Skip to content

Arii's AP GEO FRQ GUIDE:

FRQ 1 has no stimuli, FRQ 2 has 1 piece of stimuli, FRQ 3 has 2 pieces of stimuli. 2/3 FRQs assess students’ ability to analyze across
geographic scales to explain spatial relationship.

Each individual FRQ is worth 7 points, with points being divided across any number of lettered sections. You get 75 minutes to do three of them, with about 25 minutes per FRQ. It is worth 50% of the exam score.

Formula:

ANSWER THE QUESTION
CITE EVIDENCE
EXPLAIN YOUR EVIDENCE

Objectives:

  • Clearly restate the question, with your answer as a part of it.
  • Cite case studies, examples, or other pieces of evidence, all while using Geo-specific terms.
  • Explain your evidence and how it applies to the question and your answer, all while using Geo-specific terms.

Tips:

  • ATFP! Answer The ... Prompt! Give a clear and decisive answer! Always!
  • Don't worry about spelling, grammar, or language, if it's legible and you have the content, you're fine.
  • Pay attention to the task verbs! Define or state? A few sentences is fine. Discuss? Talk EXTENSIVELY!
  • Count out how many points are in your FRQ sections. Do you have 5 letters, but two of them ask for descriptions AND examples? Those letters are each worth 2 points!
  • The first two questions tend to be easy, likely just interpreting stimuli. Answer them in full sentences, but you likely don't need to use the ACE formula.
  • Pack in vocabulary you've learned, both as you explain your evidence, and as you answer the question.