AP Exam Prep · AP Human Geography

AP Human Geography FRQ Practice

Half of your AP score comes from three free-response questions. Practise with 7 original FRQs in the exam's 7-part format, one for each unit, with sources like the real exam. Write your answers, then check them against the scoring guide or get AI feedback.

One source (like question 2) · Unit 1 · 7 points

Choosing maps and data

A city's health department wants to understand where residents lack access to parks.

Each part is worth 1 point. For “explain” parts, say how or why, not just what.

Source: Park access by neighbourhood (hypothetical)

Share of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park
Neighbourhood	Median household income	Within 10-minute walk of a park
North Hill	$112,000	92%
Riverside	$74,000	68%
East Flats	$39,000	31%
Mill District	$41,000	36%

(A)Using the source, identify the neighbourhood with the lowest park access.
(B)Describe the relationship between income and park access shown in the source.
(C)Identify a type of thematic map that would best show park access for every neighbourhood in the city.
(D)Explain why the map type you identified in part C is appropriate for these data.
(E)Describe ONE way GIS could help the health department decide where to build a new park.
(F)Explain ONE limitation of using neighbourhood-level data to understand park access for individual residents.
(G)Explain how the pattern in the source illustrates the concept of environmental justice or uneven access to urban amenities.

AI scoring is a practice aid, not an official AP score. It follows our scoring guide, which is written by StudyCoach, not the College Board.

Task verbs: what each part is asking for

Most lost FRQ points come from answering a different question than the one asked. Match your answer to the verb.

Identify: Name or point out something, usually in a word or phrase. No explanation needed.
Define: Give the meaning of a term in a complete sentence.
Describe: Give the relevant characteristics of something: what it is like, not why.
Explain: Give the reasons or the process: say how or why something happens, and connect it to the scenario.
Compare: Say how two things are similar or different, naming both.

Ready for the multiple-choice section? Take the full practice exam or a unit test.

FRQ practice FAQs

How is the AP Human Geography FRQ section structured?

Section II has 3 free-response questions in 1 hour 15 minutes, worth 50% of the score. Question 1 has no source, question 2 has one source and question 3 has two sources (data, images or maps). Each question is worth 7 points, usually one point per part.

Are these past AP Human Geography FRQs?

No. These are original questions written by StudyCoach in the same format. Official past free-response questions and scoring guidelines are published by the College Board on AP Central.

How is my FRQ scored here?

You can check each part yourself against our scoring guide and sample answer for free. With a free account you can also have one FRQ a day scored by AI, part by part; Premium scores every FRQ. AI scoring is a practice aid, not an official AP score.

How do I write a high-scoring FRQ answer?

Do exactly what the task verb asks, answer in complete sentences, use the correct geographic term, and tie your answer to the scenario or source. Label each part (A, B, C…) and don't spend time restating the question.

Original StudyCoach questions and scoring guides, not College Board material. AP® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, StudyCoach.