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Unit 10: APES Exam Overview
Unit 10: APES Exam Overview
The AP Environmental Science Exam assesses student understanding of the science practices and learning objectives outlined in Units 1 through 9. The exam is 2 hours and 40 minutes long and includes 80 multiple-choice questions and 3 free-response questions. A four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator is allowed on both sections of the exam. The details of the exam, including exam weighting and timing, can be found below:
Section I: Multiple-Choice Section of the Exam and weighting
Section I: Multiple-Choice Section of the Exam and weighting
The multiple-choice section of the exam assesses the nine units of the course with the following exam weighting.
How APES Science Practices are Assessed in Multiple-Choice
How APES Science Practices are Assessed in Multiple-Choice
The AP Environmental Science practices are assessed on the AP Exam as detailed below. The multiple-choice section includes both individual and set-based questions. All set-based questions include stimulus material:
Three to four sets include quantitative data, such as data tables, charts, or graphs. These questions assess Practice 5, but can also assess Practices 1, 4, 5, or 7.
Three to four 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.
Two sets include text-based sources. These questions primarily assess Practice 3, but can also assess Practices 1, 6, or 7.
Section II: Free Response
Section II: Free Response
The second section of the AP Environmental Science Exam includes three free-response questions.
Free-Response Question 1: Design an investigation presents students with an authentic environmental scenario accompanied by either a model/visual representation or quantitative data, and may assess student ability to:
Describe and/or explain environmental concepts, processes, and models presented in written format (Practice 1).
Analyze visual representations or data (Practice 2 and/or 5).
Analyze research studies that test environmental principles (Practice 4).
Describe environmental problems and/or potential responses (Practice 7).
Free-Response 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, and may assess student ability to:
Describe and/or explain environmental concepts, processes, and models presented in written format (Practice 1)
Analyze visual representations or data (Practice 2 and/or 5).
Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems (Practice 7).
Free-Response Question 3: Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations presents students with an authentic environmental scenario and may assess student ability to:
Describe or explain environmental concepts, processes, and models presented in written format (Practice 1).
Apply quantitative methods to address environmental concepts (Practice 6).
Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems (Practice 7).
Task Verbs Used in Free-Response Questions
Task Verbs Used in Free-Response Questions
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