Contents
- 1 What Is Population Distribution in AP® Human Geography?
- 2 How Does Density Affect Population Distribution?
- 3 How to Prepare for the AP® Human Geography Exam on Population Distribution?
- 4 What Human Factors Influence Population Distribution and Density?
- 5 How Is Population Distribution Expected to Change in 2025?
More than 400,000 students took part in the AP exams in 2024, according to Total Registration data.
AP Human Geography is an advanced class in human geography with a stronger knowledge assessment. AP Human Geography has a difficult exam to pass because 30% of students in 2024 got a non-passing score of 1. We will go over some problematic topics included in the subject to help students achieve the best score on the exam.
What Is Population Distribution in AP® Human Geography?
Let’s figure out what population distribution looks like in this AP subject.
How Is Population Distribution Defined in Human Geography?
This term shows how the population is distributed across some areas. The population is dense if many people live close together. The population is sparse if many people live far apart.
What Factors Influence Population Distribution?
Many factors influence whether people choose to live in a certain place. Here are three examples of strong influences:
- Bad weather and an unsuitable climate often cause people to relocate
- Infertile land drives away those who rely on farming for their livelihood
- The development of a city and the availability of jobs and entertainment options are important for many people
Examples of Population Distribution Patterns
We will look at three examples of population distribution patterns students can use on the exam:
- People living close together in one area with enough resources and opportunities are called clustered distribution
- People settling in a straight line to have access to specific resources, like water, are called linear distribution
- People living without a clear pattern, which often happens in newly developed areas, are called random distribution
How Does Density Affect Population Distribution?
Density is related to population distribution, and here’s what students need to know.
Understanding Population Density in Human Geography
Understanding population density is important for achieving high scores on the exam. We can talk about high density in a territory if people live close to each other. We talk about low density in a territory if people live at a significant distance from one another.
The Relationship Between Distribution and Density
Both of these concepts help people understand what to do with a specific area. Population helps determine whether people live in a certain area. Density shows how densely populated the area is. Areas with low density may be suitable for building cities to increase the number of residents or for resource extraction. Understanding these terms helps determine the best way to use the land.
Impact of Density on Resource Allocation
People can understand what resources a place needs by evaluating density. Areas with high density require more infrastructure to guarantee people feel comfortable in their homes, can reach necessary locations easily, and have no problems with food and water. Areas with low density may need hospitals to be built and access to them ensured. Different population levels in an area will require different resource provisions.
How to Prepare for the AP® Human Geography Exam on Population Distribution?
“I think that all kids are capable of hitting that level of AP work”
Here are some tips on how students can prepare to get a good score on the exam.
AP® Review Guides for Population Distribution Topics
Preparation can lead to high exam scores if students review subject guides covering the most problematic topics. These guides help kids understand what to focus on, what questions might be asked, and other key factors to consider for achieving a good score. Contact Legacy Online School to access detailed guides for the subject, updated for the current year.
Using AP® Score Calculators to Track Progress
Preparing for an exam takes time and effort. Many students do not know if their knowledge is enough for the upcoming exam. An AP calculator can help kids by giving an estimated score based on their current knowledge. It also helps them see which topics and questions need more attention to achieve better results.
We will show how students can use this type of calculator with the Legacy Online School AP calculator. This calculator is free for all students and designed to be easy to use.
When students go to the calculator page, they will see all exam sections where they can enter the number of correct answers for each part. Students can adjust the slider in each section or enter values manually.
Once students enter their answers, the calculator will automatically calculate their AP score and display the result. Our calculator is updated based on the latest College Board changes, so the score shown will be as close as possible to the official result given after the real exam.
Students can also select the score curve, which allows them to see how different scoring scales may affect their final result. The score curve is based on past AP exams and helps students understand the difficulty level of different test years.
The table below shows an example of how to enter data into our calculator:
| Field | Instruction | Example |
| Score Curve | You can choose the year you need | 2024 |
| Section I: Multiple-Choice | You enter the number of raw points you earned for correct answers from 0 to 60 | 55 |
| Section II: Free Response | You enter the number of raw points you earned for each question from 0 to 7 (for each subsections) | 5 |
Check the data carefully when using the calculator because a mistake in the number of correct answers will lead to an incorrect AP score calculation.
If you are not happy with your current estimated AP score, look at the sections where you had incorrect answers. Working on these topics and questions will help you increase the number of correct answers and improve your AP score.
Legacy Online School’s teachers are happy to help you analyze the results shown by our calculator. They can also provide lessons to help you prepare better for the AP exam and get a high AP score.
Popular Posts and Resources to Get Started
Legacy Online School has been helping students to achieve their best results on this exam for years. Our school provides a lot of AP classes and study resources in different formats. These formats make them ideal for every student. Teachers in our school give books and other materials based on the latest updates from the College Board, so students use the right resources. Students can also review official College Board resources and guides to better understand what to expect on the exam this year.
What Human Factors Influence Population Distribution and Density?
Population distribution and density are influenced by different human factors. We will explain three groups of factors important to understand for the exam.
The Role of Economic Activities in Distribution
The economy and city development directly impact how many people will live there. People always look for the best opportunities and prefer to live in developed cities rather than villages because cities provide income and better living conditions.
Impact of Cultural Factors on Geographic Distribution
Cultural factors are important to many people. Some people prefer to live not in the noise of a big city but in a smaller city aligning with their cultural or religious beliefs. This leads to the formation of communities including a big number of residents.
Human Migration Patterns and Their Effect on Density
Different events can lead to migration and changes in patterns. A territory may be densely populated, but this can change due to war, poor living conditions, or other reasons. More positive reasons include the construction of a new city, leading to increased density in the area.
How Is Population Distribution Expected to Change in 2025?
Let’s take a look at what changes to expect in 2025.
Trends and Predictions for Future Distribution
Changes will continue due to urbanization. Small, abandoned settlements or areas with low populations will decrease because many people seek a better life. These individuals move to large cities where they can find good jobs, increasing the urban population.
Influence of Technological Advancements on Population Density
Technology is advancing every year. Technology has given people the ability to work remotely, influencing their decisions on where to live. Many people choose quieter areas over big cities. Such shifts will impact population distribution in urban areas and smaller settlements.
Environmental Factors and Their Role in Shaping Future Distribution
Weather, climate, and different disruptions push many people to relocate. Some people find it critical how hot their area becomes, as such conditions increase smog and other undesirable factors. People move to new places. The government and those citizens who stay work to mitigate the problems caused by environmental factors.
