Multiple Choice Preparation

Things to Know

Test date is Friday, May 15th at 8:00 am

First portion of the exam is a 60 minute, 75 question multiple choice exam

50% of your score

A – E!

No order!

Things to Know

Question Type / SubjectPercent of Questions

Number of Questions

1. Geographic Foundations (Maps, 5 Themes…)

5-10% 4-8

2. Human Population (CBR, Pop. Pyramids…)

13-17% 10-13

3. Cultural Geography (Language, Religion…)

13-17% 10-13

4. Political Geography (Borders, Nations, States)

13-17% 10-13

5. Agricultural / Rural Geography (Neolithic…)

13-17% 10-13

6. Industry and Economics (Industrial Rev, GDP)

13-17% 10-13

7. Urban Geography (CBD, New Urbanism) 13-17% 10-13

Strategies

Eliminate Answers

Attempt to narrow your selection to two answers if you don’t know the answer

Mark the exam, if you know an answer is wrong cross it off

Don’t spend too much time on any one question (48 seconds per question)

Example

The political economy of Canada would best be described as a A. British colony

B. Dependent territory

C. Marxist-socialist state

D. Supranational state

E. Free-market parliamentary democracy

Example

The areas that have French linguistic influences are A. A and B

B. A and D

C. B and C

D. D and C

E. A and C

A

D

C

B

Example

The geographic concept of “nation” can be best described as A. A population and defined area controlled by an

organized government

B. A federal system such as the United States or Brazil

C. A population represented by a singular culture

D. A population with a singular culture and single government

E. The equivalent of a state or country

Example

Which of the following is a list of newly industrialized countries?A. Brazil, Mexico, India

B. Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania

C. Russia, Poland, Ukraine

D. United States, Great Britain, France

E. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan

Free-Response Preparation

Quick Facts

75 minutes, 3 free response prompts

50% of total grade

6-12 points per essay

Usually at least one map or graph

Usually at least one question pertaining to a theory or model

Quick Tips

No intro or conclusion. Just answer the question!Don’t leave anything blank, attempt to answer all

three promptsNo bullet points!What to Bring?

2 pencils / erasers 2 pens Water & snacks

Strategies

Organize your thoughts! Create an OutlineAllow yourself 5 minutes per prompt to organize your

thoughts and 20 minutes per prompt to write

Do not feel like you need to fill the entire booklet!

Address all parts of the prompt (if you’re asked to define then include a definition…)

Strategies

More points are available in the 2nd and 3rd portions of the prompt

First portion of the prompt is usually quick definitions

Strategies

Do the “math”At this point you should be able to adjust for

differences in terminology. For instance:“modernization” = ?“Third world nations” = ?

Strategies

Readers will not take points off for incorrect information

Avoid the “laundry list” If asked for 2 examples do not write 6 hoping you’ll

get luckyThe readers will only read the first 3ish

Strategies

The “Curve Ball”There’s a possibility that a prompt will cite

something you’ve never heard of In this case, the test creators were most likely

forcing you to generalize and prove knowledge of a region or trend, not necessarily a specific event

Example: Congolese refugees in Rwanda