Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology Exam Overview

About the AP Psychology Exam

• AP Psychology, also known as AP® Psychology, is a college-level course and examination designed for high school students.
• Integrated with the College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) Program, AP® Psychology allows students to earn college credit and advanced placement in higher-level psychology courses upon entering college.
• The course and exam focus on understanding the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes.

Exam Structure

• The AP® Psychology Exam has two separate sections: multiple-choice and free-response.
• Multiple-choice Section: 70 minutes
  • 100 multiple-choice questions.
• Free-Response Section: 50 minutes
  • Includes 2 essay questions.
• Exam scores range from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest).
• A score of 3 or higher is considered passing and may lead to earning college credit.

Course Content

• AP® Psychology covers a broad range of topics within psychology, including:
  • Research Methods
  • Biological Bases of Behavior
  • Sensation and Perception
  • Learning and Conditioning
  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Motivation and Emotion
  • Child and Adolescent Development
  • Personality Theory
  • Social Psychology
  • Abnormal Psychology

Enrolling in AP® Psychology

• AP® Psychology is offered at high schools participating in the Advanced Placement Program.
• Students interested in taking AP® Psychology should check with their school counselor or AP® Coordinator to determine course availability and requirements.

Preparing for the AP® Psychology Exam

• Take the AP® Psychology Course:
  • Enrolling in the AP® Psychology course is highly recommended for adequate preparation.
  • The course covers the exam content and provides a solid foundation for success.
• Utilize AP® Psychology Review Materials:
  • Various resources are available, such as textbooks, study guides, online resources, and practice exams.
• Create a Study Schedule:
  • Develop a study schedule allowing sufficient time to review material and practice answering exam-style questions.
• Employ Study Techniques:
  • Use flashcards, practice tests, and mnemonic devices to help you retain information effectively.
• Take Practice Exams:
  • Complete full-length practice exams under timed conditions to simulate the actual exam experience.

Additional Resources

• College Board AP® Psychology Exam Information:
  • https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-psychology
• Khan Academy AP® Psychology Course:
  • https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/ap-psychology
• AP® Classroom:
  • https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-psychology