AP Human Geography Score Calculator
Estimate your 2024 AP Exam score based on MCQ and FRQ performance.
Understanding Your AP Human Geography Score
The AP Human Geography (AP HuG) exam is divided into two sections, each accounting for 50% of your total score. Understanding how these raw scores translate into the final 1-5 AP scale is crucial for setting study goals. This calculator uses the standard College Board weighting to estimate your performance.
Exam Structure & Weighting
The exam consists of a Multiple Choice section and a Free Response section. The total composite score is typically calculated out of 120 points.
- Section I: Multiple Choice (MCQ)
- 60 Questions
- 60 Minutes
- Worth 50% of total score
- Multiplier: 1.0 (Each question is worth 1 point towards the composite)
- Section II: Free Response (FRQ)
- 3 Questions (7 points each = 21 raw points total)
- 75 Minutes
- Worth 50% of total score
- Multiplier: ~2.857 (To scale 21 raw points up to 60 composite points)
How is the Composite Score Calculated?
Your composite score is the sum of your weighted MCQ score and your weighted FRQ score. The math looks like this:
Composite Score = (MCQ Raw Score × 1) + (Total FRQ Raw Score × 2.857)
Note: The multiplier 2.857 is derived from dividing the 60 MCQ points by the 21 total FRQ points, ensuring both sections have equal weight.
AP Human Geography Score Cutoffs (Estimated)
The College Board adjusts the curve slightly every year based on exam difficulty. However, historical data suggests the following approximate cutoffs for the 120-point scale:
| AP Score | Est. Composite Range (0-120) | Performance Level |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 78 – 120 | Extremely Well Qualified |
| 4 | 65 – 77 | Well Qualified |
| 3 | 51 – 64 | Qualified |
| 2 | 38 – 50 | Possibly Qualified |
| 1 | 0 – 37 | No Recommendation |
Strategies for a 5
To secure a 5 in AP Human Geography, you don't need a perfect score. You generally need to earn about 65% of the total available points.
- Target MCQs: Aim for at least 45/60 correct. This gives you a solid base of 45 composite points.
- FRQ Consistency: You don't need 7/7 on every FRQ. Averaging 4 or 5 points per FRQ (12-15 raw points total) combined with a strong MCQ performance is often enough for a 5.
- Vocabulary is Key: AP HuG is vocabulary-heavy. Mastering terms like "Possibilism," "Distance Decay," and "Demographic Transition Model" is essential for both identifying MCQ answers and writing precise FRQ responses.