How Many AP Human Geography Papers Are There?

Planning your AP Human Geography revision can feel overwhelming when you're not even sure what the exam looks like. You might be wondering how many papers you'll sit, how long each section lasts, or what types of questions you'll face. 

This uncertainty makes it hard to create an effective study plan. Without knowing the exam structure, you can't allocate your time properly or focus on the right skills.

The good news? Understanding the AP Human Geography exam format is straightforward, and we're here to break it down clearly. Once you know exactly what you're facing, you can prepare with confidence.

At Save My Exams, we've helped thousands of students navigate their exam preparation. Our resources are designed specifically for students like you who want clear, practical guidance without the confusion.

Key Takeaways

• There is one AP Human Geography exam with two sections: multiple-choice questions (Section I) and free-response questions (Section II)

• The multiple-choice section has 60 questions, which are to be completed in 60 minutes and accounts for 50% of your final score

• The free-response section has 3 questions to complete in 1 hour 15 minutes and makes up the other 50% of your score

• The 2025 AP Human Geography exam takes place in May each year

How Many Exam Papers Are There In AP Human Geography?

There is one AP Human Geography exam paper, but it's divided into two sections.

The exam consists of Section I (Multiple-Choice Questions) and Section II (Free-Response Questions). Each section tests different skills and counts equally towards your final grade.

Think of it like this: you'll sit down for one exam session lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes total, but you'll tackle two very different types of questions. The first section tests your ability to recognize and analyze geographic concepts quickly. The second section asks you to explain and apply those concepts in written responses.

Both sections are equally important. Each section contributes 50% to your overall exam score, so you can't afford to focus on just one type of question during your revision.

Section I: Multiple-Choice Questions

Section I contains 60 multiple-choice questions that you must complete in 60 minutes. This works out to about one minute per question, so time management is crucial.

These questions aren't just about memorizing facts. You'll be asked to analyze geographic concepts, processes, patterns, and relationships, as well as analyze geographic data from maps, tables, charts, graphs, satellite images, and infographics.

Approximately 30-40% of the multiple-choice questions will reference stimulus material, including maps, tables, charts, graphs, images, infographics, and/or landscapes, roughly evenly divided between quantitative and qualitative sources. This means you need to be comfortable interpreting visual data, not just answering text-based questions.

The questions come in two formats: individual, standalone questions and set-based questions where several questions relate to the same source material.

Scoring: Each correct answer earns you one point. There's no penalty for wrong answers, so it's always worth guessing if you're unsure. Your raw score (the number of correct answers) is then converted into a scaled score that contributes to your final AP grade.

Tips for this section:

• Don't spend too long on any single question—if you're stuck, mark it and move on

• Read all stimulus materials carefully before attempting the related questions

• Eliminate obviously wrong answers to improve your chances when guessing

• Pay attention to geographic terminology and command words in questions

Section II: Free-Response Questions

Section II contains 3 free-response questions (FRQs) that you complete in 1 hour and 15 minutes. This gives you approximately 25 minutes per question.

Each free-response question presents students with an authentic geographic situation or scenario and assesses students' ability to describe, explain, and apply geographic concepts, processes, or models.

The three questions follow a specific pattern:

Question 1: No stimulus material—tests your ability to apply geographic knowledge to a scenario

Question 2: Includes one stimulus (either quantitative or qualitative data)

Question 3: Includes two stimuli that may be quantitative, qualitative, or both

Each FRQ is worth 7 points total, with each sub-question worth 1 point. You'll typically see questions structured with multiple parts or sub-questions (like A, B, C, D, E, F, G) that each require a few sentences to answer.

At least one of the free-response questions assesses students' ability to analyse across geographic scales to explain spatial relationships. This means you might need to connect local, regional, national, and global perspectives in your answer.

What examiners are looking for:

• Specific examples rather than generic statements

• Clear use of geographic vocabulary and concepts

• Direct answers to the task verbs (opens in a new tab)(describe, explain, compare, etc.)

• Evidence that you understand the relationships between geographic processes

Scoring: Each sub-question earns one point. Points are awarded for specific elements in your response, so it's important to address every part of the question clearly.

Scoring Breakdown and Weighting

Both sections of the AP Human Geography exam are weighted equally in your final score.

The multiple-choice section accounts for 50% of your exam score, whilst the free-response section makes up the other 50%.

Here's how the scoring process works:

1. Your raw score from each section is calculated (60 possible points from multiple-choice, 21 possible points from free-response)

2. These raw scores are converted to a composite score

3. The composite score is translated into your final AP score on a scale of 1-5

What you need for different scores:

In 2024, the score distribution (opens in a new tab) was approximately: 18% earned a 5, 20% earned a 4, 18% earned a 3, 14% earned a 2, and 30% earned a 1.

The average AP Human Geography score in 2024 was 2.83 (opens in a new tab), with a pass rate (a score of 3 or higher) of 56.1%.

Most colleges consider a 3 as "qualified," a 4 as "well qualified," and a 5 as "extremely well qualified." However, college credit policies vary—some institutions only award credit for scores of 4 or 5, so check your target universities' requirements.

The exact score thresholds change slightly each year based on exam difficulty, but aiming for at least 65-70% correct across both sections typically puts you in the range for a 4 or 5.

How to Prepare for Each Section

Different question types require different preparation strategies. Here's how to approach each section effectively.

Preparing for Multiple-Choice

Master key vocabulary and concepts

AP Human Geography is packed with specific terminology. Create flashcards for terms from each unit and review them daily. You need to know the difference between concepts like "centripetal" and "centrifugal forces" or "acculturation" and "assimilation" instantly.

Practice with past questions

The best way to prepare for multiple-choice questions is to answer lots of them. Use past papers from the College Board website to familiarize yourself with question styles and difficulty levels. Time yourself to build your pace—remember, you only have one minute per question.

Develop data interpretation skills

Since 30-40% of questions involve stimulus material, spend time practicing how to read maps, graphs, and charts quickly. Look at population pyramids, choropleth maps, and development indicators until you can extract key information efficiently.

Learn to eliminate wrong answers

Many multiple-choice questions can be narrowed down by eliminating obviously incorrect options. Practice this technique with past papers—even if you don't know the right answer, you can often identify what's definitely wrong.

Time management strategies

Don't get stuck on difficult questions. If you're unsure after 60 seconds, make your best guess, mark the question, and move on. You can return to marked questions if you have time at the end.

Preparing for Free-Response

Understand command terms

Free-response questions use specific command words that tell you exactly what to do. "Describe" means explain what something is like. "Explain" means give reasons why something happens. "Compare" means to identify similarities and differences. Know what each command term requires and answer accordingly.

Practice structuring answers

While a formal essay is not required, it is not enough to answer a question by merely listing facts. Write in complete sentences that clearly address each part of the question. Use one paragraph per sub-question for clarity.

Use specific examples

Generic answers earn fewer points. Instead of saying "a country," name an actual country. Instead of "a city faces problems," specify "Mumbai faces water scarcity and air pollution challenges." Specific examples demonstrate real understanding.

Work with sample prompts

Save My Exams provides original multiple-choice (opens in a new tab) and free-response questions, with mark scheme guidance, together with examiner tips from expert AP teachers and readers. The College Board (opens in a new tab) also provides examples of past free-response questions. Study these carefully. Look at what earned full points and what didn't. Try answering past questions yourself, then compare your response to the rubric.

Time your practice

Set a 25-minute timer when practicing FRQs. This helps you gauge how much detail you can include within the time limit. If you consistently run over time, practice writing more concisely.

Address every sub-question

Each sub-question is worth one point. If a question has seven parts (A through G), make sure you provide seven distinct answers. Don't combine parts or skip any—you'll miss out on easy points.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the AP Human Geography exam all on one day?

Yes, the AP Human Geography exam takes place on a single day. For 2025, the exam was on Tuesday, 6th May.

You'll complete both the multiple-choice and free-response sections in one sitting, with a total exam time of 2 hours and 15 minutes. You won't leave the exam room until you've finished both parts.

How long is the AP Human Geography exam?

The AP Human Geography exam is 2 hours and 15 minutes in total.

This breaks down into 60 minutes for the multiple-choice section and 1 hour and 15 minutes for the free-response section. You'll need to manage your time carefully within each section, as you won't be able to go back to the multiple-choice questions once you've started the free-response section.

What is the hardest section of the AP Human Geography exam?

This varies by student, but many find the free-response section more challenging because it requires you to produce detailed written answers rather than recognize correct information.

The free-response questions demand that you can explain geographic concepts clearly, use specific examples, and apply your knowledge to new scenarios. You can't rely on recognition alone—you need to demonstrate genuine understanding.

However, some students struggle with the time pressure of the multiple-choice section, especially when questions involve complex stimulus material that takes time to interpret.

The best approach? Don't assume one section will be easier. Prepare thoroughly for both.

How are the free-response questions graded?

Free-response questions are scored using detailed rubrics. Each question is worth 7 points total, with each sub-question (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) typically worth 1 point.

Trained AP readers (typically AP Human Geography teachers) evaluate your responses based on specific criteria outlined in the rubric. They're looking for accurate use of geographic concepts, clear explanations, and appropriate examples.

You earn points for demonstrating specific elements of knowledge. For instance, if a sub-question asks you to "explain one environmental effect of agricultural land use," you'd earn the point by providing a clear explanation of a specific environmental effect (like soil degradation or water pollution) linked to agricultural practices.

Partial credit isn't awarded for individual sub-questions—you either earn the point or you don't. However, you can still earn points on other parts of the question even if you miss one part.

Final Thoughts

The AP Human Geography exam consists of one paper with two sections: 60 multiple-choice questions and 3 free-response questions. Each section counts for 50% of your score and tests different aspects of your geographic knowledge and skills.

Understanding this format is the first step to effective revision. Now you know what you're facing, you can divide your study time appropriately between practicing multiple-choice questions and crafting written responses.

Focus on building both your content knowledge and your exam technique. Master the key vocabulary and concepts from all seven units. Practice interpreting visual data quickly. Learn to write clear, specific answers to free-response questions using proper geographic terminology.

The exam is challenging, but it's also highly structured and predictable. With the right preparation, you can approach each section with confidence.

Ready to start your revision? Check out Save My Exams' comprehensive AP Human Geography resources, including topic questions, model answers, and revision notes designed to help you achieve your target grade.

References

• AP Human Geography Exam – AP Central | College Board (opens in a new tab)

• 2025 AP® Human Geography Free-Response Questions Set 1 (opens in a new tab)

• AP Human Geography Exam – AP Students | College Board (opens in a new tab)