A Guide to the AP Environmental Science Exam

Feeling overwhelmed by the vast amount of information you need to know for the AP Environmental Science exam? This comprehensive exam tests your knowledge of a wide range of environmental concepts, from ecosystems and biodiversity to global change and pollution.

Whether you’re just starting your review or polishing your final prep, this blog is here to provide you with everything you need to ace the AP Environmental Science exam. We’ll break down the format and provide you with the resources you need to feel confident and prepared on exam day.

Overview of the AP Environmental Science Exam

The AP Environmental Science exam is designed to assess your understanding of environmental concepts and your ability to apply that knowledge to solve real-world problems. Administered by the College Board, the exam is a way for high school students to earn college credit in environmental science. The two-hour and forty-minute exam is divided into two sections: multiple-choice and free-response.

The multiple-choice section makes up 60% of your score and tests your foundational knowledge across a range of environmental topics. The free-response section allows you to show your analytical and problem-solving skills through data analysis, interpretation, and designing environmental research studies. This section makes up the remaining 40% of your score. Both sections require you to use a calculator effectively.

When is the AP Environmental Science Exam in 2024?

According to the schedule published by the College Board, the AP Environmental Science exam will be on Thursday, May 9th, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. local time. Be sure to double-check the date and time with your teacher or school counselor, as this information may change.

AP Environmental Science Exam Format

The AP Environmental Science exam assesses your understanding of environmental science through two distinct sections:

Section I: Multiple-choice (1.5 hours, 60% of the score)

• Format: 80 individual questions, including some question sets that reference the same diagram, data presentation (tables, charts, graphs, models), or text source.
• Skills assessed:

1. Explain environmental concepts, processes, and models.
2. Analyze visual representations.
3. Analyze text sources.
4. Analyze research studies.
5. Analyze and interpret the data.
6. Use math to solve problems.
7. Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems.

Section II: Free-response (1 hour, 10 minutes, 40% of the score)

• Format: Three open-ended questions, each focusing on a different scenario:

1. Question 1: Design an investigation: Analyze a real-world environmental situation presented with either a model (visual) or data (quantitative). You will design an investigation to study the scenario.

2. Question 2: Analyze and propose solutions: Analyze a real-world environmental situation presented with either a model (visual) or data (quantitative). You will propose a solution and justify your reasoning.

3. Question 3: Analyze, propose solutions, and perform calculations: Analyze a real-world environmental situation presented with data (quantitative). You will propose a solution, justify your reasoning, and perform calculations to support your solution.

• Skills assessed:

1. Explain environmental concepts, processes, and models.
2. Analyze visual representations.
3. Analyze research studies.
4. Analyze and interpret the data.
5. Use math to solve problems.
6. Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems.

You are allowed to use a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator on both sections of the AP Environmental Science exam.

What is Tested on the AP Environmental Science Exam?

The College Board outlines specific learning objectives for AP Environmental Science. These objectives are divided into 9 units that ensure you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of environmental concepts.

• Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems
• Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity
• Unit 3: Populations
• Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources
• Unit 5: Land and Water Use
• Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption
• Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution
• Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution
• Unit 9: Global Change

How is the AP Environmental Science Exam Scored?

The AP Environmental Science exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. A score of 3 or higher is generally considered passing. The exam is divided into two sections: multiple-choice and free response. The multiple-choice section accounts for 60% of your total score. The free-response section makes up the remaining 40% of your score. The AP Environmental Science exam scores saw the following distribution among May 2020 test-takers:

AP Environmental Science Score	Meaning	Percentage of Test Takers
5	Extremely qualified	11.90%
4	Well qualified	28.50%
3	Qualified	13%
2	Possibly qualified	25.50%
1	No recommendation	21%

AP Environmental Science Exam Questions and Scoring Information

This table provides access to the 2023 question papers and their corresponding scoring guidelines. For more question banks, visit the College Board’s official website.

Questions	Scoring	Samples and Commentary
Free-Response Questions – Set 1Free-Response Questions – Set 2	Scoring Guidelines – Set 1Scoring Guidelines – Set 2Chief Reader Report – Set 1Chief Reader Report – Set 2Scoring Statistics – Set 1Scoring Statistics – Set 2Score Distributions	Sample Responses Question 1 – Set 1Sample Responses Question 1 – Set 2Sample Responses Question 2 – Set 1Sample Responses Question 2 – Set 2Sample Responses Question 3 – Set 1Sample Responses Question 3 – Set 2

From the Desk of Yocket

The AP Environmental Science exam covers a broad range of topics that are important to understand the complex challenges facing our planet. From analyzing ecosystems and biodiversity to evaluating human impact on resources and pollution, the exam assesses real-world issues. While challenging, the exam can also be a rewarding experience that prepares you for college-level environmental science courses.

With both multiple-choice and free-response sections, the exam format tests not only knowledge but also analytical and problem-solving skills. By requiring you to design investigations and propose solutions to environmental problems, the AP Environmental Science exam encourages critical thinking and fosters a deeper understanding of the cause-and-effect relationships within our environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the AP Environmental Science exam?

The 2-hour and 40-minute exam is divided into two sections: multiple-choice (60–80 questions) and free-response (3 questions). Multiple-choice tests your knowledge across a wide range of environmental science topics. Free response questions are more in-depth and require applying your understanding to analyze scenarios, and data, or design solutions for environmental problems.

What are some key topics to focus on for the AP Environmental Science exam?

You should begin by understanding major ecological concepts, human impacts on ecosystems, and energy resources and consumption. Additionally, practicing interpreting data and graphs is crucial, as these skills are frequently tested.

What are the different types of free-response questions on the AP Environmental Science exam?

There are three types of free-response questions on the AP Environmental Science exam: designing an investigation based on a scenario, analyzing an environmental problem and proposing a solution, and answering environmental math questions.