<p>I was interested in self-studying APES this year, as I've heard that the AP "was easy" and the class at our school is boring. However, looking at the score distributions, I see that less than 9% of the test takers have gotten a 5, which makes me apprehensive.</p>
<p>Is the test actually as "hard" as it appears, or is it simply because lots of test takers don't understand the question format and just do poorly (underestimating even, perhaps)? (sorta like AP World) I've already read through a textbook, I have practice tests, and I love learning about environmental science, so I would say I'm fairly prepared; just would like to hear someone else's viewpoint.</p>
<p>The reason the percentage of people who get a 5 is so low is because the majority of people who take AP Environmental Science aren’t as self-selected as those that take “harder” APs.</p>
<p>There are a large number of students who take it because they think it is “easy.” It is still an AP, and requires preparation and study. Most of the 1’s and 2’s don’t realize that.</p>
<p>As long as you prepare for it, you can do well! Just ignore those people who underestimate the exam, because just as the two brilliant people who commented on the thread explained,
it is still an AP course and many people aren’t prepared for it because of overconfidence or something else! To answer your question, however, yes, it is typically considered one of the “easier” AP exams compared to other exams such as AP Chemistry or AP English, etc.</p>
<p>I hate to be that guy, but I think the test is a joke. I was given a multiple choice test from a previous year during the first week of class as a pretest, and I got 78/100 correct which is supposed to be really good. </p>
<p>It covers some extremely dumbed down chemistry, a lot of basic biology, and a good amount of environmental laws/case-studies/policies.</p>