Exam timing
On exam day, you'll click on the link in your e-ticket 30 minutes before the start time for your exam and fill in some information.
A timer will show how much time remains until the start of the exam.
Once the exam starts, the first exam question will automatically appear, and another timer will start counting down.
Your timer will show 30 minutes. You should take 25 minutes to read the question and work on your response, and 5 minutes to submit it. When the timer gets to 5 minutes, an alert will show. Stop working at that time and begin to submit your response. Once your response to Question 1 has been submitted, you can’t go back to it.
When your submission for Question 1 is complete, the second exam question will appear and the timer will show 20 minutes. You should take 15 minutes to read the question and work on your response and 5 minutes to submit it. Again, the timer will give you an alert when 5 minutes remain. Stop working at that time and begin to submit your response.
What to have ready on exam day
Required
- e-ticket email (you’ll receive this two days before your exam)
- Completed Exam Day Checklist, including AP ID
- Device: laptop, tablet, smartphone, desktop computer
- Browser: Chrome (recommended), Firefox, Safari, or Edge
- Internet or cellular connection
- Assistive technology and devices (if applicable, for students approved to test with accommodations)
Recommended for students typing responses
- Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Notes, or another app to enter and save text
Permitted
- Your class notes or study guides
- Textbooks and other classroom resources
- Previous assignments or assessments
Questions
Question 1 (25 mins.)
% of exam weight (rounded) |
60% |
---|---|
Question name |
Design an Investigation |
Question description |
Question 1 presents students with an authentic environmental scenario accompanied by either a model/visual representation or quantitative data, and may assess students’ ability to:
|
Corresponding free-response question (FRQ) type in the course and exam description binder |
FRQ 1 2020 Question 1 has been lengthened from an FRQ as described in the 2019-20 course and exam description, in order to fit the 25-minute working period. Students will not be asked to provide (nor will be granted points for providing) basic definitions—rather, the question will focus on environmental concepts, processes and models, and how they interrelate and apply to environmental scenarios. |
Question 2 (15 mins.)
% of exam weight (rounded) |
40% |
---|---|
Question name |
Analyze an Environmental Problem and Propose a Solution |
Question description |
Question 2 presents students with an authentic environmental scenario accompanied by either a model/visual representation or quantitative data, and may assess students’ ability to:
|
Corresponding free-response question (FRQ) type in the course and exam description binder |
FRQ 2 2020 Question 2 has been shortened from an FRQ as described in the 2019-20 course and exam description, in order to fit the 15-minute working period. Students will not be asked to provide (nor will be granted points for providing) basic definitions—rather, the question will focus on environmental concepts, processes and models, and how they interrelate and apply to environmental scenarios. |
What’s covered
Units eligible for 2020 exam: Units 1–7
Units not included in 2020 exam: Units 8–9
Sample Questions for the 2020 exam
Download example questions (.pdf/730 KB) similar to what you'll see on the 2020 AP Environmental Science Exam.
2020 primary exam date and times
The May AP Exams are complete. For reference, here is the past primary exam date and time for this course.
Date: May 18 |
---|
Hawaii Time: 10 a.m. |
Makeup test date and times
The early-June AP makeup exams are complete. For reference, here is the past makeup exam date and time for this course.
Date: June 3 |
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Hawaii Time: 8 a.m. Alaska Time: 10 a.m. Pacific Time: 11 a.m. Mountain Time: 12 p.m. Central Time: 1 p.m. Eastern Time: 2 p.m. |
Exception testing date and times
The late-June AP exception testing exams are complete. For reference, here is the past exception testing exam date and time for this course.
Date: June 24 |
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Hawaii Time: 6 a.m. |