How To Study For The AP® Human Geography Exam

AP® Human Geography (HUG) is an expansive course that explores the patterns and processes by which societies have interacted with the Earth's surface over time. Preparing for the AP HUG exam is a year-long process, but it is totally manageable when divided into small chunks. Our AP Human Geography study plan is here to guide you from the day you enroll in the course right up to your exam day, ensuring you're well-prepared every step of the way. Ready to start? Let's dive into your journey through human geography together!

How to Use This Plan to Study for AP Human Geography

Think of this AP Human Geography study plan as your ultimate guide to acing the exam. Start by familiarizing yourself with the exam format outlined in the plan to understand what types of questions (multiple-choice and free-response) you'll encounter. Use the practical strategies and helpful AP Human Geography exam tips provided for tackling these questions to guide your study sessions. Schedule regular review times to go through these strategies and apply them to practice questions. Additionally, take advantage of the structured methods and exam tips to enhance your understanding and retention of the material. Lastly, make sure to test your knowledge periodically with full-length practice exams to assess your progress and adjust your study approach as needed. With this balanced and user-friendly approach, you'll be well-equipped to excel on exam day.

What We'll Cover in This AP Human Geography Study Plan:

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Image and description of migration push and pull factors

Know What’s Tested: AP Human Geography Unit Content

The following unit skills information comes directly from the College Board®’s AP Human Geography Course and Exam Description.1 This section only reviews general content bullet points; however, for a truly comprehensive idea of everything covered in the class and test, check out UWorld’s AP Human Geography Course and Exam Description page.

Unit 1: Thinking Geographically

  • Introduction to Maps:
    • Identify various data types in maps, quantitative, and geospatial data.
  • Geographic Data:
    • Recognize different data types in maps, quantitative, and geospatial data.
  • The Power of Geographic Data:
    • Describe spatial patterns in maps, quantitative, and geospatial data.
  • Spatial Concepts:
    • Explain spatial patterns in maps, quantitative, and geospatial data.
  • Human–Environmental Interaction:
    • Elaborate on geographic concepts, processes, models, and theories.
  • Scales of Analysis:
    • Identify scales of analysis in maps, quantitative and geospatial data, images, and landscapes.
  • Regional Analysis:
    • Describe geographic concepts, processes, models, and theories.
  • Population Distribution:
    • Identify diverse data types in maps and quantitative, geospatial data.
  • Consequences of Population Distribution:
    • Explain likely outcomes in a geographic scenario using concepts, processes, models, or theories.
  • Population Composition:
    • Describe spatial patterns, networks, and relationships.
  • Population Dynamics:
    • Explain patterns and trends in maps and quantitative, geospatial data to draw conclusions.
  • Demographic Transition Model:
    • Describe spatial patterns in maps and quantitative, geospatial data.
  • Malthusian Theory:
    • Explain spatial relationships in a specified context or region of the world using geographic concepts, processes, models, or theories.
  • Population Policies:
    • Explain likely outcomes in a geographic scenario using concepts, processes, models, or theories.
  • Women and Demographic Change:
    • Describe spatial patterns in maps and quantitative, geospatial data.
  • Aging Populations:
    • Explain likely outcomes in a geographic scenario using concepts, processes, models, or theories.
  • Causes of Migration:
    • Explain spatial relationships in a specified context or region of the world using geographic concepts, processes, models, or theories.
  • Forced and Voluntary Migration:
    • Describe a relevant geographic concept, process, model, or theory in a specified context.
  • Effects of Migration:
    • Explain spatial relationships in a specified context or region of the world using geographic concepts, processes, models, or theories.
  • Introduction to Culture:
    • Identify various types of information in visual sources.
  • Cultural Landscapes:
    • Describe spatial patterns presented in visual sources.
  • Cultural Patterns:
    • Explain patterns and trends in visual sources to draw conclusions.
  • Types of Diffusion:
    • Describe relevant geographic concepts, processes, models, or theories in a specified context.
  • Historical Causes of Diffusion:
    • Explain likely outcomes in a geographic scenario using geographic concepts, processes, models, or theories.
  • Contemporary Causes of Diffusion:
    • Explain spatial relationships across various geographic scales using geographic concepts, processes, models, or theories.
  • Diffusion of Religion and Language:
    • Explain how maps, images, and landscapes illustrate or relate to geographic principles, processes, and outcomes.
  • Effects of Diffusion:
    • Explain spatial relationships in a specified context or region of the world using geographic concepts, processes, models, or theories.
  • Introduction to Political Geography:
    • Identify different types of information in visual sources.
  • Political Processes:
    • Explain what maps or data imply or illustrate about geographic principles, processes, and outcomes.
  • Political Power and Territoriality:
    • Explain spatial relationships across various geographic scales using geographic concepts, processes, models, or theories.
  • Defining Political Boundaries:
    • Describe relevant geographic concepts, processes, models, or theories in a specified context.
  • The Function of Political Boundaries:
    • Explain the degree to which a geographic concept, process, model, or theory effectively explains geographic effects across various geographic scales.
  • Internal Boundaries:
    • Identify the scales of analysis presented by maps, quantitative and geospatial data, images, and landscapes.
  • Forms of Governance:
    • Describe spatial patterns, networks, and relationships.
  • Defining Devolutionary Factors:
    • Explain what maps or data imply or illustrate about geographic principles, processes, and outcomes.
  • Challenges to Sovereignty:
    • Compare geographic characteristics and processes at various scales.
  • Consequences of Centrifugal and Centripetal Forces:
    • Compare geographic characteristics and processes at various scales.
  • Introduction to Agriculture:
    • Explain the significance of geographic similarities and differences among different locations and/or at different times.
  • Settlement Patterns and Survey Methods:
    • Compare patterns and trends in visual sources to draw conclusions.
  • Agricultural Origins and Diffusions:
    • Explain spatial relationships in a specified context or region of the world using geographic concepts, processes, models, or theories.
  • The Second Agricultural Revolution:
    • Compare patterns and trends in visual sources to draw conclusions.
  • The Green Revolution:
    • Explain the significance of geographic similarities and differences among different locations and/or at different times.
  • Agricultural Production Regions:
    • Explain the degree to which a geographic concept, process, model, or theory effectively explains geographic effects in different contexts and regions of the world.
  • Spatial Organization of Agriculture:
    • Explain the significance of geographic similarities and differences among different locations and/or at different times.
  • Von Thünen Model:
    • Explain spatial relationships across various geographic scales using geographic concepts, processes, models, or theories.
  • The Global System of Agriculture:
    • Explain the degree to which a geographic concept, process, model, or theory effectively explains geographic effects across various geographic scales.
  • Consequences of Agricultural Practices:
    • Explain the degree to which a geographic concept, process, model, or theory effectively explains geographic effects in different contexts and regions of the world.
  • Challenges of Contemporary Agriculture:
    • Compare patterns and trends in visual sources to draw conclusions.
  • Women in Agriculture:
    • Compare patterns and trends in maps and in quantitative and geospatial data to draw conclusions.
  • The Origin and Influences of Urbanization:
    • Explain the significance of geographic similarities and differences among different locations and/or at different times.
  • Cities Across the World:
    • Explain the significance of geographic similarities and differences among different locations and/or at different times.
  • Cities and Globalization:
    • Explain spatial relationships across various geographic scales using geographic concepts, processes, models, or theories.
  • The Size and Distribution of Cities:
    • Explain a likely outcome in a geographic scenario using geographic concepts, processes, models, or theories.
  • The Internal Structure of Cities:
    • Explain the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of different geographic models and theories in a specified context.
  • Density and Land Use:
    • Compare patterns and trends in maps and in quantitative and geospatial data to draw conclusions.
  • Infrastructure:
    • Explain patterns and trends in maps and in quantitative and geospatial data to draw conclusions.
  • Urban Sustainability:
    • Explain a likely outcome in a geographic scenario using geographic concepts, processes, models, or theories.
  • Urban Data:
    • Explain what maps or data imply or illustrate about geographic principles, processes, and outcomes.
  • Challenges of Urban Changes:
    • Explain how maps, images, and landscapes illustrate or relate to geographic principles, processes, and outcomes.
  • Challenges of Urban Sustainability:
    • Explain the significance of geographic similarities and differences among different locations and/or at different times.
  • The Industrial Revolution:
    • Compare patterns and trends in visual sources to draw conclusions.
  • Economic Sectors and Patterns:
    • Explain spatial relationships in a specified context or region of the world, using geographic concepts, processes, models, or theories.
  • Measures of Development:
    • Explain possible limitations of the data provided.
  • Women and Economic Development:
    • Compare patterns and trends in maps and in quantitative and geospatial data to draw conclusions.
  • Theories of Development:
    • Explain the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of different geographic models and theories in a specified context.
  • Trade and the World Economy:
    • Explain spatial relationships across various geographic scales using geographic concepts, processes, models, or theories.
  • Changes as a Result of the World Economy:
    • Explain possible limitations of visual sources provided.
  • Sustainable Development:
    • Explain the degree to which a geographic concept, process, model, or theory effectively explains geographic effects across various geographic scales.

Which units are the most difficult to learn or need greater focus due to their complexity?

Unit 4 (Political Patterns and Processes) builds on learning Units 2 and 3. To do well in Unit 4, you’ll need to be comfortable with the theories and concepts from the previous units. You will need to return to Units 2 and 3 if you struggle in Unit 4.

Unit 7 (Industrial and Economic Development) pulls together the ideas from the previous units to create a framework for studying the problems faced by less economically developed countries (LEDCs).

Become Familiar With the AP HUG Test Format

The AP Human Geography examination comprises two segments: a multiple-choice section and a free-response section. The multiple-choice section contains 60 questions, while the free-response section contains 3.

Exam Section Number of Questions Allotted Time % of Exam Score
Section 1: Multiple-Choice (MCQs) 60 MCQs 1 hour 50%
Section 2: Free-Response (FRQs) 3 FRQs 1 hour & 15 minutes 50%

How to Approach Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)

When facing the AP Human Geography test's multiple-choice questions section, students should focus only on the question's topic and any relevant details. Given the tight timing—about one minute per question—developing strategies to efficiently handle challenging questions is essential. Start by answering easier questions to manage your time effectively, then circle back to the tougher ones.

AP Human Geography Exam Tips: MCQ Strategies2

Process of elimination

During the exam, focus on eliminating the wrong answers first. Cross out any options you know are wrong, and watch for clues in the wording that might indicate incorrect choices.

Mark it

If you're unsure about an answer, make your best guess, jot down the question number, and keep going. Later, revisit these questions for a second look.

Letter of the day

Before the exam, pick a "Letter of the Day" (LOTD). If you're unsure of an answer, consistently choosing the same letter, like 'B', gives you a 25% chance of being correct for each guess.

Rephrase

If you understand the concept but find a question tricky, try rephrasing it in simpler terms. This can make it easier to grasp.

For more detailed strategies, check out our article on mastering AP Human Geography MCQs.

How to Approach Free-Response Questions (FRQs)

The AP Human Geography Free-Response Questions (FRQs) are distinct from traditional history exams as they require concise, targeted responses rather than essay-style writing. Each of the three FRQs consists of seven independently scored prompts, making a total of 21 questions. These FRQs are designed to evaluate your ability to apply concepts and integrate knowledge across different course units. The first FRQ is without visual aids, the second includes one, and the third presents two, such as maps or charts. You have 75 minutes to complete all three FRQs, giving you about 3½ minutes per question.

AP Human Geography Exam Tips: FRQ Strategies

Structure Your Responses

Clearly label your answers according to the corresponding parts of the question (A-G). This organization helps you ensure that each component is addressed.

Keep It Clear and Concise

Respond in complete sentences, but be succinct. Begin definitions with a straightforward statement and avoid adding unnecessary details or examples.

Engage With Visual Stimuli

Align your responses with any provided maps, charts, or other visuals. Thoroughly read captions and related texts to better understand and accurately address the questions related to these stimuli.

Focus on Key Verbs

Closely follow the operative words in each prompt—identify, define, explain, describe, or compare. Tailor your responses to these directives, ensuring they are aligned with the question's requirements.

Review and Adjust

If time allows, go back over your answers, especially those you feel unsure about, to refine them or add crucial details. Keep some space between your answers for potential additions during your review.

For more detailed guidance and strategies on handling AP Human Geography FRQs, visit UWorld's dedicated AP HUG FRQ page. This resource can help you further refine your approach and enhance your readiness for the exam.

Five Tips to Score a Perfect 5 on the AP Human Geography Exam

If you're aiming for a perfect score of 5, here are five AP Human Geography exam prep tips to help you feel prepared and confident:

  1. Study Smart, Not Hard:

    Set up 2-3 short study sessions per week, about 20 to 30 minutes each, starting 3 to 6 months before your exam. That's just an hour weekly!

  2. Use Online Tools:

    Leverage free resources like AP Classroom and Khan Academy to broaden your knowledge. For more focused preparation, consider a cost-effective UWorld subscription to access specialized practice questions in challenging areas.

  3. Active Reading and Digital Flashcards:

    Enhance your understanding by regularly reading and taking notes from your textbook or the question bank directly in the UWorld platform using the My Notebook feature. You can also seamlessly create digital flashcards for key concepts, which you can review from any device, anywhere—perfect for boosting memory and recall.

  4. Visuals and Rubrics:

    Improve your skills in interpreting visual data

  5. Timed Writing Practice:

    Improve your speed and effectiveness in writing by practicing under time constraints. This prepares you for the exam's essay components. Also, get to know the FRQ scoring rubrics well to ensure your answers meet the exam criteria precisely.

These streamlined steps will help you prepare efficiently and confidently for the AP Human Geography exam.

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Visual representation of the Bid-rent theory.

Planning an AP Human Geography Study Schedule

Kick off your study plan by taking a practice test to pinpoint your weak spots. This will help you focus your efforts on the areas that need the most attention. As you prepare, dive into your notes, readings, online materials, and instructional videos.

Here’s how to break down your study time, if you are:

Check out this sample two-week study schedule to keep you on track:

Day 1 Start with an AP Human Geography practice test.
Day 2-3 Go over what you missed on the practice test.
Day 4-5 Review units 1 & 2.
Day 6-7 Move on to units 3 & 4.
Day 8-9 Tackle units 5 & 6.
Day 10-11 Focus on Unit 7 and any other areas where you're struggling.
Day 12-13 Practice both stimulus and non-stimulus-based questions within exam time limits.
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Image representing and explaining Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

AP Human Geography Review/Study Materials

Study materials for AP Human Geography exist in three basic types:

  1. Study Guides:

    AP Human Geography prep books from publishers such as Princeton Review, Kaplan, and McGraw Hill are classic tools for test drills. These resources sometimes provide AP Human Geography cursory exam tips, light introductions to a wide array of topics, and practice exams. The downside to these resources is that the AP Human Geography practice test questions may differ from those on the actual exam and provide little explanation for why answers are right or wrong.

  2. Digital reference materials (e.g., online essays):

    Digital reference materials, such as online essays, are also excellent study materials for AP Human Geography. Articles on Nationalgeographic.com can be fantastic for reading articles that contextualize geographic themes and developments. Consider these articles as supplemental reading.

  3. Digital learning tools (e.g., question banks):

    Digital question banks (QBanks) are the best AP Human Geography study materials for active learning. You can prepare for your exam with the UWorld AP Human Geography digital QBank, which has over 500 multiple-choice questions that closely resemble the College Board's AP Human Geography exam questions. The questions align with AP HUG course topics and concepts, and short explanations for questions and visuals are included to reinforce learning.

Summary: The Best AP Human Geography Study Plan

In this comprehensive 2024 AP Human Geography exam study plan, we've explored a wealth of information. Let's highlight some key insights:

  • Strategic Approach:
    • Use efficient strategies for MCQs and concise responses for FRQs.
    • Prioritize time management and address more straightforward questions first.
  • Consistent Study:
    • Dedicate 20 minutes for focused study sessions three times per week or 30 minutes twice a week.
    • Gradually increase study time weekly, incorporating varied resources.
  • Optimized Schedule:
    • Follow a structured six-month, three-month, one-month, or two-week study schedule.
    • Identify weak areas through AP Human Geography practice tests and focus on those during reviews.
  • Resource Diversity:
    • Utilize a mix of printed materials, digital references, and active learning tools like UWorld QBank.
  • Exam Simulations:
    • Practice timed essay writing, interpret visual stimuli, and understand FRQ rubrics.
    • Take practice exams to identify areas needing extra attention.

Now that you know how to study for AP Human Geography, it’s time to make the most of tools like UWorld College Prep to prepare for AP tests. Dive into the AP Human Geography exam, use the available resources, and begin your journey toward academic success.

References

  1. AP Human Geography Course and Exam Description. (2020). apcentral.collegeboard.org. Retrieved February 19, 2024, from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-human-geography-course-and-exam-description.pdf?course=ap-human-geography
  2. AP® Human Geography. (2020). apcentral.collegeboard.org. Retrieved February 19, 2024, from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-human-geography-course-and-exam-description.pdf

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