AP Human Geography

Course Description

AP Human Geography is a college-level course that introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that shape human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students explore topics such as population, migration, culture, urbanization, agriculture, and development across different regions and scales.

The course emphasizes spatial thinking, data analysis, and geographic models—skills that are valuable for understanding global trends and human-environment interactions.

Key Components:

Study of population distribution, migration, and demographic patterns
Analysis of cultural landscapes and diffusion of ideas, languages, and religions
Examination of urban, political, agricultural, and economic systems
Application of geographic models and interpretation of maps, graphs, and data

AP Exam Details

AP Human Geography concludes with a traditional end-of-course exam administered by the College Board. Students are assessed on their understanding of spatial concepts, use of geographic tools, and ability to analyze human patterns and processes. The exam includes:

Multiple-choice questions that test knowledge of geographic concepts, models, and data interpretation.

Free-response questions that require students to apply geographic reasoning, use specific examples, and analyze spatial relationships.

These components are scored by the College Board and collectively make up 100% of the AP Human Geography score.

Helpful Info

What is AP Human Geography? (Explained)

Mr. Sinn

Everything You Need to Know

Mr. Sinn

Three Tips to Crush Your AP Human Geography Exam

Heimler's History

"This class was my favorite class. My teacher was really helpful and a lot of the content is useful in my day to day life."

Veer

Student

AP Human Geography Score Distribution

From 2020 to 2023, AP Human Geography pass rates declined slightly, from 59.0% in 2020 to a low of 54.4% in 2023. Mean scores remained relatively flat, hovering around 2.70–2.75, while the percentage of 1s rose steadily to over 31%.
In 2024, performance remained stagnant, with a pass rate of 56.1% and nearly 30% of students earning a 1—still a historically high proportion of low scores.
In 2025, student performance improved: the pass rate rose to 65%, the highest since 2020, and the mean score increased to 2.83. The proportion of 1s dropped sharply to 10%, while 25% earned a 4 and 17% earned a 5—marking a significant rebound in AP Human Geography outcomes.

AP Human Geography Forum

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Use this space to exchange strategies, get feedback on FRQ responses or study tools, and learn what works when applying geographic models and analyzing spatial data. Whether you're working on vocabulary retention or case study examples, this section is here to help you sharpen your skills and grow your confidence.

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