding of how the world appears from a spatial standpoint.
Analyze patterns and processes at various scales.
Recognize various regions
Characterize and examine changing interactions between locations.

Section II: Free-response (FRQ)

The free-response part of the AP Human Geography test has three questions, each of which tests at least two units. It requires you to make connections between different subject areas and to analyze and evaluate geographical ideas. Verbal descriptions, maps, graphs, photos, and diagrams may be used as question prompts. Your essays must show analytical and organizational skills. Answer each question as it is structured; points are given for sub-parts, not the overall answer.

Why take AP Human Geography?

Taking AP Human Geography can prepare you for college-level coursework, boost your college readiness, potentially save on tuition costs, and provide a strong academic foundation for your future studies. According to the College Board®, AP Human Geography is the most popular course taken by students in their 9th and 10th grades. 53% of the 221,815 students who took the AP HUG exam in 2022 earned a score of 3 or higher.

Let’s explore how taking AP Human Geography can benefit you:

AP Courses Readiness: AP HUG is designed to give you a taste of AP without being too difficult. Because there are usually no other AP courses to worry about, this is a great way for freshmen to adjust to the higher-level curriculum in high school.
College Readiness: Some schools give more weight to AP courses than pre-AP or regular courses when calculating GPA. So, if you take AP Human Geography as a freshman, you will be ahead of your other classmates. According to College Board research, students who score 3 or higher on AP exams have greater academic success in college and higher graduation rates.
College Credits: Taking AP courses allows you to earn college credit while in high school. Passing the AP Human Geography exam can earn you up to three hours of college credit.
Tuition Savings: Students who enter college with pre-earned credits can save money on tuition and have the opportunity to graduate early or explore more advanced courses or courses outside of their major.
Strong Foundation: AP HUG prepares you for an introductory human geography course in college. It will boost your confidence and skills for harder classes. You will have adapted to college's pace, giving you an advantage.

Should I Take AP Human Geography?

Taking AP Human Geography is a good option for students who wish to develop critical thinking, analytical, and research skills, while also deepening their understanding of the world and fostering their interest in geography and global affairs. AP HUG provides insights into the interconnectedness of the world, helping students understand how human societies, cultures, and economies interact on a global scale. This knowledge is increasingly important in an interconnected and globalized world. The course also emphasizes the analysis of patterns and processes at different scales, helping you develop strong analytical skills that can be applied in various contexts.

Overall, AP Human Geography can offer you a broader perspective on the world, equip you with valuable skills, and nurture a deeper curiosity about the complexities of human geography and the global landscape.

What kind of student succeeds in AP HUG?

They ask "why" things happen or work.
They enjoy reading.
They link seemingly unrelated things.
They enjoy social studies courses and topics.
They use time well.
They understand cause and effect.

Is AP Human Geography Hard?

AP Human Geography is often regarded as one of the more approachable AP classes, though it does require extensive preparation. In high school, you must choose whether or not to take AP classes every year. Some high school students aim to complete as many AP courses as possible to earn college credits, while others opt for just a few.

Compared to other AP courses, AP Human Geography is generally considered less challenging. The AP HUG exam’s pass rate of 54% also demonstrates a healthy success rate, especially since it's often the first AP exam students take. However, it's worth noting that AP HUG is on par with a college-level course and can be demanding without a consistent study plan and regular practice.

The following is the AP Human Geography exam’s score distribution information:

Graph view
Question 2
Table View

AP Score	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
5	16 %	14.9 %	15 %	11.6 %	11 %
4	20 %	18.7 %	20 %	22.1 %	18 %
3	18 %	19.6 %	19 %	24.5 %	20 %
2	14 %	15.0 %	16 %	10.9 %	17 %
1	32 %	31.8 %	31 %	30.9 %	34 %

Did you know?
In 2023, only 16% of students scored a 5.

AP Human Geography Review Tips

Make sure to incorporate the following strategies during your AP exam prep:

Before writing your responses, plan them out. This helps you organize your thoughts, determine the question's parts, and compare individuals or occurrences that may be required to respond accurately.
Incorporate evidence into your response. Before responding, examine any relevant maps, charts, graphs, or diagrams. Consider how any evidence from the course relates to the question. Do they present contradictory information? Evaluate how many illustrations or explanations are required for you to explain your answer with clarity.
Explain the evidence. No paraphrasing! Compare the evidence, then state your purpose in an argument supported by data. Your response should display a thorough comprehension of the topic. Respond carefully. Make sure to use geographical terms, theories, and models that you learned throughout the year.
Practice. The most important thing is to practice answering FRQs. Practicing with exam-style questions will help you become acquainted with the FRQ rubric and develop your skill of analyzing a question and answering it to the point with clarity.

You will improve your GPA and ace your exam if you prepare with UWorld, take an AP Human Geography practice test, apply your course content knowledge and skills in the classroom, and follow a well-thought-out AP HUG study plan.

Frequently Answered Questions (FAQs)

What to bring to the AP Human Geography exam

You may bring the following items with you to the exam:

Two No. 2 pencils with erasers
Two black or dark blue ink pens
The AP Student Pack
Government or school-issued ID

Please refer to the AP Exam policies and accommodations to learn more about the do’s and don’ts on your AP exam day.

Where can I find past AP Human Geography exam questions?

Past AP Human Geography exams can be found on the College Board website.

When is the 2024 AP Human Geography exam?

The AP Human Geography 2024 exam will be conducted on Tuesday, May 7, at 8 a.m. local time.

What happens if you fail the AP Human Geography exam?

Failing the AP Human Geography exam does not have a direct impact on your high school grade point average (GPA). Your academic year’s curriculum will determine your GPA. Your AP exam score has no bearing on your overall course grade.

When do students usually take AP Human Geography?

AP Human Geography is usually taken in the 9th or 10th grade. Students are encouraged to take the course in 9th grade because it is a foundational course.

How much does the AP Human Geography exam cost?

Exams cost $97 in the United States, U.S. territories, Canada, and DoDEA schools. If you’re taking the test from outside these locations, it will cost you $127 per exam. Exams administered at College Board-authorized testing centers outside the United States incur varying fees.

References

(2023). Most Popular AP® Courses. College Board. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/about-ap/start-expand-ap-program/build/most-popular-ap-courses
Packer, T. (2023, June 29). 2023 AP Human Geography scores. Twitter. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from https://twitter.com/AP_Trevor/status/1674524783189295104?lang=en
(2020, Fall). AP® Human Geography Course and Exam Description. College Board. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-human-geography-course-and-exam-description.pdf