AP Environmental Science Exam Day Checklist – What to Bring, Do, and Avoid

Bring only what you’re allowed — and what will help you perform your best.

Required Items

• Your Admission Ticket (printed from your College Board account)
• Valid Photo ID (school or government-issued)
• #2 Pencils (wooden, sharpened, not mechanical) for multiple choice
• Blue or Black Pens for FRQs (must be dark ink, no gel pens)
• Approved Calculator for APES (see College Board’s current list)
• Eraser (clean, with no large eraser shavings)

Optional (But Helpful)

• Small snack (for breaks only, not during the exam)
• Water bottle (clear, label removed if required)
• Sweater or hoodie (test rooms can be cold)

Banned Items (Leave These at Home or in Your Bag Outside)

• Phones, smartwatches, or any electronics
• Study notes or books
• Highlighters (not allowed on multiple choice)
• Scratch paper (provided by the proctor)
• Mechanical pencils

RevisionDojo Pro Tip: Double-check calculator rules. For APES, graphing calculators are allowed, but they must meet the College Board’s policy.

3. Morning-of Exam Routine

Your brain runs on oxygen, glucose, and water — not caffeine overload and nerves.

• Sleep: Get 7–9 hours the night before.
• Breakfast: Eat complex carbs + protein (e.g., oatmeal + eggs, or toast + peanut butter). Avoid heavy sugar to prevent energy crashes.
• Hydration: Start drinking water early in the morning, but don’t overdo it before the test.
• Light Review: Spend 20–30 minutes skimming key environmental laws, major biogeochemical cycles, and formulas.

RevisionDojo Pro Tip: Avoid cramming. Last-minute panic studying can raise anxiety and hurt performance.

4. Time Management on the APES Exam

The APES exam is fast-paced, but with a plan, you can maximize points.

Multiple Choice (90 minutes, 80 questions)

• Aim for 1 minute per question.
• Flag tough questions and come back later — don’t get stuck.
• Read carefully for “EXCEPT” or “NOT” wording.

Free Response (70 minutes, 3 questions)

• Read all FRQs first — decide the order that plays to your strengths.
• Label all parts clearly (a, b, c…) so graders can find your answers.
• In calculation questions, always show work — you can get partial credit even with a wrong final answer.

RevisionDojo Pro Tip: Never leave anything blank on FRQs. Even a partial idea can earn points.

5. Mindset and Stress Management

Staying calm under pressure boosts your recall and helps you think clearly.

• Breathing Technique: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4. Repeat 3–4 times to lower your heart rate.
• Reframe Nerves: Nervous energy means your body is ready to perform.
• Focus on the Next Question, Not the Last One: If you mess up, move on immediately.

RevisionDojo Pro Tip: Pack something small and comforting (like a hair tie, bracelet, or coin) to hold before the test — it can help ground you.

6. Last-Minute Review List

The night before and morning of, focus on:

• Key environmental laws (Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, CERCLA)
• Energy types and their pros/cons
• Biogeochemical cycles (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus)
• Population growth models (exponential vs logistic)
• Major pollutants and their impacts
• Math formulas you’ll need (energy, efficiency, population change)

Avoid starting any new topics on exam day — it will only add stress.

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Bringing banned items (can result in score cancellation)
• Forgetting to label FRQ parts correctly
• Skipping units you “think” won’t appear (College Board rotates topics)
• Not showing math work
• Running out of time by overthinking early MCQs

8. Post-Exam Tips

• Don’t dwell on questions you think you missed — scores take weeks.
• Write down any topics you struggled with for future AP classes.
• Celebrate your hard work! APES is a challenging exam, and finishing is an achievement in itself.

FAQs – APES Exam Day

Q: Can I use a mechanical pencil on the APES exam?
A: No — only #2 wooden pencils are accepted for MCQs.

Q: Will I need to memorize environmental laws?
A: Yes, knowing names, purposes, and key provisions is essential for FRQs.

Q: Can I use my phone as a calculator?
A: No — only College Board-approved calculators are allowed.

Final Call to Action

Exam day success starts with being prepared before you walk in.
From knowing what to bring, to managing your time, to avoiding rookie mistakes — this checklist gives you the confidence to perform your best.

For more APES guides, past FRQ practice, and targeted last-minute study plans, visit RevisionDojo — your go-to resource for crushing AP exams.