AP Environmental Science

Mostly Everything You Need to Know About AP Environmental Science

Exam Outline

Section 1: Multiple Choice Questions

Questions Time Exam Weight
80 90 minutes 60%

Section 2: Free Response

Questions Time Exam Weight
3 70 minutes 40%

A calculator is allowed in both sections, but no equation sheets are provided.

Notes

Work in progress

Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4

Course Content

Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems
6%–8% of Exam Score

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 Phosphorus Cycle

1.7 The Hydrologic (Water) Cycle

1.8 Primary Productivity

1.9 Trophic Levels

1.10 Energy Flow and the 10% Rule

1.11 Food Chains and Food Webs

Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity
6%–8% of Exam Score

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

Unit 3: Populations
10%–15% of Exam Score

3.1 Generalist and Specialist Species

3.2 K-Selected and 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

Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources
10%–15% of Exam Score

4.1 Plate Tectonics

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

Unit 5: Land and Water Use
10%–15% of Exam Score

5.1 Tragedy of the Commons

5.2 Agricultural Practices

5.3 Food Production

5.4 Mining and Urbanization

5.5 Ecological Footprints

5.6 Sustainability

5.7 Integrated Pest Management

Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption
10%–15% of Exam Score

6.1 Energy Sources

6.2 Global Energy Consumption

6.3 Fossil Fuels

6.4 Nuclear Energy

6.5 Renewable Energy Sources

6.6 Energy Conservation

Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution
7%–10% of Exam Score

7.1 Introduction to Air Pollution

7.2 Photochemical Smog

7.3 Thermal Inversion

7.4 Air Pollutants

7.5 Acid Deposition

7.6 Noise Pollution

Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution
7%–10% of Exam Score

8.1 Sources of Pollution

8.2 Human Impacts on Ecosystems

8.3 Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification

8.4 Solid Waste Disposal

8.5 Pollution and Human Health

Unit 9: Global Change
15%–20% of Exam Score

9.1 Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

9.2 Greenhouse Effect and Climate Change

9.3 Ocean Warming and Acidification

9.4 Invasive Species

9.5 Endangered Species and Biodiversity Loss

More Resources

Mr. Smedes' Youtube Fiveable Khan Academy Princeton Review Textbook