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About the Exam
The AP Environmental Science Exam will test your understanding of the environmental concepts covered in the course units, as well as your ability to design research studies to solve environmental problems.
This is a fully digital exam. You’ll complete multiple-choice and free-response questions in the Bluebook testing app, with all responses automatically submitted at the end of the exam.
Calculators are permitted for this exam. See AP Exams Calculator Policy for the list of calculators approved for this course.
2hrs 40mins
Exam Date
AP Environmental Science Exam
Your AP coordinator will tell you when and where the exam will be administered.
Exam Components
Section I: Multiple Choice
80 questions 1hr 30mins 60% of Score
The multiple-choice section includes individual, single questions as well as sets of questions that refer to the same diagram or data presentation; these may include data tables, charts, graphs, models, representations, and text-based sources.
Questions will test your ability to:
- Explain environmental concepts, processes, and models
- Analyze visual representations
- Analyze text sources
- Analyze research studies
- Analyze and interpret data
- Use math in solving problems
- Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems
Section II: Free Response
3 questions 1hr 10mins 40% of Score
The free-response section includes three questions:
- Question 1—Design an investigation: Students are presented with an authentic environmental science scenario accompanied by a model/visual representation (Practice 2). Students apply their understanding of the scientific method to analyze the scenario, identify environmental problems, and propose solutions to environmental problems.
- Question 2—Analyze and interpret quantitative data: Students are presented with an authentic environmental science scenario accompanied by quantitative data in the form of a table, chart, and/or graph (Practice 5). Students apply their understanding of environmental science to interpret the data presented and propose solutions to environmental problems.
- Question 3—Analyze an environmental problem doing calculations: Students are presented with an authentic environmental science scenario accompanied by quantitative data. Students use calculations to analyze the scenario (Practice 6) and propose solutions to environmental problems.
Questions will test your ability to:
- Explain environmental concepts, processes, and models
- Analyze visual representations
- Analyze research studies
- Analyze and interpret data
- Use math in solving problems
- Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems
Exam Essentials
Exam Preparation
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AP Classroom Resources
Once you join your AP class section online, you’ll be able to access course project materials along with any assignments from your teacher and your assignment results in AP Classroom. Sign in to access them.
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Practice on Bluebook
Download the Bluebook app and log in with your College Board account information to access test previews for the digital AP Exams.
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Free-Response Questions and Scoring Information
Go to AP Central to review free-response questions and scoring information from past AP Environmental Science exams.
Download
AP Environmental Science Course and Exam Description
This is the core document for the course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the exam and AP Program in general.
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Services for Students with Disabilities
Students with documented disabilities may be eligible for accommodations for the through-course assessment and the end-of-course exam. If you’re using assistive technology and need help accessing the PDFs in this section in another format, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 212-713-8333 or by email at [email protected]. For information about taking AP Exams, or other College Board assessments, with accommodations, visit the Services for Students with Disabilities website.
Credit and Placement
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