♻️ 2023 AP Environmental Science Study Plan
Welcome to this plethora of resources that cover everything! This toolkit is constantly being updated with more resources! AP Environmental Science is a college-level course where you will develop an understanding of relationships in the natural world through inquiry-driven investigation and field work.
The AP Environmental Science Exam
A breakdown of the exam content by percentage.
| Unit | Exam Weighting (MCQ) |
|---|---|
| Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems | 6%–8% |
| Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity | 6%–8% |
| Unit 3: Populations | 10%–15% |
| Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources | 10%–15% |
| Unit 5: Land and Water Use | 10%–15% |
| Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption | 10%–15% |
| Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution | 7%–10% |
| Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution | 7%–10% |
| Unit 9: Global Change | 15%–20% |
Science Practices
By taking AP Environmental, you’ll gain a variety of skills that will help you think and practice like a environmental scientist.
| Skill | Description | Exam Weighting (MCQ) | Exam Weighting (FRQ) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Concept Explanation | Explain environmental concepts, processes, and models presented in written format | 30%–38% | 13%–20% |
| 2. Visual Representations | Analyze visual representations of environmental concepts and processes | 12%–19% | 6%–10% |
| 3. Text Analysis | Analyze sources of information about environmental issues | 6%–8% | Not assessed in free-response section. |
| 4. Scientific Experiments | Analyze research studies that test environmental principles | 2%–4% | 10%–14% |
| 5. Data Analysis | Analyze and interpret quantitative data represented in tables, charts, and graphs | 12%–19% | 6%–10% |
| 6. Mathematical Routines | Apply quantitative methods to address environmental concepts | 6%–9% | 20% |
| 7. Environmental Solutions | Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems | 17%–23% | 26%–34% |
Study Guides for Every Unit
🏜 Unit 1 - The Living World: Ecosystems
- 1.0 Unit 1 Overview
- 1.1 Introduction to Ecosystems
- 1.2 Terrestrial Biomes
- 1.3 Aquatic Biomes
- 1.4 The Carbon Cycle
- 1.5 The Nitrogen Cycle
- 1.6 The Phosphorous Cycle
- 1.7 The Hydrologic Cycle
- 1.8 Primary Productivity
- 1.9 Trophic Levels
- 1.10 Energy Flow and the 10% Rule
- 1.11 Food Chains and Food Webs
- 1.12 Multiple Choice Questions
- 1.13 MC Answers and Review
🐠 Unit 2 - The Living World: Biodiversity
- 2.0 Unit 2 Overview
- 2.1 Introduction to Biodiversity
- 2.2 Ecosystem Services
- 2.3 Island Biogeography
- 2.4 Ecological Tolerance
- 2.5 Natural Disruptions to Ecosystems
- 2.6 Adaptations
- 2.7 Ecological Succession
- 2.8 Multiple Choice Questions
- 2.9 MC Answers and Review
👪 Unit 3 - Populations
- 3.0 Unit 3 Overview
- 3.1 Generalist and Specialist Species
- 3.2 K-Selected r-Selected Species
- 3.3 Survivorship Curves
- 3.4 Carrying Capacity
- 3.5 Population Growth and Resource Availability
- 3.6 Age Structure Diagrams
- 3.7 Total Fertility Rate
- 3.8 Human Population Dynamics
- 3.9 Demographic Transition
- 3.10 Multiple Choice Questions
- 3.11 MC Answers and Review
🌏 Unit 4 - Earth Systems and Resources
- 4.0 Unit 4 Overview
- 4.1 Tectonic Plates
- 4.2 Soil Formation and Erosion
- 4.3 Soil Composition and Properties
- 4.4 Earth's Atmosphere
- 4.5 Global Wind Patterns
- 4.6 Watersheds
- 4.7 Solar Radiation and Earth's Seasons
- 4.8 Earth's Geography and Climate
- 4.9 El Niño and La Niña
- 4.10 Multiple Choice Questions
- 4.11 MC Answers and Review
🏖 Unit 5 - Land and Water Use
- 5.0 Unit 5 Overview
- 5.1 The Tragedy of the Commons
- 5.2 Clearcutting
- 5.3 The Green Revolution
- 5.4 Impacts of Agricultural Practices
- 5.5 Irrigation Methods
- 5.6 Pest Control Methods
- 5.7 Meat Production Methods
- 5.8 Impacts of Overfishing
- 5.9 Impacts of Mining
- 5.10 Impacts of Urbanization
- 5.11 Ecological Footprints
- 5.12 Intro to Sustainability
- 5.13 Methods to Reduce Urban Runoff
- 5.14 Integrated Pest Management
- 5.15 Sustainable Agriculture
- 5.16 Aquaculture
- 5.17 Sustainable Forestry
- 5.18 Multiple Choice Questions
- 5.19 MC Answers and Review
- Bonus: Required Environmental Legislation
⚡️ Unit 6 - Energy Resources and Consumption
- 6.0 Unit 6 Overview
- 6.1 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
- 6.2 Global Energy Consumption
- 6.3 Fuel Types and Uses
- 6.4 Distribution of Natural Resources
- 6.5 Fossil Fuels
- 6.6 Nuclear Power
- 6.7 Energy from Biomass
- 6.8 Solar Energy
- 6.9 Hydroelectric Power
- 6.10 Geothermal Energy
- 6.11 Hydrogen Fuel Cell
- 6.12 Wind Energy
- 6.13 Energy Conservation
- 6.14 Multiple Choice Questions
- 6.15 MC Answers and Review
💨 Unit 7 - Atmospheric Pollution
- 7.0 Unit 7 Overview
- 7.1 Introduction to Air Pollution
- 7.2 Photochemical Smog
- 7.3 Thermal Inversion
- 7.4 Atmospheric CO2 and Particulates
- 7.5 Indoor Air Pollutants
- 7.6 Reduction of Air Pollutants
- 7.7 Acid Rain
- 7.8 Noise Pollution
- 7.9 Multiple Choice Questions
- 7.10 MC Answers and Review
♻️ Unit 8 - Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution
- 8.0 Unit 8 Overview
- 8.1 Sources of Pollution
- 8.2 Human Impacts on Ecosystems
- 8.3 Endocrine Disruptors
- 8.4 Human Impacts on Wetlands and Mangroves
- 8.5 Eutrophication
- 8.6 Thermal Pollution
- 8.7 Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
- 8.8 Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification
- 8.9 Solid Waste Disposal
- 8.10 Waste Reduction Methods
- 8.11 Sewage Treatment
- 8.12 Lethal Dose 50% (LD50)
- 8.13 Dose Response Curve
- 8.14 Pollution and Human Health
- 8.15 Pathogens and Infectious Diseases
- 8.16 Multiple Choice Questions
- 8.17 MC Answers and Review
🔥 Unit 9 - Global Change
- 9.0 Unit 9 Overview
- 9.1 Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
- 9.2 Reducing Ozone Depletion
- 9.3 The Greenhouse Effect
- 9.4 Increases in the Greenhouse Gases
- 9.5 Global Climate Change
- 9.6 Ocean Warming
- 9.7 Ocean Acidification
- 9.8 Invasive Species
- 9.9 Endangered Species
- 9.10 Human Impacts on Biodiversity
- 9.11 Multiple Choice Questions
- 9.12 MC Answers and Review
- Bonus: Major Environmental Disasters
AP Environmental Science MCQ
- ❓AP Environmental Science Multiple Choice: A complete breakdown of the multiple-choice section, including examples, practice problems, and expert advice
- ✍🏽 Environmental Science Free Response Questions: A complete breakdown of the FRQ writing and thinking process. Examples and practice prompts are included.
Quicklinks
- 🗂 Best AP Environmental Science Textbooks and Prep Books: Whether you're looking into resources for review or self-studying, textbooks and prep books are a great option for print study. Here are a few tried-and-true textbooks and prep books that can help you get started!
- ❓ Is AP Environmental Science Hard? Is AP Environmental Science Worth Taking?: If you're thinking about taking AP Environmental Science, you're probably wondering about the difficulty and if the course is worth it.
- 🏫 How Do I Self-Study AP Environmental Science?: Want to take AP Environmental Science, but your school doesn't offer it, or you're homeschooling? Consider self-studying! You can create a customized experience and take the AP exam at the end of the year.
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