how to self study ap human geography (and get a 5)
TLDRThe speaker shares their successful experience with self-studying for the AP Human Geography exam, achieving a perfect score. They emphasize the importance of evaluating one's readiness for self-study, creating a realistic study plan, and utilizing diagnostic exams for assessment. The speaker recommends specific prep books, online resources like Quizlet and YouTube channels, and reaching out to teachers for additional support. They also stress the value of practicing with released exam questions and simulating test conditions to enhance understanding and performance.
Takeaways
- π Assess your interest and overlap with other subjects before self-studying AP Human Geography.
- π― The exam format for AP Human Geography is simpler than other AP subjects, making it easier to self-study.
- ποΈ Create a realistic study plan and adjust expectations to avoid demotivation.
- π Take a diagnostic exam early to understand your starting point and areas for improvement.
- π Use prep books like Princeton Review for comprehensive content review.
- ποΈ Engage with the material by taking notes, highlighting, and using Quizlet for vocabulary practice.
- βοΈ Practice with released multiple-choice and FRQ questions from the College Board website.
- π Reach out to teachers for additional resources and guidance, even if you're not enrolled in their class.
- π Review the Course and Exam Description (CED) for detailed insights into the course structure and expectations.
- π₯ Utilize YouTube resources like Mr. Sin for visual explanations of complex concepts.
- πΌοΈ Draw models and theories to better understand and differentiate between various concepts in human geography.
- π Consistent practice and scoring on practice exams can be a reliable indicator of your potential performance on the actual exam.
Q & A
What is the speaker's experience with self-studying for AP exams?
-The speaker has successfully self-studied for both AP Psychology and AP Human Geography, achieving a score of 5 on both exams.
Why does the speaker recommend self-studying AP Human Geography?
-The speaker recommends self-studying AP Human Geography because it overlaps with other subjects in the humanities, has a simple exam format that doesn't require learning specific writing formats like SAQ, DBQ, or LEQ, and is one of the easier AP exams to self-study.
How did the speaker create a study plan for self-studying?
-The speaker created a realistic list of tasks to complete, using check marks to track progress. They started late due to the coronavirus situation, which involved a lot of cramming.
What is the importance of taking a diagnostic exam when self-studying?
-A diagnostic exam helps to gauge the student's current understanding and identify areas that need improvement. It's a starting point to get familiar with the material, and the speaker advises not to be discouraged by the initial score.
Which prep books does the speaker prefer and why?
-The speaker prefers Princeton Review for its readability and comprehensive content coverage. They also mention that Barron's and Five Steps to a Five are good options, and that it's best to use what is available.
How does the speaker utilize online resources like Quizlet and YouTube?
-The speaker uses Quizlet to practice vocabulary after completing units in the prep book. For concepts they are stuck on, they turn to YouTube, specifically the channel Mr.θΎ, which provides detailed explanations of AP Human Geography concepts.
What advice does the speaker give for accessing additional study materials?
-The speaker suggests reaching out to teachers at one's school who teach the subject, as they may be willing to share study materials and add self-studying students to their Google Classroom. They also recommend looking at the Course Exam Description (CED) on the College Board website for detailed course information.
How does the speaker practice Free Response Questions (FRQs)?
-The speaker practices by accessing previously released FRQs on the College Board website, answering them while simulating a testing environment with a timer, and then self-scoring based on the provided scoring guidelines.
What is the speaker's strategy for drawing models and theories in the prep book?
-The speaker recommends drawing out different models and theories to help visualize and absorb the information better, as human geography involves many complex models that can easily blur together.
What is the speaker's advice for test day?
-The speaker advises not to leave any questions empty, to guess on multiple-choice questions, and to write something even if unsure for FRQs, as the College Board rubric does not penalize incorrect answers.
How does the speaker evaluate their readiness for the actual exam?
-The speaker evaluates their readiness by consistently scoring a desired score (5 in their case) on practice exams, which they believe is a good reflection of what they would achieve on the final exam.
Outlines
π Self-Studying AP Human Geography
The speaker shares their experience of self-studying for the AP Human Geography exam, which they passed with a score of 5. They discuss the overlap of this subject with others like Environmental Science and Government, and the simplicity of the exam format. The speaker emphasizes the importance of evaluating one's readiness for self-study and creating a realistic study plan. They also mention their late start due to the coronavirus situation and the effectiveness of using a checklist to stay on track.
π Preparing with Diagnostic Exams and Prep Books
The speaker advises taking a diagnostic exam to gauge one's starting point and not to be discouraged by the initial score. They discuss their preference for Princeton Review prep books over Barron's due to readability, and the value of going through the content for comprehensive understanding. The speaker also suggests using Quizlet for vocabulary practice and looking up practice multiple-choice questions to reinforce learning. They recommend seeking help from teachers and using College Board's Course Exam Description (CED) for deeper insights into the course structure and expectations.
π Practicing FRQs and Simulating Test Conditions
The speaker explains the importance of practicing Free Response Questions (FRQs) using previously released questions from the College Board website. They suggest using the scoring guidelines to self-evaluate these practice responses. The speaker also emphasizes the value of drawing models and theories to better understand human geography concepts. They share their method of simulating a testing environment by timing themselves and stopping at the allocated time, regardless of completion, to practice time management and stress management during the actual exam.
π Achieving Consistency and Test Day Tips
The speaker encourages consistency in practice exam scores as an indicator of readiness for the actual exam. They provide test-taking advice, such as not leaving any questions unanswered and making educated guesses. The speaker concludes by expressing hope that the video was helpful and invites viewers to reach out with questions or for further explanations on specific concepts. They also encourage viewers to subscribe for more content.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Self-studying
π‘AP Human Geography
π‘Diagnostic Exam
π‘Study Plan
π‘Prep Books
π‘Multiple Choice Questions
π‘FRQ (Free Response Question)
π‘YouTube Resources
π‘Teachers
π‘Course Exam Description (CED)
π‘Practice Exams
Highlights
The speaker shares their experience of self-studying for AP Human Geography and achieving a score of 5.
AP Human Geography overlaps with other subjects like Environmental Science, Government, and History, making it suitable for self-study for those interested in humanities.
The simplicity of the exam format for AP Human Geography makes it easier to self-study compared to other AP subjects that require learning specific writing formats.
The importance of evaluating whether self-study is suitable for the individual before starting.
Creating a realistic study plan and using a list of checkmarks to stay on track is recommended.
Taking a diagnostic exam early on helps to understand the current level of knowledge and areas that need improvement.
The speaker prefers Princeton Review for prep books due to its readability, but other prep books like Barron's and Five Steps to a Five are also recommended.
Utilizing Quizlet and other online resources for practicing vocabulary and concepts.
Practicing with multiple-choice questions and referring to the College Board's Course Exam Description (CED) for understanding the mechanics of the class.
Seeking help from teachers, even if not enrolled in their class, for additional study materials and guidance.
The College Board's website provides released FRQs (Free Response Questions) for practice, along with scoring guidelines.
Simulating a testing environment while practicing FRQs, including time constraints, to better prepare for the actual exam.
The importance of attempting all questions on the exam, as the AP exam does not penalize for incorrect answers.
Consistently scoring a desired score on practice exams can be an accurate reflection of the expected score on the final exam.
Self-studying can be daunting, but the process is straightforward with the right methods and resources.
The speaker provides advice on how to approach FRQs and multiple-choice questions during the exam.
The video offers a comprehensive guide for self-studying AP Human Geography, including study tips and resource recommendations.
Transcripts
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