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AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY ADVICE • #1 Don't Panic--when the student sees the question their first response will probably be “Mr. Sandefur did not teach us this....I wasted my time in his class." Okay you have one minute to think this and get over it. Now, take a big breath. This may be true but he did teach you some of the elements...read the question....break it down...what can you answer.....
AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY ADVICE • #2 Always remember to "THINK GEOGRAPHICALLY". This is a geography test not a history test. Location, Scale, , Place and Time are important.
Okay, the policy in the past has been that once the rubric is set the scorers are looking for particular points and we do not take off points for wrong answers. Points are only given for right responses. When an example is asked for the first example is scored. Additional answers beyond what is asked for are not considered at all. They cannot get credit for the shot gun approach where they attempt to hit something by giving multiple answers.
From David Palmer, APHG teacher The FRQ's on the AP Human Geography exam are scored on a valueadded basis. What this means is that you earn points and don't losepoints for incorrect answers. The FRQs are scored based on a contentrubric that is developed by the test development committee and a set ofquestion leaders and table leaders. In most cases students are rewarded for information that is correct andstated in a manner that is consistent with the rubric. An exception tothis can occur when a student proposes two answers that contradict eachother. Last years Mexico question illustrated this. If a student statedMexico was and example of "primate city model" and that it fit the "ranksize rule" this created a contradiction of answers. No point was awardedbecause of the contradiction. The issue of examples and how they are handled can vary slightlybetween questions. In general students are not penalized for beingthorough and detailed in their writing. If a student provides more thanone example it is very good advice to have them put their best examplefirst in case the rubric only allows for the first example.
If the question specifies a specific number of examples (ie two examples),I advise my students to use the "and 1" principle. I have my studentsgive three examples with their best examples first. The rational - Many students think they are giving twoexamples when in reality they are only providing one example with moredetails and explanation. The "and 1" principle gets students to moreexpand their writing and provide more details. In general readers are notpunitive when a writer adds one more example. They view this as beingdetailed. Warning - adding more than one extra example will be viewed asexcessive and activate readers to only accept the first example. If the question does not specify a number of examples, students areinstructed to give two. In fact my rule is "when do we give examples anddetails? Always!!"
AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY ADVICE • #3 Practice--Go to the College Board Web Site and look at the previous questions.
AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY ADVICE • #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. 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."
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) and help the reader know that this is your answer (#4).
