Sample Questions
Samples of released geography questions from the 2018 assessment, including how students performed on them, are presented below. Each example contains a brief description of the question, the format type (selected response or constructed response), and the geographic content area (Space and Place, Environment and Society, and Spatial Dynamics and Connections) that the question measures. The percentage of students who answered a selected-response question correctly or who received full credit for their answer to a constructed-response question is also displayed.
Experience the geography digitally based assessment as students did and try sample test questions administered in 2018.
Try geography questionsA complete list of released questions from the geography assessments is available in the NAEP Questions Tool.
To view these questions in eNAEP, you will need to use Chrome (48 or higher). The questions are best viewed at a zoom of 67 percent. Please note that these questions may take a few minutes to load.
One way to understand the NAEP geography scale is by seeing the types of questions that students performing at different points on the scale are likely to answer correctly. See the geography item map with examples of questions that reflect the geography skills demonstrated by students performing at different points on the geography scale within the score range for each achievement level.
The geography assessment measures students' geography knowledge and skills that are important for students to be competent and knowledgeable 21st century citizens. As specified in the NAEP geography framework, assessment questions address what students know and can do in three geography content areas: Space and Place, Environment and Society, and Spatial Dynamics and Connections. Its purpose is to provide a measure of students’ knowledge, understanding, and application of geography’s content and perspectives. Learn more about the NAEP geography assessment.