Advanced Placement (AP) Environmental Science (also known as APES, AP Enviro, AP Environmental, AP Environment, or AP EnviroSci) is a course and exam offered by the American College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program to high school students interested in the environmental and natural sciences. AP Environmental Science was first offered in the 1997–1998 school year.
Course
This course is designed to provide students with scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies necessary to comprehend the relationships abundant within the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems, to evaluate relative risks associated with these identified problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing similar problems facing the global environment.[1] Lessons are taught in classroom settings as well as in the field through outdoor classrooms, field trips, and volunteer activities.
Topics covered in AP Environmental Science,[2] according to the College Board, as of Fall 2019 include:
Unit
Topic
Topics May Include
Exam Weighting
1
The Living World: Ecosystems
Introduction to ecosystems
Terrestrial and aquatic biomes
Primary productivity
Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and water cycles
Trophic levels
The flow of energy in an ecosystem and the 10% rule
Food chains and food webs
6–8%
2
The Living World: Biodiversity
Introduction to biodiversity
Ecosystem services
Island biogeography
Ecological tolerance
Natural disruptions to ecosystems
Ecological succession
6–8%
3
Populations
Generalist and specialist species
Survivorship curves
Population growth and resource availability
Age structure diagrams
Human population dynamics
10–15%
4
Earth Systems and Resources
Tectonic plates
Soil formation and erosion
Earth's atmosphere
Global wind patterns
Earth's geography and climate
El Niño and La Niña
10–15%
5
Land and Water Use
The tragedy of the commons
The Green Revolution
Types and effects of irrigation
Pest-control methods
Meat production methods and overfishing
The impacts of mining
Urbanization and ecological footprints
Introduction to sustainable practices including crop rotation and aquaculture
10–15%
6
Energy Resources and Consumption
Energy sources and fuel types, including fossil fuels, ethanol, and nuclear power
Global energy consumption and distribution of natural resources
Natural sources of energy, including solar power, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric power
Energy conservation methods
10–15%
7
Atmospheric Pollution
Introduction to air pollution
Photochemical smog
Indoor air pollution
Methods to reduce air pollutants
Acid rain
Noise pollution
7–10%
8
Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution
Sources of pollution
Human impact on ecosystems
Thermal pollution
Solid waste disposal and waste reduction methods
Pollution and human health
Pathogens and infectious diseases
7–10%
9
Global Change
Ozone depletion
Global climate change
Ocean warming and acidification
Invasive species
Human impacts on diversity
15–20%
Topics covered in AP Environmental Science prior to Fall 2019 include:
Topic
Percent
Earth Systems and Resources
10–15%
The Living World
10–15%
Population
10–15%
Land and Water use
10–15%
Energy Resources and Consumption
10–15%
Pollution
25–30%
Global Change
10–15%
These topics cover a broad range of subject matter in order to prepare students for environmental science roles and interdisciplinary disciplines.
Skills practiced in AP Environmental Science, according to the College Board
Skill
Description
Exam Weighting (Multiple Choice Section)
Exam Weighting (Free-Response Section)
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%
Exam
The AP Environmental Science exam is divided into a multiple choice and free response section.
Old exam (1998–2019)
The old exam was 3 hours long and contained two sections:[3][4]
Section II: Free-Response (one data-set question, one document-based question, and two synthesis and evaluation questions, 90 minutes).
Current exam (2020–present)
As of fall 2019, multiple changes have been made to the AP Environmental Science exam. These changes include but are not limited to: allowed calculator use, changes in the number of multiple choice questions, the use of stimuli in multiple choice questions, and changes in free response questions.
According to the College Board: "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."[2] The exam is fully online using the Bluebook testing app. All responses are submitted upon exam completion.
The new exam contains two sections with slight changes:[5]
Section II: Free-Response (one investigation design question, one solution to an environmental problem proposal question, and one solution to an environmental problem proposal question with calculations, 70 minutes).
Grade distribution
The percentage of students scoring a grade of "5" was only 7.0% in the 2021 testing administration. It remains one of the lowest "5" scoring AP Exams to this date right under AP Art History, AP English Literature & Composition, AP English Language & Composition, and AP World History. The AP Environmental Science exam was first administered in 1998.
