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AP Human Geography

Human geography, read from the map

AP Human Geography asks why people, ideas and activities are where they are, and what follows from that. Each lesson asks you to predict before it explains, works from maps and data you can read for yourself, and says which mistake every wrong answer comes from. The lessons are being written one unit at a time.

AP Human Geography Exam Monday, May 3, 2027

Start Lesson 1.1 Introduction to Maps

Units

Seven units, numbered as College Board numbers them. Each unit's share of the multiple-choice section is printed beside it, as College Board publishes it.

  1. Unit 1 Thinking Geographically 8–10% of the multiple-choice section · 7 topics
    1. 1.1Introduction to Maps
    2. 1.2Geographic Data
    3. 1.3The Power of Geographic Data
    4. 1.4Spatial Concepts
    5. 1.5Human–Environmental Interaction
    6. 1.6Scales of Analysis
    7. 1.7Regional Analysis

    Unit 1 overviewUnit 1 check

  2. Unit 2 Population and Migration Patterns and Processes 12–17% of the multiple-choice section · 12 topics
    1. 2.1Population Distribution
    2. 2.2Consequences of Population Distribution
    3. 2.3Population Composition
    4. 2.4Population Dynamics
    5. 2.5The Demographic Transition Model
    6. 2.6Malthusian Theory
    7. 2.7Population Policies
    8. 2.8Women and Demographic Change
    9. 2.9Aging Populations
    10. 2.10Causes of Migration
    11. 2.11Forced and Voluntary Migration
    12. 2.12Effects of Migration

    Unit 2 overviewUnit 2 check

  3. Unit 3 Cultural Patterns and Processes 12–17% of the multiple-choice section · 8 topics
    1. 3.1Introduction to Culture
    2. 3.2Cultural Landscapes
    3. 3.3Cultural Patterns
    4. 3.4Types of Diffusion
    5. 3.5Historical Causes of Diffusion
    6. 3.6Contemporary Causes of Diffusion
    7. 3.7Diffusion of Religion and Language
    8. 3.8Effects of Diffusion

    Unit 3 overviewUnit 3 check

  4. Unit 4 Political Patterns and Processes 12–17% of the multiple-choice section · 10 topics
    1. 4.1Introduction to Political Geography
    2. 4.2Political Processes
    3. 4.3Political Power and Territoriality
    4. 4.4Defining Political Boundaries
    5. 4.5The Function of Political Boundaries
    6. 4.6Internal Boundaries
    7. 4.7Forms of Governance
    8. 4.8Defining Devolutionary Factors
    9. 4.9Challenges to Sovereignty
    10. 4.10Consequences of Centrifugal and Centripetal Forces

    Unit 4 overviewUnit 4 check

  5. Unit 5 Agriculture and Rural Land-Use Patterns and Processes 12–17% of the multiple-choice section · 12 topics
    1. 5.1Introduction to Agriculture
    2. 5.2Settlement Patterns and Survey Methods
    3. 5.3Agricultural Origins and Diffusions
    4. 5.4The Second Agricultural Revolution
    5. 5.5The Green Revolution
    6. 5.6Agricultural Production Regions
    7. 5.7Spatial Organization of Agriculture
    8. 5.8Von Thünen Model
    9. 5.9The Global System of Agriculture
    10. 5.10Consequences of Agricultural Practices
    11. 5.11Challenges of Contemporary Agriculture
    12. 5.12Women in Agriculture

    Unit 5 overviewUnit 5 check

  6. Unit 6 Cities and Urban Land-Use Patterns and Processes 12–17% of the multiple-choice section · 11 topics
    1. 6.1The Origin and Influences of Urbanization
    2. 6.2Cities Across the World
    3. 6.3Cities and Globalization
    4. 6.4The Size and Distribution of Cities
    5. 6.5The Internal Structure of Cities
    6. 6.6Density and Land Use
    7. 6.7Infrastructure
    8. 6.8Urban Sustainability
    9. 6.9Urban Data
    10. 6.10Challenges of Urban Changes
    11. 6.11Challenges of Urban Sustainability

    Unit 6 overviewUnit 6 check

  7. Unit 7 Industrial and Economic Development Patterns and Processes 12–17% of the multiple-choice section · 8 topics
    1. 7.1The Industrial Revolution
    2. 7.2Economic Sectors and Patterns
    3. 7.3Measures of Development
    4. 7.4Women and Economic Development
    5. 7.5Theories of Development
    6. 7.6Trade and the World Economy
    7. 7.7Changes as a Result of the World Economy
    8. 7.8Sustainable Development

    Unit 7 overviewUnit 7 check

Labs

Labs for this course are being built.

The exam

The exam is fully digital: you answer every question, multiple-choice and free-response, in the Bluebook app, and your answers are submitted at the end of the exam.

Exam format and practice