How hard are the AP Human Geography and Psychology exams?

I plan to take both this year, plus the AP European History exam. I am self studying the two though. The problem is that I have not started studying yet. I am wondering if it is possible for one to learn everything that is needed to get a 5 on all three of these exams in two weeks?</p>

I have the same question, except mostly about Human Geography. I know that it’s supposedly the easiest exam, which is why I have completely postponed studying. How easy is it really?</p>

What is the format for APHG? I know this is bad this late in the game, but I know that the multiple choice is 75 in 60. How long do you get for the 3 FRQs? Do you get one big time limit or 3 separate times for each one?</p>

75 minutes for 3 FRQ</p>

I’m also self-studying for AP Geography, but I started studying in the middle of March. I use the Kaplans review book and its really helpful because after each section they have 20 multiple choice and a free response essay. I looked through the past FRQs on the CollegeBoard website and there not that difficult because a lot of the models are straightforward and logical.</p>

I took HG last year. My teacher taught absolutely nothing, so I stayed home the day before the exam and crammed for hours straight. Not the best idea, but I was a silly sophomore then. I ended up with a 3. If you were to start studying now and work really hard I bet you could do well. The only thing I think would affect you is that you will want to spend more time on Euro and Psychology, so teaching yourself a completely new class on top of that may just be too much, and you would affect your scores all around. HG is easy, but you can’t just go in there with no studying and get a 5- even though some people will tell you that.</p>

Without studying- at all- I got a three on the Human Geography exam. I was enrolled in both AP US and AP Euro that year, though, which helped me come up with examples for the free response questions. Nonetheless, with a firm grounding in history and a legitimate read-through of a test prep book, I think a 5 would be doable. </p>

I would recommend taking notes and making flashcards as you read the test prep book; much of the multiple choice section seemed based on vocabulary. Also, I would caution someone beginning to study this late in the game that a 5 is probably out of reach without having taken several in-depth history courses.</p>

I can’t speak to the Psychology exam. In my opinion, Euro was a pretty easy exam but my teacher was excellent. I think it would’ve been much harder had I been taught by someone else. </p>

Lastly, don’t stress too much about APs or spend too much money taking exams that you’ve self-studied for. I decided against submitting my AP scores with my college applications (CC convinced me that sending anything less than a 5 would decrease my chances of admission) and was still accepted everywhere I applied, including 3 USNWR top 20 schools. </p>

Best of luck!</p>

Thank you! And if I may ask where did you get accepted to, and what are you stats?</p>

Sure! I’ll PM you.</p>

Thanks dude! </p>

Anyone else have any thoughts on the orginal topic?</p>

I took HG two years ago. I had a teacher who taught me not a single thing. I was a freshman and had never taken a real class in my life, and I was also taking WHAP that year. I ended up studying for WHAP very intensely in the month or so before the exam, and neglected HG. With only a few days left before the exam I read through I believe a Kaplan book, highlighted everything, memorized it all, etc. Went through it maybe two or three times, and skimmed what I didn’t know at that point (the highlighted stuff) the morning before the test. I got a 5. I didn’t have a strong background in history (at that point, at least) and I had no knowledge of current affairs.</p>

I would say that it’s definitely not impossible at this point. It isn’t hard, and it won’t take up hours and days and weeks of your time. But it won’t be a JOKE. You need to study, read, and manage a good chunk of information if you want to do well on the test. If you dedicate the three days before the test solely to studying and you use your time well, you should be able to get a five. I hope it doesn’t detract from your other scores, though–most colleges accept Euro and use it as 6 credits. I haven’t seen a good college yet that accepts Human Geo.</p>