About the Author
Christian Sawyer is a nationally-recognized Social Studies teacher who has implemented and taught AP Human Geography and other social studies courses at both the high school and college levels for nearly a decade. In addition to his high school teaching, Mr. Sawyer currently serves as the “Teacher in Residence” at Vanderbilt University’s top-ranked Peabody College of Education, where he teaches courses in Human Geography and Social Studies Education. Additionally, he has been a guest instructor in Taiwan, an instructor of Geopolitics at the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, and an Atlantik-Brueke Fellow studying German-American relations with the Department of Education. Mr. Sawyer’s work in advocating for broader geographic awareness led to his recognition as a 2006 National Outstanding Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the National Council for the Social Studies; the 2006 Tennessee Outstanding Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the Tennessee Council for the Social Studies; a 2008 Tennessee Distinguished Educator; the recipient of the “2008 Educator Award” from the Nashville Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities; and a “Local Hero” by Vanderbilt University. In 2007, Mr. Sawyer became one of the youngest people in the country to be named a regional finalist for the White House Fellows Program, the nation’s most prestigious program for distinction in public service and leadership. Mr. Sawyer has written and edited Social Studies curriculum for the Modern Red Schoolhouse Institute and other publishers. He also serves on state and national Social Studies committees and is a community volunteer. A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Mr. Sawyer graduated with highest distinction, Phi Beta Kappa, from the Honors Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After earning his master’s degree and being inducted into the nation’s oldest education honor society, Kappa Delta Pi, Mr. Sawyer is completing his doctorate at Vanderbilt.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
About This Book and TESTware®
This book, along with our companion TESTware® software, provides an accurate and complete representation of the Advanced Placement Examination in Human Geography. REA’s practice exams are based on the format of the most recently administered AP Human Geography exam and each includes every type of question that you can expect to encounter on the real test. Following each of our practice tests is an answer key, complete with detailed explanations designed to clarify the material for you. By using the subject reviews, completing both practice tests, and studying the explanations that follow, you will put yourself in the best possible position to do well on the actual test.
The two practice exams are also included on the enclosed TESTware® CD-ROM. The software provides timed conditions and instant, accurate scoring, which makes it all the easier to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses.
About the Exam
The Advanced Placement Human Geography examination is offered each May at participating schools and multi-school centers throughout the world. The Advanced Placement Program is designed to allow high school students to pursue college-level studies while attending high school. The participating colleges, in turn, grant credit and/or advanced placement to students who do well on the examinations.
The Advanced Placement Human Geography course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory Human Geography course.
AP Human Geography Exam Format and Content
The AP Human Geography exam is approximately two hours and fifteen minutes long. Each section of the exam is completed separately and each counts for half of the student’s score. The exam is divided into two sections:
Section I: The multiple-choice section of the exam is 60 minutes long and contains 75 questions. The approximate breakdown of topics covered includes the following:
Topic Approximate Percentage
Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives 5–10%
Population 13–17%
Cultural Patterns and Processes 13–17%
Political Organization of Space 13–17%
Agriculture and Rural Land Use 13–17%
Industrialization and Economic Development 13–17%
Cities and Urban Land Use 13–17%
Each question in the multiple-choice section has five possible answer choices. Each correct answer is worth one point, and 1/4 point is deducted for each incorrect
answer.
Section II: This is the free-response section of the exam. Students are asked to answer three constructed-response questions in the allotted 75 minutes. Questions may be based on stimulus material such as maps, graphs, photographs, diagrams and verbal descriptions. Students are expected to use their analytical and organizational skills in writing their responses. While a formal essay is not required, a simple listing of facts will not receive a high score. All three questions are required to be answered and are weighted equally.
For more information about what to include on the essays, how to manage the time allotted, and how they are scored, please visit the AP Human Geography outline provided by the College Board at www.collegeboard.com.
You may find the AP Human Geography exam considerably more difficult than many classroom exams. In order to measure the full range of your ability in Human Geography, the AP exams are designed to produce average scores of approximately 50% of the maximum possible score for the multiple-choice and essay sections. Therefore, you should not expect to attain a perfect or even near-perfect score.
How to Use This Book and TESTware®
What do I study first?
To begin your studies, read over the introduction and the suggestions for test taking. Take Practice Exam 1 on CD-ROM to determine your strengths and weaknesses, and then study the course review material, focusing on your specific problem areas. Studying the review material thoroughly will reinforce the basic skills you will need to do well on the exam. Make sure to follow up your diagnostic work by taking Practice Exam 2 on CD-ROM to become familiar with the format and feel of the AP Human Geography exam.
To best utilize your study time, follow our Study Schedule, which you will find in the front of this book. The schedule is based on an eight-week program, but if necessary can be condensed to four weeks by combining each two-week period into one week.
When should I start studying?
It is never too early to start studying for the AP Human Geography examination. The earlier you begin, the more time you will have to sharpen your skills. Do not procrastinate! Cramming is not an effective way to study, since it does not allow you the time needed to learn the test material. The sooner you learn the format of the exam, the more time you will have to familiarize yourself with it. SSD accommodations for students with disabilities
Many students qualify for extra time to take the AP Human Geography exam and our TESTware® can be adapted to accommodate your time extension. This allows you to practice under the same extended-time accommodations that you will receive on the actual test day. To customize your TESTware® to suit the most common extensions, visit our website at http://www.rea.com/ssd.
About Our Review Section
This book contains an AP Human Geography Course Review that can be used as both a primer and as a quick reference while taking the practice exams. Our course review is meant to complement your AP Human Geography textbook and is by no means exhaustive. By studying our review along with your text, you will be well prepared for the exam.
Scoring the Official Exams
The College Board creates a formula (which changes slightly every year) to convert raw scores into composite scores grouped into broad AP grade categories. The weights for the multiple-choice sections are determined by the Chief Reader, who uses a process called equating. This process compares the current year’s exam performance on selected multiple-choice questions to that of a previous year, establishing a level of achievement for the current year’s group and a degree of difficulty for the current exam. This data is combined with historical trends and the reader’s professional evaluation to determine the weights and tables.
The AP free-response is graded by teacher volunteers, grouped at scoring tables, and led by a chief faculty consultant. The consultant sets the grading scale that translates the raw score into the composite score. Past grading illustrations are available to teachers from the College Board, and may be ordered using the contact information given in this chapter. These actual examples of student responses and a grade analysis can be of great assistance to both the student and the teacher as a learning or review tool.
When will I know my score?
In July, a grade report will be sent to you, your high school, and the college you chose to notify. The report will include scores for all the AP exams you have taken up to that point and will show a grade of between 1 and 5. Normally, colleges participating in the Advanced Placement Program will recognize grades of 3 or better.
Your grade will be used by your college of choice to determine placement in its Human Geography program. This grade will vary in significance from college to college, and is used with other academic information to determine placement. Contact your college admissions office for more information regarding its use of AP grades.
Tips for Success on the AP Human Geography Exam
• Invent your own “review system.̶...
