Aim for FiveEnvironmental Science

Free-response practice

Environmental Science free-response questions

Free-response questions (FRQs) are the part of the AP® Environmental Science exam where you write your own answers. Here they're grouped the way the exam uses them. Write your answer, then score it yourself with the rubric and a model answer, or sign in for free AI scoring.

15 questions · 3 types

Design an investigation

You read about a real-world environmental situation with a described figure or model, then pick out the parts of a scientific investigation (hypothesis, variables, controls), explain the science behind it, and propose solutions to the problems it raises.

On the exam: Question 1 of 3 in the 70-minute free-response section (Section II is 40% of the exam score). Plan on about 23 minutes for one.

Analyze and interpret quantitative data

You read values and trends from a data table or described graph, explain what the data show about an environmental problem, and propose and justify a solution.

On the exam: Question 2 of 3 in the 70-minute free-response section (Section II is 40% of the exam score). Plan on about 23 minutes for one.

Analyze an environmental problem doing calculations

You work through an environmental scenario using numbers: set up and solve calculations (showing your work), then explain the science and propose solutions. Several of the 10 points come from the calculations, usually one for the setup and one for the answer.

On the exam: Question 3 of 3 in the 70-minute free-response section (Section II is 40% of the exam score). Plan on about 24 minutes for one.