AP Human Geograhy (APHG) Advice from an Expert

Test Preparation AP History & Social Sciences
1

Folks, its January and time to get serious the 2011 AP Human Geography Exam. Now it may appear on the CC threads that many people got 4 and 5 scores on the 2010 exams. However, realize that APHG has one of the lowest average scores across AP exams. For every 4 or 5 there are many 2’s or 1-scoring student who was enrolled in the same class or at another school or preparing alone and even taking the class in ninth grade…</p>

Face it! APHG seems not as hard as AP Physics or AP Bio, but at the same time, for APHG you need to have some detailed knowledge of history, economy and politics, especially over the past 200 years to do well. We all need help here for different reasons. Let see what we can do first:</p>

Let’s dispel some APHG “myths”:</p>

<ol>
<li>“The test is easy.” Not for everyone. 75-multiple choice questions from seven possible categories and an endless supply of real-world examples. Then 3-Free Response Questions; expect one to be a crusher. Limited time and no supporting document barring a map or diagram. This can be problematic for many. The reality is that many students enjoy the APHG course and not intimidated by the exam material, like they might be for Calculus. This lack of stress adds confidence when approaching the exam I hope that confidence backed by some knowledge.</p></li>
<li>“Its OK to take the APHG exam in 9th grade. It soft test to start-off with, right?”
Not exactly. Consider the opposite, say in 11th grade a truly prepared student who previously completed or is concurrently taking AP USH, Econ and Comp Politics. This student is very well prepared to take an APHG course and score highly on the exam. 9th grade students can do well if they are committed to extra work preparing in-depth supplemental history (US) politics (global) and economic learning.</p></li>
<li>“Chuck Norris got a 6 on APHG and broke a scoring computer with his bubble sheet.” This story is unconfirmed and unlikely as Chuck is old enough to be my dad.</p></li>
</ol>

What to Buy? (WARNING: I am biased as the author of the PR book.)</p>

Have a college-level textbook first and formost. But heres my take on the prep books.</p>

Kaplan’s by Kelly Swanson is the most thorough on content and the 2011 edition has some improvement in the exam preparation. It contains all the material you need to know in detail and has good practice tests.</p>

Barrons: for those of you raised on Flash Cards this is your book (cards sold separately). The chapters are suitable for the material. However the exams need to be turned-up a notch in terms of realistic quality.</p>

Princeton Review: First three chapters designed for understanding exam strategy. Seven content chapters, written in vignettes: 4-5 paragraph content descriptions that are the types of answers you should write on the FRQs. A large amount of space committed to understanding urban and demographic models.</p>

Now the offer!</p>

I am offering to host periodic scheduled discussion on collegeconfidential.com. I am legally unable to provide you with any material from PR or ETS. However, I can help answer questions on content issues, regarding the student experience during the exam and preparation strategies.</p>

Let me know what your question and issues are, and I will return weekly to give advice and answers. </p>

Best Regards,</p>

Dr. Jon Moore
Author, Cracking the AP Human Geography Exam from Princeton Review</p>

2

An opportunity to talk with a APHG expert?! Wish I had this when I took APHG! I used Kaplan and Barrons and I got a 4 (I was a freshman so it is doable as a 9th grader). I am glad I used both Kaplan and Barron as Kaplan had stuff that barron’s didn’t and barron’s had stuff kaplan didn’t and both of the stuff was on the test. xD</p>

3

Thanks for giving up some time to help out us AP HUG students.</p>

A big thing that i have been concerned about is what exactly should i expect on the test? And what parts or themes are critical to the test that I should understand on a profound level rather than just reading over to “make the grade” if that makes sense.</p>

4

thanks for the info.</p>

i was wondering, if you knew of any particular websites with good review and/or practice questions? I am currently studying for my APHG midterm. I own the barrons review book and I’m not a huge fan so far.</p>

thanks!</p>

5

I was just wondering if you thought taking the AP Human Geography class at school was necessary or if its possible to learn everything you need to know by studying all the prep books… You see, my school doesn’t offer the class but I find the subject very interesting so I’ve been studying it a little on my own. Do you think I would have a chance at a decent score?</p>

6

Meh…APHUG IS a 9th grade-level AP. I took as it a really immature and lazy freshman, and got a 4, as did most of the people in my class (I go to a regular public HS, btw)</p>

7

I just bought the Barron’s book for APHUG today and plan on taking the exam in May. Does anyone with experience in the course have any advice on how I should tackle the FRQ? How should I format my FRQ responses (Should I strive for a five-paragraph format?)?</p>

8

Of course I am only seeing this after taking the exam. I would have made a bigger effort to find better material. My teacher didn’t teach well because we focused more on vocab, when we should have been doing real world examples and all that.</p>

9

I’m self-studying and I plan to buy the textbook.</p>

Should I buy the 8th or 10th edition? The 10th costs a bit more money, does anyone have any good reviews about it?</p>

Also, which is better Barrons or Kaplan?</p>

10

Tips on how to do very well on the essay portion? Also, are they hard on grading the essays? I bought PR and Barron’s</p>