Get Started with AP Environmental Science

The AP Environmental Science is officially one of the hardest AP classes offered by Collegeboard with only an 8.9% 5 rate, the 4th lowest 5 rate of any exam. Oddly, this is at odds with the opinion that the content is rather simple. The reason for this low 5 rate is mostly because students underestimate the interdisciplinary nature of the course material (and trust me, there is a LOT of course material) as well as the fact that they don't prepare for the format of the FRQ answers. Conquering both these misconceptions will play a large part in getting you the score you want. If you are enrolled in the AP Classroom for your class, make the most of the practice resources and videos provided for you there. Here is an in-depth overview of AP Environmental Science plus the resources, notes, and videos I used to get a 5.

Units and Weighting

As you can see from the table, Unit 9: Global Change is the unit with the most weight (most amount of questions) on the AP Environmental Science exam. However, it is followed close behind by Units 3, 4, 5, and 6. This exam is weighted relatively evenly, meaning the questions on the exam are distributed almost symmetrically among the units. As AP Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary and general approach of the field, each unit covers a different aspect of the course, from biodiversity to weather to energy. It is important to cover each and every one of the units and concepts to be fully prepared for the exam in May. It is also good to recall that the FRQs will often combine multiple units into one question, so you should know how all the units are interconnected.

AP Environmental Science Unit Notes

APES Notes PDF

Here are the notes that I personally made while studying for the AP Environmental Science exam. The first section (pages 1 to 78) are detailed, textbook-style notes that cover a lot of information that may be on the exam. The Full Prep section (pages 79 to 125) cover all the necessary information from Collegeboard and go topic-by-topic. After page 125, my notes encompass the formulas for math needed on the APES exam (you ARE allowed a calculator), environmental legislation needed to know for the exam, and some FRQ practice.

Lecture Videos & Other Resources

If you're self-studying AP Environmental Science or just need that extra help in concepts or units you don't quite understand, video lectures can be the fix for you. There are always the AP Classroom videos, but if you don't find those to your taste, here are the ones I used to help clarify and review for the exam.

Mr. Smedes

When self-studying APES, I came across the absolute gold mine that was Mr. Smedes. He goes unit-by-unit and has various videos for each, has cram sessions before the exam, and has extremely helpful FRQ solving and grading videos that definitely helped up my game before the exam. He is comprehensive and explains in a very easygoing way.

Fiveable

Fiveable is one of my favorite resources. If you don't have a textbook, Fiveable's study guides for each unit and chapter will serve the purpose just as well. They also have a variety of videos, FRQ examples, and cheatsheets.

SS APES

These Simple Studies Review PDFs contain to-the-point, comprehensive bullet points perfect for quick review and recall.

Ult Review Pack

Although the AP Environmental Science Ultimate Review Packet is an investment of $25, I belive that it is definitely worth it. The review videos are by Mr. Smedes and are very comprehensive, going unit-by-unit according to collegeboard guidelines and contains many worksheets and practice questions to bolster understanding.

Exam Format

Section I: Multiple Choice

80 Questions | 1 Hour 30 Minutes | 60% of Exam Score

Individual questions
Set-based questions
- 3–4 sets include quantitative data, such as data tables, charts, or graphs. These questions primarily assess Practice 5, but can also assess Practices 1, 4, 6, or 7.
- 3–4 sets include qualitative data or information, such as models, representations, or maps. These questions primarily assess Practice 2, but can also assess Practices 1, 4, or 7.
- 2 sets include text-based sources. These questions primarily assess Practice 3, but can also assess Practices 1, 6, or 7.

Section II: Free Response

3 Questions | 1 Hour 10 Minutes | 40% of Exam Score

There are 3 free-response questions.:
- Question 1: Design an investigation presents students with an authentic environmental scenario accompanied by either a model/visual representation or quantitative data.
- Question 2: Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution presents students with an authentic environmental scenario accompanied by either a model/visual representation or quantitative data.
- Question 3: Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations presents students with an authentic environmental scenario.