AP Psychology Exam Complete Guide
Are you a high school student preparing for the AP psychology exam? If so, you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. This challenging test assesses your understanding of the fascinating world of human behavior. To score well on this exam, you will also require a solid understanding of complex concepts and research methods. But with so much material to cover, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed.
This blog is here to help! We’ll break down everything you need to know about the AP Psychology Exam, from its format and key concepts to study strategies and helpful resources to help you get over your test anxiety.
Overview of the AP Psychology Exam
The AP psychology exam is a standardized test designed to assess a high school student’s knowledge of introductory psychology. It’s offered by the College Board and typically taken after completing an AP psychology course, which itself is a college-level class. Earning a high enough score on the exam can potentially grant you college credit for an introductory psychology course.
The two-hour exam covers a wide range of psychology topics, including everything from research methods and the biological underpinnings of behavior to social psychology and mental health. It’s divided into two sections: a multiple-choice section and a free-response section. The multiple-choice section tests your knowledge of key concepts, while the free-response section asks you to apply your understanding to analyze research studies and explain real-world behaviors using psychological principles.
What is the Duration of the AP Psychology Exam?
The AP psychology exam is conducted for two hours. This total testing time is divided into two sections: a multiple-choice section and a free-response section. You’ll be given one hour and ten minutes to answer the 100 multiple-choice questions in the first section. This part of the exam makes up two-thirds of your total score.
The remaining fifty minutes are dedicated to the free-response section, where you will answer two in-depth questions that require written explanations and analysis. This section contributes the other one-third of your final exam grade. So, effectively, you’ll have dedicated time slots to show your knowledge through both objective testing and your ability to apply concepts in a written format.
When is the AP Psychology Exam in 2024?
According to the College Board, the AP psychology exam in 2024 will be on Thursday, May 9th, at 12 p.m. local time. Be sure to double-check the date and time with your coordinator or the College Board website in case of any changes.
If you miss this date or have a scheduling conflict, there is a late testing window later in May. The College Board doesn’t publish specific dates for late testing, but it typically falls in the second half of the month. Your AP coordinator would have been able to provide you with the exact date for late testing at your school.
What is the AP Psychology Exam Format?
The AP psychology exam is a two-hour exam that consists of two sections: a multiple-choice section and a free-response section.
- Multiple Choice (70 minutes, 66.7% of the exam score): This section consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. The questions will cover all of the content that is covered in the AP Psychology course. You will be asked to define and explain concepts, apply your knowledge of psychology to real-world situations, and analyze data from psychological research studies.
- Free Response (50 minutes, 33.3% of the exam score): This section consists of two free-response questions. The first question will ask you to apply your knowledge of psychology to a real-world situation. The second question will ask you to analyze data from a psychological research study, including interpreting data and concluding the findings. These questions aim to assess your ability to apply psychological theories and perspectives to explain behaviors.
What’s Tested on the AP Psychology Exam?
The AP psychology exam is designed to assess your understanding of the major concepts covered in a typical introductory psychology course. Here’s a breakdown of what’s tested on the exam:
- Research methods (10–15%): This section covers the scientific foundation of psychology, including research methods, ethics, and statistics. You’ll need to know how psychologists design and conduct experiments, as well as how to interpret data.
- Biological bases of behavior (10–15%): This section covers the biological factors that influence behavior, including the nervous system, hormones, and genetics. You’ll need to know about the structure and function of the brain, how the nervous system transmits information, and how hormones affect behavior.
- Sensation and perception (10–15%): This section covers how we take in and interpret information from the world around us. You’ll need to know about the different senses, how they work, and how our brains process sensory information.
- Learning (10–15%): This section covers how we learn and change our behavior. You’ll need to know about the different types of learning, such as classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning.
- Cognition (10–15%): This section covers mental processes such as thinking, memory, language, and problem-solving. You’ll need to know about the different types of memory, how we use language, and how we solve problems.
- Motivation and emotion (10–15%): This section covers the factors that motivate us and how we experience emotions. You’ll need to know about the different theories of motivation, the different types of emotions, and how emotions influence behavior.
- Development (10–15%): This section covers how we develop from birth to adulthood. You’ll need to know about the different stages of development, such as physical development, cognitive development, and social development.
- Clinical psychology (10–15%): This section covers mental disorders and how they are treated. You’ll need to know about the different types of mental disorders, the causes of mental disorders, and the different types of treatment.
- Social psychology (10–15%): This section covers how we think, feel, and behave in social situations. You’ll need to know about the different theories of social psychology, such as social cognition, social influence, and social perception.
How is the AP Psychology Exam Scored?
The AP psychology exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. There are two sections to the exam: multiple-choice and free response. The multiple-choice section, worth two-thirds of your total score, has 100 questions where you earn one point for each correct answer. There’s no penalty for guessing, so it’s in your best interest to fill in every bubble. The free-response section, making up the remaining third of your score, consists of two essay questions. These questions are graded based on how well you apply psychological concepts and research to analyze a given scenario. This table, sourced from the College Board, shows how students scored on the May 2020 test:
| Score | Meaning | Percentage of Test Takers |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Extremely qualified | 22.40% |
| 4 | Well qualified | 25.40% |
| 3 | Qualified | 23.50% |
| 2 | Possibly qualified | 9.60% |
| 1 | No recommendation | 19.10% |
What’s a Good AP Psychology Score?
A good AP psychology score depends on your college goals. Generally, a 4 or 5 is considered strong and can potentially earn you college credit or advanced placement in psychology courses at prestigious schools.
However, many colleges accept scores of 3 or higher, so it’s important to check the specific requirements of the schools you’re interested in. The average score is around 2.9, so scoring a 3 indicates you’ve performed well compared to most test-takers.
Past AP Psychology Exam Questions
This table provides sample AP Psychology exam questions from 2023. To access the full range of past exams and other resources, visit the College Board’s official website.
When Should You Take the AP Psychology Exam?
AP psychology is typically offered during the junior or senior year at most high schools. It can be a student’s first AP class, but some schools may allow advanced students in 9th or 10th grade to enroll. Before deciding, it’s important to consult with your school counselor to see what the best fit is for your academic journey.
Some students might choose to take AP psychology as their first AP class to focus solely on getting acclimated to the AP rigor. Others, especially those with prior AP experience or strong academic performance, may find success taking AP psychology alongside other AP courses.
5 Tips to Prepare for the AP Psychology Exam
1. Master the psychological perspectives
There are many different psychological perspectives, each with its own approach to understanding the mind and behavior. A core part of the AP psychology exam is being able to identify the perspective behind a question and apply its concepts. You should familiarize yourself with the major perspectives like behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive, evolutionary, and social psychology.
2. Practice with practice tests
You should familiarize yourself with the format of the AP psychology exam and the types of questions that will be asked. The best way to do this is to take practice tests under timed conditions. This will help you get used to the pressure of the exam and identify any areas where you need more review. You can find practice tests in your AP psychology textbook, online, or from your teacher.
3. Active recall is key
Don’t just passively reread your notes. Active recall techniques, like self-quizzing and flashcards, are much more effective for long-term retention. Try to create flashcards or quizzes that cover the key concepts from each unit. Then, test yourself regularly and focus on the areas where you are struggling.
4. Form a study group
Try to find a group of classmates who are also taking AP psychology and form a study group. Studying with others can help you stay motivated, learn from each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and explain concepts to one another in a way that solidifies your understanding.
5. Make connections
Look for ways to connect the psychological concepts you are learning to your own life and experiences. This will help you better understand and remember the material. Try to think of examples from your own life that illustrate the concepts you are learning about.
From the Desk of Yocket
The AP psychology exam exposes you to the world of psychology and allows you to potentially earn college credit. The course itself provides a solid foundation in psychological theories, research methods, and core concepts that govern human thought and behavior. For those of you considering a career path in psychology, social work, or education, a strong performance on the AP exam can show your preparedness for college-level coursework. It can also lighten your course load in college by granting you introductory psychology credit.
However, the exam itself can be challenging. It requires a good grasp of extensive terminology and the ability to apply that knowledge to analyze scenarios and research studies. Additionally, the free-response section demands strong analytical and writing skills. To succeed, you must be one of those who are genuinely interested in psychology and willing to put in the effort to understand the complexities of the subject.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the format of the AP psychology exam?
The AP psychology exam is split into two sections: a 100-question multiple-choice section (66.7% of your score) and a 2-question free-response section (33.3% of your score). The multiple-choice section tests your knowledge of key concepts, while the free-response section requires you to apply your understanding to analyze research studies and real-world scenarios.
What kind of scoring does the AP psychology exam use?
There is no penalty for guessing in the multiple-choice section, so it’s best to answer every question. You earn one point for each correct answer in the multiple-choice section. The free-response questions are graded based on a rubric that assesses your ability to explain concepts, analyze data, and apply psychological theories.
When is the AP psychology exam held?
The AP psychology exam is usually held in early May. However, do make sure to double-check the date with your school or the College Board website, as it can vary slightly from year to year.
What is a good score on the AP psychology exam?
A score of 3 or higher can potentially earn you college credit, depending on your school’s AP credit policy. However, aiming for a 4 or 5 shows a strong understanding of psychology and can be especially valuable for students considering psychology-related majors.