AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY FRQ ADVICE #1   Don't Panic –This is the first rule of the universe! When you see the question your first response may be “I don’t remember this from class!" Okay, you have one minute to think this and get over it.   Now, take a big breath.  This may be true but you know I did teach you some of the elements... Read the question....break it down...figure out what can you answer and answer it..... (Unfortunately the answer will probably not be 42…) There may be context clues in the FRQ Go answer another question and come back to this one, etc…

FRQ = Free Response Question FRQ writing is technical/professional writing, it is not flowery, literary, etc.. You will have 3 FRQs to respond to. This will count as ½ of your APHG exam score. FRQs range from around 3 points to 12 points each usually. ALWAYS write something geographic: you will not get more than a 3 if you leave an FRQ blank.

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY ADVICE #2  Always remember to "THINK GEOGRAPHICALLY".  This is a geography test not a history test.  Location, Scale, and Time are important.  

APHG advice > Concepts vs Examples Don’t get overwhelmed….  Separate the material >> Concepts vs Examples Concepts (big ideas) "zoom out" to establish a concept (global scale) Examples (places on the ground) "zoom in" towards an example and use facts, facts, facts (regional, local scale)

The big nine ideas in geography are:    Location - Where is it?    Distribution - How is it arranged?    Spatial association - This goes with that.    Distance - How far is it?    Region - Common ground    Spatial interaction - How strongly related?    Scale - How big is it?    Movement - Where to next?    Spatial change over time - Before and after Check out this Australian geography webpage for more on the nine concepts:    http://www.gtav.asn.au/Units/spatialconcepts/index.htm

DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE DEMOGRAPHICS > IMR, FT APHG Magic phrases TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE EDUCATION OF WOMEN DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE DEMOGRAPHICS > IMR, FT You can be more successful in APHG if you can work these concepts correctly into your FRQs… 

Keep Geographic Scale in your mind and in your answer…. ‘Change your scale, change your viewpoint’ > LOCAL >> REGIONAL >> GLOBAL

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY ADVICE #3  Practice--Go to the College Board Web Site and look at the previous questions.  Notice how they can be approached from different subject areas (they usually cover more than one topic).   Go ahead and do and outline for 5 minutes.  Then try writing a response in 20 minutes. Then look at the rubric and see if you hit the right points.  

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY ADVICE Label the different sections or at least start a new paragraph for each part of the question.   Underline appropriate terms.   For example if the question asks for the definition of a nation......then underline the word nation so the reader can see..."Oh yes here is the definition."   #4  Assume the reader is tired....it is the end of the day...they have been grading since 8:00....Help the reader find the answer.  

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY ADVICE #5  One last hint---and this comes up at every reading---ANSWER THE QUESTION--don't ramble....yes it is better to try to answer the question instead of leaving it blank....but don't show off....if you have answered the question don't keep writing in order to tell the reader everything you have learned in APHG this year.  

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY ADVICE Which goes back to # 1   Break the FRQ down Answer each part from the geographic perspective (#2) Help the reader know that this is your answer (#4).

Last minute APHG advice… The MCQ are norm referenced meaning that they will grade your test based on how well the overall group did ie…there may be a curve. MCQs = 50% Nail this if you are not so good at essays FRQs = 50% Nail your essays if you are not so good at objective tests Nail both and get a 5! OMITTING ANSWERS + 1 for each correct answer .25 for each wrong answer No answer = no score to a point… can leave 10 blank and still be okay. If you miss 30 or so, your test will still be ‘scored’ ie you will get a 3 of 5 on the MCQs.

Nature/Perspectives/Resources

Resources

Population/migration

Culture

Political

Agriculture/rural land use

Eco Development/Industry

Urban and Services