Current State of AP Human Geography
Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography is a popular college-level course offered in high schools across the United States. It is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the world’s human geography, including the study of population, cultural, political, economic, and environmental issues.
The College Board, which administers the AP program, reports that over 240,000 students took the AP Human Geography exam in 2021. This represents a significant increase from the 180,000 students who took the exam in 2010.
Factors Contributing to Growth of AP Human Geography
There are several factors that have contributed to the growth of AP Human Geography in recent years, including:
- Increased awareness of the importance of global issues
- Growing interest in studying the human condition
- Desire for a more rigorous academic challenge
Challenges Facing AP Human Geography
Despite its popularity, AP Human Geography also faces some challenges, including:
- Lack of qualified teachers
- Limited resources
- High workload
Importance of AP Human Geography
AP Human Geography is an important course for students who want to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them. It can help students to:
- Develop critical thinking skills
- Understand the causes and consequences of global issues
- Prepare for college and careers in fields such as international relations, development, and education
How to Succeed in AP Human Geography
There are several things that students can do to succeed in AP Human Geography, including:
- Study regularly
- Take practice exams
- Join a study group
- Get help from a tutor
Conclusion
AP Human Geography is a challenging but rewarding course that can help students to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them. By studying the course, students can develop critical thinking skills, understand the causes and consequences of global issues, and prepare for college and careers in fields such as international relations, development, and education.
Additional Resources
- College Board: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-human-geography
- National Council for Geographic Education: https://www.ncge.org/
- Association of American Geographers: https://www.aag.org/
Table 1: AP Human Geography Course Content
| Unit | Topics |
|---|---|
| Unit 1 | The Nature of Geography |
| Unit 2 | Population |
| Unit 3 | Cultural Patterns and Processes |
| Unit 4 | Political Geography |
| Unit 5 | Economic Geography |
| Unit 6 | Urban Geography |
| Unit 7 | Rural Geography |
| Unit 8 | Environmental Geography |
Table 2: AP Human Geography Exam Format
| Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Choice | 60 | 60 minutes |
| Free Response | 3 | 90 minutes |
Table 3: Sample AP Human Geography Free Response Questions
| Question | Points |
|---|---|
| Describe the factors that have contributed to the growth of megacities in the developing world. | 7 |
| Analyze the causes and consequences of climate change. | 7 |
| Evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies for reducing poverty. | 7 |
Table 4: Tips for Succeeding in AP Human Geography
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Study regularly | Review your notes and readings on a regular basis. |
| Take practice exams | Familiarize yourself with the exam format and practice answering different types of questions. |
| Join a study group | Collaborate with other students to review material and discuss concepts. |
| Get help from a tutor | Seek additional support from a qualified tutor if needed. |
| Be prepared on exam day | Get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at the exam on time. |