If your AP Environmental Science (APES) exam is right around the corner and you’re feeling the pressure, you’re not alone. With so much content—covering ecosystems, energy use, pollution, biodiversity, and more—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
This APES Crash Course is your ultimate last-minute study guide. In just a few focused hours, you can review the most high-yield concepts, refine your exam strategies, and go into test day with confidence.
1. Understand the APES Exam Structure
Before diving into content review, you need to know exactly how you’ll be tested.
Exam format:
- Section I: Multiple Choice (80 questions – 90 minutes – 60% of score)
- Includes sets with data, graphs, and maps
- Mix of standalone and passage-based questions
- Often tests applied environmental science knowledge, not just memorization
- Section II: Free Response (3 questions – 70 minutes – 40% of score)
- Question 1: Document-based (data, graph, or passage) – 10 points
- Question 2: Environmental problem & solution – 10 points
- Question 3: Calculation + analysis – 10 points
Pro tip: Allocate about 1 minute per multiple-choice question and 20–25 minutes per FRQ on test day.
2. Prioritize High-Yield Topics
If you only have a short time to review, focus on topics that are both common and heavily tested.
Most tested APES concepts:
- Unit 1: Ecosystem structure, food chains, primary productivity
- Unit 2: Biodiversity, ecological tolerance, island biogeography
- Unit 3: Human population dynamics, demographic transition
- Unit 4: Plate tectonics, soil types, atmospheric layers
- Unit 5: Tragedy of the commons, sustainable agriculture
- Unit 6: Renewable vs. nonrenewable energy sources
- Unit 7: Air pollution sources & effects, Clean Air Act
- Unit 8: Water pollution, eutrophication, Clean Water Act
- Unit 9: Climate change causes, greenhouse gases, mitigation
Last-minute hack: Use the College Board Course and Exam Description (CED) to target the Learning Objectives with the most past FRQ appearances.
3. Master Key Vocabulary
The APES exam is vocabulary-heavy. In FRQs, correct terminology often means the difference between 0 and 1 point.
Must-know terms:
- Keystone species
- Ecological footprint
- Carrying capacity
- Net primary productivity (NPP)
- Point vs. nonpoint pollution
- Photochemical smog
- Thermal inversion
- Kyoto Protocol & Paris Agreement
- Half-life (radioactive decay)
Crash course tip: Write down terms and definitions on sticky notes and review them during short breaks.
4. FRQ Strategies for Maximum Points
Even with little time left, you can still improve your FRQ performance dramatically.
Document-Based FRQ:
- Identify the independent & dependent variables in graphs
- Look for trends before writing
- Always connect the data to environmental concepts
Problem & Solution FRQ:
- Clearly state the environmental problem
- Provide specific solutions with mechanisms, not vague ideas
- Explain why your solution works
Calculation FRQ:
- Show every step of your math
- Include units in your final answer
- Circle or box your final answer for clarity
5. Last-Minute Math Formulas to Memorize
APES doesn’t provide a formula sheet, so you must recall them on test day.
- Population growth rate: Growth rate (%)=Births−DeathsPopulation×100\text{Growth rate (\%)} = \frac{\text{Births} - \text{Deaths}}{\text{Population}} \times 100
- Doubling time (Rule of 70): Years to double=70Growth rate %\text{Years to double} = \frac{70}{\text{Growth rate \%}}
- Net primary productivity: NPP=GPP−RespirationNPP = GPP - \text{Respiration}
- Energy transfer:
~10% efficiency between trophic levels
6. Multiple Choice Tactics
Last-minute MCQ tips:
- Look for qualifying words: “most likely,” “best example,” “primary cause”
- Eliminate obviously wrong answers first
- Beware of distractors that are technically true but not the most relevant
7. Review with Practice Questions
Even a short session with past APES questions can help you spot weak areas.
Best sources:
- College Board AP Classroom (topic questions + progress checks)
- Released APES exams on the College Board website
- Albert.io for timed practice
Crash course method:
- Do 20–30 MCQs in one sitting
- Review every wrong answer to identify why you missed it
- Practice 1–2 FRQs with a timer
8. Mental Prep & Exam Day Game Plan
Night before:
- Sleep at least 7–8 hours
- Avoid cramming past 10 PM—your brain needs rest to recall information
- Prepare your admission ticket, ID, pencils, and calculator
Morning of:
- Eat a balanced breakfast (protein + slow carbs)
- Hydrate early, not right before the test
- Do a quick review of formulas and vocab in the morning
9. Quick-Reference APES Crash Course Sheet
Make a one-page summary with:
- 10 key formulas
- 15 must-know vocab terms
- The environmental laws chart (Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, etc.)
- Biome characteristics and energy flow basics
FAQs
Q: Can I still improve my APES score in the last week?
Yes. Focusing on FRQ strategies, memorizing formulas, and reviewing high-yield topics can boost your score significantly.
Q: Should I take a full practice test before the exam?
Yes—ideally 3–5 days before test day to mimic timing and identify weak areas.
Q: What’s the biggest last-minute mistake students make?
Ignoring math-based questions—these are easy points if you know the formulas.
Final Call to Action – RevisionDojo
If you want targeted APES study guides, past FRQ breakdowns, and custom score calculators, check out the AP Environmental Science section at RevisionDojo. We provide high-yield review sheets, practice tests, and last-minute strategy packs to help you earn your best score on exam day.
