Complete Guide to AP Environmental Science Self Study

Test Preparation AP Sciences
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I posted a thread like this last year when I studied AP Psych, and it seemed to be helpful, so I thought to give it a go for APES. I self-studied AP Enviro, took the 2017 test, and just found out I got a 5! It was definitely a lot more work than AP Psych and AP HuG were, so keep that in mind if you are looking to do it on your own.

I’ll try to keep this post as organized as possible so you can find the info you need :slight_smile:

TO THE NON-PROCRASTINATORS: WHEN SHOULD YOU START?

I “started” studying for APES late in the summer of 2016. It wasn’t helpful to start that early; I didn’t remember any of the information I read. Don’t do it unless you’re the type of learner that just remembers everything they read.

If you start during winter break - and study diligently - you’ll be in great shape. But, I started during spring break and got a 5, and I know people who started the week before and were still alright. The later you start, the harder you have to study. Keep that in mind when putting it off. However, if you’re reading this, it may be too late for you to start early, in which case, keep reading.

BOOKS & MATERIALS

As I said, I started primarily during spring break (April) once the stress started kicking in. I used Princeton Review (get one on Amazon, you don’t need a new edition).
https://www.amazon.com/Cracking-Environmental-Science-Exam-2017/dp/1101919922/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499283827&sr=8-1&keywords=ap+environmental+science+princeton+review

After I went through my whole PR, I bought the small Crash Course APES book for more details. I found that PR laid a great foundation, and CC filled in some holes and gave great examples to cite in FRQs. That is key. The main value of the CC book was the give examples and pro/con facts to write for the FRQs. For example, instead of just stating in paragraphs what hydroelectric energy is like PR does, CC writes in an outline format and lists pros and cons, so it’s easier to read and memorize the main points quickly (or at least it was for me).
https://www.amazon.com/Environmental-Science-Course-Advanced-Placement/dp/0738609315/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499284012&sr=8-1&keywords=ap+environmental+science+crash+course

With the combination of these two books, you’re covered on basic definitions and explanations for MCQs (PR) and things that are typically asked as FRQs, like pros/cons and examples of certain concept occurring in the world (CC).

FRQs

If you struggle with FRQs, Crash Course WILL help you. Sometimes, PR’s FRQs won’t even be answered in the content that’s in the book. After reading CC, PR FRQs were cake. 10/10 recommended. It’s a quick read. Even the week before the exam, carry around your small CC and just flip through the chapters during breaks or down time in classes. It made all the difference for me.

Look at old FRQs and think about what you would write as answers. I don’t think you really need to actually write out the answers- I never did. Pay attention to the grading rubrics so you can see what sort of answers give you credit. The AP graders just check off points, so know what sort of responses and wordings make them check off the box and give you those points.
https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-environmental-science/exam

During the exam, when writing your FRQ answers, don’t waste your time with flowery language and fancy vocab. Just try to get those boxes checked and hit as many points as possible. Oh, and MAKE SURE YOU ANSWER THE WHOLE QUESTION. A tip for the FRQs: Go through all of them first. Before you start, read all the FRQs and write little notes what you would write as answers next to each part of each question.

The questions are asked in this format:

1 There's a dam being built.

A) Describe 2 effects on wildlife
B) State one economic benefit and one environmental benefit.
C)…
D)… etc

2 Someone spilled oil into the ocean.

A) Describe one way to clean it up.
B)…
C)… etc

If you have no idea about hydroelectric energy, obviously don’t start with #1. When you go through all the questions and circle the letters you don’t know, you’ll have a good idea of which questions you’re ready to answer and which ones you should do last. This way, you can maximize the points you get by writing all the answers you know for sure first instead of starting with #1 and just trudging through them in order.

CRAM SESSION/THE WEEKEND BEFORE PLAN*

It sucks that APES is the first test, but it’s great if you end up using it to your advantage. The weekend before (actually on Sunday), I re-read my whole PR. CC isn’t really worth re-reading, but you should flip through the parts about energy, different fuels, and pollution for sure (they’re popular FRQs). If you’re double testing (APES and Psych), gl gl gl gl

I found weather patterns (like the Coriolis Effect stuff) hard to understand from just PR. The Bozeman videos on YouTube do a great job of clarifying that stuff and gave me a basic understanding that was good enough for the exam.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE9KTG9PFho&list=PLllVwaZQkS2qK4Z6xBVDRak8an1-kqsgm
For that playlist (and others on YouTube), don’t waste your precious time watching general overview videos about things like “What is the Environment?” When watching YouTube videos, first of all, try not to get distracted. And second, only watch videos about specific concepts that PR doesn’t explain enough for you. This way, you’re not spending 20 minutes watching a video explaining why it’s important we preserve our environment. You already know that.

Try to read/highlight/annotate PR two weekends before the test. Read CC the week before. On Friday, take the diagnostic practice test. Read PR for the chapters you do poorly on and watch the videos from YouTube. Take the second practice test on Saturday. Keep reading PR, keep flipping through CC. On Sunday, wake up around 8 am and just read Princeton Review, cover to cover. If you know you read fast, save the third and final practice test for Sunday. If not, just take the third on on Saturday.

CONCLUSION

I knew absolutely nothing about Enviro before studying for this test. This plan and these tips got me a 5, and it can do the same for you. Don’t get intimidated by two books (PR+CC I SWEAR BY IT) and jump to Barron’s instead. DON’T. USE. BARRON’S. Don’t do it. I see you - scrolling through Amazon reviews of people claiming it helped their daughters/sons. Click away. cliiiicckkk awayyyyyyy. But then again, my word is the same value as theirs. shrug

Here is a score calculator so you can judge how prepared you are based on your practice test results.
http://appass.com/calculators/environmentalscience

Another great thread:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sciences/1337145-how-to-study-self-study-for-ap-environmental-science-apes-p1.html

Again, this is just what I did, and it worked. I’m nothing special; you can definitely do it too. Please reply with any resources you used and tips for future self-studiers! PM me if you have any questions.

tl;dr : Princeton Review for MCQ, CrashCourse for FRQ. Re-read your PR the weekend before.

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I had Barrons and Princeton Review and found PR to be MUCH more helpful. I started self studying in February and also ended up getting a five. I found summarizing the syllabus to be helpful to me as well (using notes from PR and youtube videos). The biggest difficulty I ran into along my self study journey was avoiding procrastination and dealing with other time management related issues. It can be quite challenging balancing AP prep on top of a full course load. In retrospect, xxblueballoonxx’s advice would have been a great thing to see prior to going through the process last year.

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@trumpetmathgeek yeah, I had a friend self studying with just Barron’s who ended up with a 4. It seems better because it’s longer and more thorough, but what’s the point if most of the details aren’t tested? thanks for your input!

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I got a 5 and didn’t start studying until a week before the exam!!!

Buy the crash course book and read through it until you get the content memorized. Keep reading and place sticky notes where the info is unclear. Drill those topics over and over and you will get a five. Review past FRQs. I did not do this, but the FRQs this year were very easy and I got lucky.

Watch Bozeman Science videos!!! These are perfect for FRQs because he gives examples! Do not just watch the videos through; pause after he completes vocabulary/concept and repeat vocab/concepts to yourself in your own words. This is key for retaining this information. Otherwise, if you just watch, you will retain very little.

Start in the beginning of the school year and it will be a breeze. If you wait until the last minute {like me}, it will still be doable, but much more intense. I recommend the former.

Good Luck!

Source: Scored a 5 on the 2017 Exam and used the Crash Course Book/Bozeman videos to study

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If I were to self-study AP Environmental Science, wouldn’t I miss out on the labs? Are the labs fun in that class?

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@MatthewW12 I agree about the Bozeman videos! I went through a couple, and they were great.

@SuperGeo5999 Your experience with any class will be different from school to school and teacher to teacher. Choosing to self-study an AP and taking on that workload is completely your choice, so you can weigh the pros and cons of missing any potentially fun labs accordingly. In my school, APES doesn’t have that reputation for being extremely fun/intriguing, but then again, everyone’s experience is different. If you do choose to self study, just know it’s totally possible :slight_smile: good luck!