Hi everyone. I'm a rising junior and I plan on taking the AP geography exam next year. What are some key concepts I should definitely understand? Are there any resources you suggest to really nail this exam?
For the AP Human Geography exam, you'll need to cover a broad range of topics. This exam includes seven different units: Thinking Geographically, Population and Migration, Culture, Political Geography, Agricultural and Rural Land Use, Cities & Urban Land Use, and Industrial & Economic Development.
Each unit dives into several key concepts. For example, in the Agriculture unit, it’s important to understand the processes and impacts of agriculture modernization. In the Cities and Urban Land Use unit, you would take a closer look at models of urban hierarchies, land use, and economic development.
One of the main skills this test assesses is the ability to interpret maps and data. Therefore, practice with spatial thinking skills is essential. You should be able to analyze geographic patterns and make reasoned connections.
When studying, make sure to simulate the exam environment as much as possible. This means timed practice. Not only for the multiple-choice section but for the free-response questions as well. The free-response section requires you to apply geographic concepts to respond to a scenario. It's essential to practice under time pressure to develop a good writing pace.
Regarding resources, there are a few free resources that can be useful:
1. AP Students on CollegeBoard's website: It offers free practice questions and advice on exam day preparation. They also provide a full description of the course content and examples of previous free-response questions.
2. Talk to your teacher: If you're taking an AP Geography class, be proactive in seeking help from your geography teacher. They should have resources or practice questions left over from previous years that could be extremely helpful.
3. Study groups: Teaming up with classmates can also be very beneficial. You can quiz each other, discuss concepts, and clarify areas of confusion.
Make sure to leverage all these resources to get a comprehensive understanding of the topics and to practice under exam-like conditions. Good luck!
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