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Ultimate Guide to the AP Psychology Exam

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The AP Psychology exam is one of the most popular APs among traditional students and self-studiers alike. Although many students enroll in the class, this particular exam is also well-suited to self-studying due to its heavy emphasis on vocabulary and highly specific theory. If you are interested in taking the AP Psychology exam, whether you have taken the class or have self-studied, read on for a breakdown of the test and CollegeVine’s advice for how to best prepare it.

When is the AP Psychology Exam?

On Tuesday, May 12, at 12 pm, the College Board will hold the 2020 AP Psychology Exam. For a comprehensive listing of all the AP exam times, check out our post, 2020 AP Exam Schedule: Everything You Need to Know .    

About the AP Psychology Exam

The AP Psychology course explores concepts, theories, and behaviors associated with the field and research areas of psychology. Successful students will become familiar with the history of the field, past and current research methods, and the biological and emotional bases for behavior. Because psychology is a rapidly-changing field, students should ensure that they prepare for the test with the most current materials available. 

The AP Psychology exam tests your mastery of both skills and concepts. During the course, you will develop three skills critical for passing the exam. Those skills and the weight they’re given on the AP Psychology exam are: 

The concepts tested on the AP Psychology exam are broken into nine units, focusing on the core principles, theories, and processes of the discipline. Below is a suggested structure of the nine units from the College Board along with the weight each unit is given on the AP Psychology exam: 

AP Psychology Exam Content

The AP Psychology exam is one of the shortest AP exams, clocking in at just two hours, and comprises two sections. The first section features multiple-choice questions and the second section is made up of free response questions. 

Section 1: Multiple Choice 

1 hour 10 minutes | 100 questions | 66.7% of score

Section one takes one hour and 10 minutes, contains 100 multiple-choice questions, and accounts for 66.7% of your total score. You’ll encounter two distinct types of multiple-choice questions: you’ll either be asked to define and explain content from the course topics or apply skills of concept understanding, data analysis, and scientific investigation. 

Example of a multiple-choice question asking you to define a course topic:

The answer to the multiple-choice questions above is B.

Example of a multiple-choice question asking you to apply a course concept: 

Section 2: Free Response

50 minutes | 2 questions | 33.3% of score

The second section takes 50 minutes, contains two free response questions, and accounts for 33.3% of your score. The first of the free response questions tests your grasp of the first course skill, concept understanding, and tasks you with explaining behavior and applying theories and perspectives to real-world situations. The second of the free response questions requires you to demonstrate possession of all three course skills with an emphasis on scientific investigation. On the second free response question, you’ll analyze research studies—including reviewing and interpreting quantitative data. 

Example of a concept understanding free response question: 

Example of a scientific investigation multiple-choice free response question: 

AP Psychology Score Distribution, Average Score, and Passing Rate

In 2019, 64.5% of students who took the AP Psychology exam received a score of 3 or higher. 20.5% of students received the top score of 5, while 22% scored a 1 on the exam. 

Keep in mind that credit and advanced standing based on AP scores varies widely from college to college. While a 3 is generally considered passing, you may need a 4 or 5 to receive credit. Some schools don’t grant credit at all, and only use AP exams for placement. You can find regulations regarding which AP exams qualify for course credits or advanced placement at specific colleges on the College Board’s website . 

A full course description that can help to guide your studying can be found in the College Board AP Psych course description .  If you’re curious about other score distributions, see our post Easiest and Hardest AP Exams .

Best Ways to Study for the AP Psychology Exam

Step 1: assess your skills.

Take a practice test to assess your initial knowledge of the material. Although the College Board’s AP Psychology website provides a number of sample test questions, it does not provide a complete sample test. There are, however, four complete practice tests with scoring guides provided on the College Board AP Psychology teacher website—from 1994 , 1999 , 2012 , and 2016 . You can also find a practice test in many of the commercial study guides, and some even include a diagnostic test to act as your initial assessment.

Once you have taken some kind of formative assessment, score it to identify the areas you already understand and those in need of improvement. It can be helpful to have a teacher or friend score your free response essays, as these are more subjective than the multiple-choice section. From an accurate practice test, you will get a better idea of where to focus your studying efforts.

Step 2: Study the Theory

In order to ace the AP Psychology exam, you will need to master the basic history of psychology along with the fundamental theories and approaches covered in the nine course units. 

You will likely need some study resources to help you as you tackle this content. The Myers’ Psychology For AP textbook is said to be the most comprehensive guide, as it is designed specifically for the AP class. Some criticize it for having too much information and for being particularly expensive, but it does cover all of the theory necessary to study for the exam in-depth. For information that is presented more concisely, you might consider Barron’s AP Psychology 8th Edition study guide. There are also accompanying Barron’s AP Psychology flashcards available.

In addition, there are tons of study resources available online, including many from AP teachers who have posted comprehensive outlines and study guides. There is also a great 40-episode YouTube series focused on the AP Psychology Exam. 

Additionally, a convenient way to study is to use one of the recently-developed apps for AP exams. Make sure you read reviews before choosing one, as their quality varies widely. The Brainscape AP Psych app and Varsity Tutors app are free, and both have positive reviews.

Step 3: Practice Multiple-Choice Questions

Once you have your theory down, test it out by practicing multiple-choice questions. You can find these in most study guides or through online searches. You could also try taking the multiple-choice section of a practice exam. Many sample questions with answers and explanations can be found in the official course description . Varsity Tutors offer numerous free AP Psychology diagnostic tests which contain an abundance of multiple-choice questions to practice with. Study.com also provides a free 50-question practice test . Try to keep track of which concepts and vocabulary are still tripping you up, and go back over this material.

Step 4: Practice Free Response Questions

On the AP Psychology exam’s free response section, you should be prepared to make practical use of your theory. Familiarize yourself with how to apply the most common principles from the field, and know how to effectively design or evaluate a research study.

To effectively master the free response section of your AP Psychology exam, you should have a good understanding of what task verbs you will commonly encounter, and precisely what each is asking you to do. The College Board provides the following definitions for the most commonly encountered directives on this exam:

• Identify requires that students name or point out psychological concepts as they pertain to the question.
• Show or describe require students to detail the essential characteristics or examples of a particular concept, theory, or phenomenon.
• Explain , discuss , and relate require that students make logical and coherent connections among the prompt (or premise), question, and psychological concepts.

Before you begin writing, make a brief, strong outline. It will not count toward your score, but it will help to organize your thoughts. Try to include specific examples from your studying and make sure to clearly introduce them in your writing. Common ways to successfully highlight specific examples include “For example,” or “One example of this is…”

The best way to prepare for the free response prompts is to practice them and study the scoring examples provided by the College Board. The College Board has the free response questions used on the AP Psychology exam dating back to 1999 posted on their website. These authentic student responses with real scoring explanations should give you a good idea of how the free response questions are scored, and where points are commonly lost.  

Step 5: Take Another Practice Test

As you did at the very beginning of your studying, take a practice test to evaluate your progress. You should see a steady progression of knowledge you’ve accumulated, and it’s likely that you will see patterns identifying which areas have improved the most and which areas still need improvement. If you have time, repeat each of the steps above to incrementally increase your score.

Step 6: Exam Day Specifics

If you’re taking the AP course associated with this exam, your teacher will walk you through how to register. If you’re self-studying, check out our blog post How to Self-Register for AP Exams .

For information about what to bring to the exam, see our post What Should I Bring to My AP Exam (And What Should I Definitely Leave at Home)?

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For more guidance about the AP exams, check out these other informative articles: 

2020 AP Exam Schedule

How Long is Each AP Exam?

Easiest and Hardest AP Exams

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the ultimate ap psychology review guide: 5-step prep plan.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Preparing for the AP Psychology exam shouldn't make you lose your sanity (as it were). Some of the material is challenging, but overall it's not that scary compared to other AP tests. As long as you stay focused during your prep and are familiar with the format of the test, you'll have a good chance of acing it!

In this article, we'll go over the structure and content of the AP Psychology exam and explain how you can make the best use of your AP Psychology review time to end up with a great score.

What's the Format of the AP Psychology Exam?

The AP Psychology exam is one of the shorter AP tests, clocking in at just two hours in total . You'll have 70 minutes to complete 100 multiple-choice questions and 50 minutes to answer two free-response questions. Overall, I'd say that AP Psych is one of the easier AP tests based on its shorter length and the complexity of its content.

Here's an overview of the format of the AP Psych exam, which changed slightly in the 2019-20 testing year :

Since you only have 70 minutes for 100 multiple-choice questions, you'll need to make sure you're keeping track of time. It's important that you move relatively quickly because you'll have less than a minute for each question!

Try not to spend more than 30 seconds on a single multiple-choice question; you can always come back to that question later. There is no guessing penalty on multiple choice (as for all AP exams now), so incorrect answers won't hurt your score. In short, always put down something!

The free-response questions shouldn't give you much trouble in terms of time. There are only two of them (much fewer than most other AP tests), and they're usually very straightforward. In many cases, they will just ask you to explain how terms you've learned in AP Psychology relate to a specific situation.

You'll also need some knowledge of the scientific method for certain free-response questions that ask about the methodology of a psychological study. In the next section, we'll take a look at actual examples of AP Psychology multiple-choice and free-response questions.

What's on the AP Psychology Exam?

The 2020 AP Psychology Course and Exam Description gives a breakdown of the different units covered in the AP Psych course and what percentage of questions they make up on the test. Here are the topics you'll see on the exam:

This chart could inform how much of your AP Psychology review time you spend studying each big topic, but it's probably more important to pay attention to where you struggle the most on an individual level .

For example, if you know all there is to know about Cognitive Psychology but don't remember that much about Sensation and Perception, you should spend more time reviewing the latter topic , even though it relates to fewer questions.

Next, we'll look at official sample AP Psychology questions.

Multiple-Choice Question Example

Here's an example of a multiple choice question you might see on the test, taken from the 2014-15 Course Description :

This question is kind of wordy, and it might seem as though you need to know a lot to figure it out, but you could in fact still come up with the correct answer without having much psychology knowledge at all (though it's less confusing with some background information).

Here, we're told that the baby monkeys preferred the soft cloth surrogate mother over the wire surrogate with food, indicating that the comfort of the cloth was more important to them than the food when they were scared. The answer, therefore, is B.

Most multiple-choice AP Psychology questions will involve either simple logic, like this one, or basic memorization of the content in the course.

Free-Response Question Example

Here's an example of a free-response question from the 2019-20 Course and Exam Description :

Here, it's easy to see how the points for this second free-response question are earned. The seven bullet points/lines correspond to the 7 possible points you can earn . This question is dependent on a comprehensive knowledge of specific terms and concepts from the AP Psych curriculum. You can see how to earn full points for this question in the official scoring guidelines .

4 Preliminary AP Psychology Study Tips

Here are some tips to keep in mind before you start your AP Psychology exam review. They'll help you stay on track and make the most of your prep time.

#1: Plan Out Your Time

How much time do you have before the AP Psych exam? You'll need to take this into account when formulating your study plan. Think about how much time you can afford to spend studying for AP Psychology while considering the amount of other schoolwork you have.

For example, if you think you'll have about 10 hours to study , your plan might look something like this:

• Take and score a practice test (2.5 hours)
• Go over your mistakes (1 hour)
• Review weak content areas and update your test-taking strategies (2 hours)
• Take and score another practice test (2.5 hours)
• Final review (2 hours)

If you have more time before the exam, you might be able to go more in depth with your mistakes on the second practice test and even take a third or fourth test.

Overall, your time should be split relatively evenly between taking practice tests and reviewing the material. Your plan could change depending on your initial scores and how much you're looking to improve.

I'd say that you don't need to spend more than 20 hours in total studying for AP Psychology. The amount of material isn't overwhelming, and it's not an especially difficult test, so this should be plenty of time. (I'll get more specific on how to use practice tests effectively in the next section.)

#2: Choose Review Materials Wisely

You'll need reliable review materials to ensure you're getting the most out of your study sessions.

I recommend buying a review book ( 5 Steps to a 5 and Cracking the AP Psychology Exam are the ones I like best). Review books cover just the information you'll need to know for the test, so they are going to be less overwhelming to study than your textbook or notes from class will be.

That said, don't totally ignore the resources you've accumulated in your AP Psychology class . Your notes might include unique methods for remembering concepts and terms, which can be useful as an alternative to the information in a review book. Your textbook could be useful as well because it might have diagrams that are better than the ones in review books.

Overall, I think it's nice to have an AP review book as a backup so that you stay focused on your studying and don't spend time on topics that are less relevant to the exam.

#3: Focus on Memorizing Terms

The AP Psychology exam is centered around psychological terms and theories. Some of these can be confusing and hard to tell apart (or not what they sound like intuitively). As a result, it's really important to have a solid grasp on all the terms you learned in the course , for both multiple-choice and free-response questions.

Free-response questions will often ask you to explain the relation of an obscure psychology term to a hypothetical scenario, and it's impossible to earn points if you aren't completely confident in your understanding of the meaning of the term.

Flashcards are helpful for this type of memorization. If you have time, you can make flashcards for all the important terms in the class or even just a few terms that always trip you up. These can be physical flashcards or (if that's too old-fashioned) digital flashcards, such as those found on Quizlet (in which case you wouldn't even need to make your own, as there are already loads of user-created study sets available!).

Personally, I find that writing down the definitions of terms will help drill their meanings into your brain more effectively, so I prefer to make my own cards, but you can do whatever works best for your schedule and learning style.

#4: Go Over Testing Strategies

Before you take a practice test, you should be aware of the testing pitfalls that might impact your score. Don't sacrifice points on practice tests (or the real test!) due to factors unrelated to your knowledge of the material. Here are some strategies for different types of test questions.

Multiple-Choice Questions

As I mentioned earlier, the AP Psych exam doesn't give you a ton of time for each multiple-choice question. If you have the tendency to get stuck on difficult questions, you'll need to keep this in mind during the test.

Try to avoid spending more than 30 seconds on each question (40 max), and don't worry too much about temporarily skipping a few. You should still eventually go back to them and put something down, though, as there's no penalty for incorrect answers. It's perfectly OK to randomly guess on a question you don't know the answer to if you're running out of time.

Also note that it's possible to get a 5 on the AP Psychology test, even if you get wrong around 20 to 30 multiple-choice questions.

Finally, don't let yourself overthink multiple-choice questions . The questions can sound and look complex, but most of the time they're not overly difficult if you know the material. U nderline the parts of the question that are most important so that you don't get distracted or start to second-guess yourself. If one of the answers seems as if it doesn't make sense, eliminate it.

Free-Response Questions

On free-response questions, remember that this isn't an English test! There's no need to write an introduction and conclusion—just go straight for the answer to the question. That being said, you should still write in complete sentences with correct grammar. Make it as easy as possible for the graders to find your answers and give you points. Underline verbs like "describe" or "define" in the question to keep yourself focused on the task at hand.

With some free-response questions, it can be easier to work backwards by putting yourself in the position of one of the people in the hypothetical scenario . For example, with the sample question above, you might say to yourself, "If I were involved in a study that required me to punch a punching bag after being told my essay was horrible, how might I react? Why?"

Your 5-Step AP Psychology Review Plan in Action

Here's a basic outline of the steps you should take once you've prepared your materials and made a rough study plan for AP Psychology.

Step 1: Take and Score a Practice Test

The first step is to take a practice test to see how high you're currently scoring . The absolute best tests to take are those created by the College Board, since these will be most similar to what you'll see on test day.

There are three official AP Psychology practice tests available for free as PDFs:

• 2012 AP Psychology Exam
• 1999 AP Psychology Exam
• 1994 AP Psychology Exam

It's a smart idea to prioritize recent exams over older ones. Note, too, that the AP Psychology test underwent some changes in 2020 , so you might need to tweak these practice exams slightly.

Here's a conversion table that shows (roughly) how raw composite scores from practice tests translate to the AP scoring scale :

To calculate your raw composite score, add up the number of multiple-choice questions you answered correctly . Then, consult the scoring rubric for the free-response questions to calculate the number of points you earned on each question (out of 7 each).

Convert the number of points you got on the free-response questions to a value out of 50. For example, if you got 8 out of 14 points on the two free-response questions, you would convert that to about 29 out of 50.

Finally, add the raw score numbers from the multiple-choice and free-response sections together. If you earned 75 points (meaning you got 75 questions correct) on the multiple-choice section and 29 points on the free-response section, your composite score would be 104, making your official AP Score around a 4. See this article for more information on calculating your AP score .

Once you've scored your practice test, you can set a future score goal . This is pretty simple for AP tests because the score range is just 1-5. There's no reason not to aim for a 5 on the test , especially in the case of the AP Psychology exam. Since it's one of the less difficult AP tests, a 5 should be achievable for you if you simply put some effort into studying .

If you're scoring very low right now, though, you could think about aiming for a 3-4 and increasing your goal if you reach it before the test. Even if you're already in the 5 range, you should still consider doing a bit of studying if you have time. It's important to feel as comfortable as possible on test day!

Step 2: Analyze Your Mistakes

Look at the questions you got wrong or had to guess on in your practice test, and try to figure out why you struggled. Did you forget a term or concept? Were you not sure what the question was asking? Did you make a careless error? Did you run out of time? Which of these issues was most prevalent? Did you notice a certain type of question that you tended to get wrong?

Record your findings on the nature of your mistakes so that you can correct them in your studying. This guide will help you with reviewing your mistakes (I know it's for SAT/ACT practice specifically, but the same principles apply to AP tests).

Step 3: Review Weak Content Areas

If you made a lot of mistakes related to content or question misunderstandings, you should try to figure out which areas caused you the most trouble. Then, you can consult your notes or a review book to brush up on terms or concepts you've forgotten . AP Psychology involves quite a bit of memorization, so there's bound to be at least a few areas for which you weren't sure of the meaning or couldn't remember a specific detail.

Stay focused on your weak areas, and pay special attention to weak areas that are also big parts of the exam. For example, if questions about cognitive psychology give you trouble but you also struggle with developmental psychology, put more effort into studying the former, as it makes up a bigger part of the test. A knowledge deficit in this area will cost you more points in the end.

Step 4: Revise Your Test-Taking Strategies

If your mistakes fell heavily on the side of time issues and careless errors, you should think more about how you can change your approach to the test . Remember to avoid getting stuck on difficult questions if you're running out of time. Consider slowing down a bit and reading questions more carefully if you suffer from careless errors.

Step 5: Rinse and Repeat!

After you've revised your strategies and brushed up on your content knowledge, you should take another practice test to assess your progress . Then, you can go through the review process again and take steps to improve further. You can do this as many times as it takes for you to feel comfortable with the AP Psychology test and reach your score goal.

Conclusion: Your Best AP Psychology Review

When reviewing for the AP Psychology exam, it's important to pay attention to the format of the test so that you know what to expect on test day. You should also devote special attention to topic areas that are the most difficult for you . Both strong content knowledge and smart testing strategies are important if you want to earn a high score.

Practice tests are the most valuable tools in your arsenal for checking on your progress as you review the material. Keep revising your strategies and closing any gaps in your content knowledge until you get to a score that makes you happy!

What's Next?

Want to learn more about specific AP Psych topics? Then start with our discussion of Stockholm Syndrome .

What does a good score on the AP Psychology mean for you in college? Learn more about how AP credit works at colleges .

Are you taking AP US History along with AP Psychology? Read this article for some helpful AP US History study resources .

Samantha is a blog content writer for PrepScholar. Her goal is to help students adopt a less stressful view of standardized testing and other academic challenges through her articles. Samantha is also passionate about art and graduated with honors from Dartmouth College as a Studio Art major in 2014. In high school, she earned a 2400 on the SAT, 5's on all seven of her AP tests, and was named a National Merit Scholar.

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AP Psychology Exam: Study Plan and Resources

The AP Psychology exam is an opportunity for high school students to demonstrate their understanding of key concepts in psychology and potentially earn college credit. To excel on the exam, it's crucial to have a well-structured study plan and access to quality study resources. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you prepare effectively for the AP Psychology exam:

Creating Your Study Plan:

1. know the exam format:.

  - Familiarize yourself with the format of the AP Psychology exam. It consists of two sections: a multiple-choice section and a free-response section.

2. Set Clear Goals:

  - Define your goals for the exam, such as the score you aim to achieve. Having clear objectives will guide your study plan.

3. Create a Study Schedule:

  - Develop a study schedule that covers all the topics outlined in the AP Psychology curriculum. Allocate more time to challenging areas or topics you're less familiar with.

4. Break It Down:

  - Divide your study plan into manageable chunks. Assign specific topics or units to each study session to ensure comprehensive coverage.

5. Consistency Is Key:

  - Dedicate consistent daily or weekly study time. Regularity in your study routine will help you retain information effectively.

Top Resources for AP Psychology:

1. textbooks:.

  - "Psychology" by David G. Myers: This widely used textbook offers comprehensive coverage of AP Psychology topics. Make sure you have access to the most recent edition.

2. Online Courses:

  - Khan Academy: Khan Academy offers free online courses on psychology that align with the AP curriculum. Their interactive lessons and quizzes can be valuable study tools.

  - Coursera and edX: These platforms offer psychology courses from top universities, providing in-depth knowledge on specific topics that can complement your AP preparation.

3. Review Books:

  - "Barron's AP Psychology" and "Princeton Review's Cracking the AP Psychology Exam" are popular review books that provide practice questions and content review.

4. Flashcards:

  - Create or use flashcards to memorize key terms, concepts, and theories. Apps like Quizlet offer pre-made sets for AP Psychology.

5. Practice Tests:

  - Use official AP Psychology practice exams available on the College Board website. These exams closely resemble the real test and provide valuable practice.

  - Consider other practice test books like "5 Steps to a 5: AP Psychology" and "Barron's AP Psychology" for additional practice questions.

6. Online Resources:

  - Websites like AP Central (College Board's official AP resource) and AP Psychology Community provide sample questions, exam tips, and valuable insights from experienced AP Psychology teachers.

  - Psychology Today and American Psychological Association (APA) offer articles and resources that can help you understand real-world applications of psychology concepts.

Effective Study Strategies:

1. active learning:.

  - Engage actively with the material. Summarize, teach, or discuss topics with classmates to reinforce your understanding.

2. Practice Multiple-Choice Questions:

  - Regularly practice multiple-choice questions to improve your test-taking skills and knowledge retention.

3. Free-Response Practice:

  - Work on timed free-response questions to get comfortable with the format. Practice effective essay-writing skills and include relevant examples and terminology.

4. Mind Maps and Diagrams:

  - Use visual aids like mind maps, concept maps, and diagrams to organize complex information and relationships between concepts.

5. Mnemonics:

  - Create mnemonic devices to remember lists, theories, or key terms.

6. Study Groups:

 - Join or form a study group with peers. Discussing concepts and teaching each other can deepen your understanding.

7. Self-Assessment:

  - Periodically assess your progress with practice tests and quizzes. Identify areas where you need improvement and adjust your study plan accordingly.

Exam Day Preparation:

1. review your notes:.

  - On the day of the exam, review your notes and key concepts briefly but avoid cramming. Focus on building confidence in your knowledge.

2. Get a Good Night's Sleep:

  - Ensure you get adequate sleep the night before the exam to stay alert and focused during the test.

3. Bring Required Materials:

  - Check the College Board's website for the list of items you need to bring to the exam, such as a valid ID, No. 2 pencils, and a calculator (if allowed).

4. Manage Your Time:

  - During the exam, allocate time wisely. Don't spend too much time on a single question. Move on and return if needed.

5. Stay Calm:

  - Maintain a calm and positive mindset. Anxiety can affect your performance. Trust your preparation and stay confident.

By following this study plan and utilizing these resources, you can enhance your preparation for the AP Psychology exam. Remember that success comes from consistent effort, active learning, and effective test-taking strategies. Good luck with your AP Psychology exam!

In conclusion, preparing for the AP Psychology exam requires a well-structured study plan and access to quality study resources. This comprehensive guide has provided you with strategies to create an effective study plan, top resources for AP Psychology, and study strategies to maximize your preparation.

Remember that success on the AP Psychology exam is not solely about memorizing facts but understanding the underlying concepts and applying them to real-world scenarios. Active learning, practice tests, and self-assessment are key components of your preparation.

As you progress in your studies, stay focused, maintain a consistent study schedule, and use the resources available to you wisely. With dedication and a positive mindset, you can excel on the AP Psychology exam and earn college credit for your efforts. Best of luck in your AP Psychology journey!

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AP Psychology Review

Keep your AP Psychology exam review simple with this helpful guide

AP Psychology is one of the most important courses you’ll take in your high school career, giving you helpful insight about yourself and others. It can be especially useful for those wishing to enter the mental health industry, or for anyone who plans on working with people directly. You can also earn college credit by successfully passing the AP Psychology exam. 

Below, we’ve compiled what you need to know about questions, best practices and study habits surrounding the exam; helping you to have the best exam experience yet. 

Breakdown of the AP Psychology Exam 

The AP Psychology exam has two main parts: The multiple-choice section and the free response section. We’ve summarized each below.

Section 1: Multiple Choice

This area of the exam challenges students with multiple-choice questions about topics they’ve learned in their AP Psychology course. Students will be asked to analyze, apply, and recall information to successfully answer questions.

Possible sample topics include cognitive development theories, cognitive psychology and clinical psychology topics, and the scientific foundations of psychology as a discipline. This section is one hour and ten minutes long, and comprises 66.7% of a student’s exam score. 

Section 2: Free Response 

This section is 50 minutes long, and requires that students read, analyze, and answer questions — presenting their answer in a short-form essay format. 

Free-response questions will prompt students to apply learned theories and concepts to explain hypothetical behavior. Students may also be asked to analyze presented research, interpreting quantitative data and research elements. There are two free-response questions, which make up 33.3% of the AP Psychology exam score. 

Reviewing Key AP Psychology Concepts 

Looking to prepare for your upcoming AP exam? As you review your chapter content, consider the following key areas of focus that will likely show up during your exam: 

• Research methods in psychology. These methods are used to collect evidence that forms the foundation of psychological theories. There are many concepts to consider, including meta-analysis, surveys, case studies, experimental studies, content analysis and more. Students should familiarize themselves with the definition and use case of each method, and the basic steps to research using that method. 
• Biological bases of behavior. This area of research focuses on how biological triggers (such as someone’s hormones or genetics) can impact one’s behavior. Students should understand basic biological mechanisms that can affect someone’s mental health and the formation of psychological disorders. They should also understand the interplay that can occur between someone’s psychological or social development and physical development. 
• Sensation and perception. Students should understand the clinical definition of each, and how each concept can affect one’s brain and mental processes. They should also know about related disorders that can cause differences in both sensation and perception. 
• States of consciousness. Students should conduct an overview of the different states of consciousness; understanding the range of hallmarks associated with each. 
• Learning and memory. A key part of developmental psychology; students should focus on understanding the formation of one’s learning style and memories. They should also understand the variation that can occur in both areas — like the different learning styles and the individual differences some people might experience in the memory formation process. 
• Personality and intelligence. AP tests will often cover topics related to personality and intelligence. Students should familiarize themselves with personality types, the factors that can affect one’s intelligence, and the different forms of motivation that can influence how a person acts and reacts. 
• Abnormal psychology and treatment. High school students planning to take the AP psychology exam should familiarize themselves with abnormal psychology concepts, diagnoses, and treatment options. 

Strategies for Studying for the AP Psychology Exam 

We know that you’re preparing to consume a lot of information before your AP Psych exam. The good news? There are many strategies and resources you can consider as you build your custom study plan. For example: The College Board has released several sample questions , as well as relevant commentary to help you get a grasp on what they’re looking for. This can be especially helpful for those who have concerns about the free-response area of the AP exam. 

There are also plenty of free AP Psychology practice tests online, as well as psychology review guide options in all formats (like virtual flashcard decks, essay summaries, or quizzes). You can review these resources in addition to your text, related videos, and study guides from your Apex Learning Virtual School teacher. 

ALVS’ AP teachers provide resources to help students prepare as best as possible. ALVS students gain access to AP Classroom as part of their enrollment — this suite of digital tools and resources come straight from the College Board and are aligned with the exams. Leveraging AP Classroom, students can join individual teachers’ classrooms to access resources like daily videos, topic questions, and progress checks. Plus, students have access to AP Classroom even if they complete their AP course prior to the exam date. 

Now that you know where to start, here are a few more tips to try to make your study sessions as productive as possible. You’ve got this! 

Use Effective Study Techniques 

Everybody learns differently — and by now, you likely are well aware of what options work best for you. Whether you prefer to use flashcards to retain information, or you’re a fan of highlighting and note-taking, get what you need to study well. Then, stay consistent and chip away at your topic list every day prior to the exam. 

Not sure which study technique is best for you? Experiment and try some of these student-approved options below: 

• Mind mapping 
• Flashcards 
• The Pomodoro method 
• Self-teaching 
• Peer-teaching 
• Spaced repetition 
• Active recall 
• Cornell notes 
• Socratic questioning 

Leverage AP Review Books

If you’re someone who learns visually, you may benefit from the many AP Psychology review books. You can usually find these free to rent at your local library, or your school library (depending on what is available). You can also buy your own online or from your local bookstore if you want to mark your copy up. 

Take AP Practice Tests 

As we mentioned above, the College Board has a ton of AP practice tests available online, sorted by topic. You can confidently study and review with their materials, practicing information that will be relevant to your exam. Anything released by the College Board is ethical and free for your use as well, so you won’t have to worry about academic dishonesty. 

Tips for Taking the AP Psychology Exam 

Getting ready for exam day? You don’t have to feel stressed. Here are some of ALVS instructors’ best practices and tips for acing your AP Psychology exam. 

Manage time on the exam — It’s easy to let time tick by, especially when you’re focused on the exam. Prior to the exam, practice using AP Psych practice tests and time yourself — allotting yourself one hour for the multiple choice portion and 50 minutes for the free-response portion. By practicing this way, you’ll get a sense of how long you take to complete each portion, reducing speed-inhibiting nerves on exam day. 

Answer multiple-choice questions — Practicing with multiple-choice questions directly will give you a more accurate “feel” for the first portion of your AP Psychology exam. You can also practice going with your “gut” and avoiding second-guessing, which can ultimately lead to a wrong answer. 

Write high-scoring free-response answers — Free-response answers take practice. Feel free to use the released samples from the College Board to supercharge your study sessions. You should also consider practicing your short-form essay skills, and brushing up on grammar rules — as these are key areas of your free-response answers that will be scored. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is the AP Psych exam hard? 

Many students find that the AP Psych exam is difficult. However, consistent and comprehensive study habits can help students to feel prepared on exam day. Not sure where to start? Identify your specific learning style and your favorite study methods. Then, get to work — summarizing and “consuming” your available resources and prep materials. 

What is the best way to review for the AP Psych exam?  

There is no universally accepted “best” way to prepare. Many find that a combination of methods helps them (like flashcards, annotation, and peer teaching). Feel free to experiment until you find the strategies that are the most helpful to you. 

What percent of people get a 5 on the AP Psych exam? 

Recent data from the College Board suggests that 16.9% of students who take the AP Psych exam score a 5. Specifically, ALVS students earned an average score of 3.2 on all AP exams taken, nearly .3 higher than the 2022 national average (2.92). In AP Psychology, 70% of ALVS students scored a 3 or higher, nearly 12% higher than the 2022 national average reported by the College Board. 

What subjects does AP Psychology Review cover? 

The AP Psychology exam covers several key areas of focus; including biological bases of behavior, research methods in psychology, sensory and perception topics, learning and memory formation, and abnormal psychology topics. 

Preparing for the AP psychology exam can feel overwhelming. However, these helpful tips will make your time as painless and as effective as possible. Be sure to reference the free sample questions from the College Board and to study in a way that best suits you. If you’re an ALVS student preparing for the exam, be sure to leverage support from our dedicated team of experienced AP teachers, digital tools and resources, and engaging College Board-approved courses. No matter what score you get, know that you’re doing great and that you’re well on your way to a promising academic future. 

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AP Psychology Exam in High School

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell.

The AP Psychology exam can be an opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school. The exam can be tough, but knowing what to expect and being prepared can help you tackle the test. Discover what the AP Psychology exam is, what the test covers, and what you need to do to prepare.

What Is the AP Psychology Exam?

Advanced Placement Psychology, more commonly referred to as AP Psychology , is a college-level introductory psychology course offered at many high schools.

The course is offered as part of the College Board's Advanced Placement Program, allowing students to earn college credit. The course prepares students to take the AP Psychology Exam, a comprehensive test that covers material found in a typical college introductory psychology class.

Before you take the exam, you should first become familiar with the basic structure of the test as well as the content covered.

• The AP Psychology exam lasts for two hours.
• The test consists of a multiple-choice section and a free-response section. There are 100 multiple-choice questions and two free-response questions.
• Students have 70 minutes to complete the multiple-choice section and 50 minutes to complete the free-response section.
• The multiple-choice portion of the exam accounts for two-thirds of the score, while the free response section makes up the remaining one-third of the score.
• To pass, students must score a 3 or higher on a scale of 1 to 5.

According to the College Board , a total of 262,700 students took the AP Psychology test in 2021. Of these students, 55% earned a passing grade on the test, scoring a 3 or higher. As you can see from looking at the exam statistics, the AP Psychology test is by no means easy. The test is challenging and covers a considerable amount of information about psychology.

If you plan to take the AP Psychology test, be sure to start planning well in advance so that you can review the subject thoroughly.

Content Covered in the AP Psychology Exam

The exam covers subject matter that is typically taught in a college-level introductory psychology course. Some content areas of psychology have more test questions dedicated to it than others:

• Scientific Foundations of Psychology: 10–14%
• Biological Bases of Behavior : 8–10%
• Sensation and Perception: 6–8%
• Learning : 7–9%
• Cognitive Psychology : 13–17%
• Developmental Psychology : 7–9%
• Motivation, Emotion, and Personality: 11–15%
• Clinical Psychology: 12–16%
• Social Psychology : 8–10%

How to Register

If AP psychology classes are offered at your school, talk to your counselor about enrolling in AP Psychology. If you are homeschooled or your school does not offer AP courses, you can still enroll in independent study or possibly take an online AP course if it is offered in your state.

If your school has an AP Coordinator, inform them that you would like to take the test. The coordinator will then register you for the test, collect the exam fees, and let you know when and where the test will take place.

Homeschooled students will need to locate a school to take the AP Exam as early in the school year as possible. Each school has its own deadline for registering, but is usually near November 15th each year. The College Board provides an AP Course Ledger that provides an up-to-date list of schools that are providing AP exams. You will have to call the school and ask to speak to the AP coordinator to find out if they are allowing homeschooled students to take the exam at their location.

If you are homeschooled and have questions or need assistance with this process, contact AP Services . They can help you locate a school willing to administer the exam to homeschooled students.

You can also learn more about the registration process by visiting the registration page on the College Board website.

How to Prepare

Perhaps the best way to prepare for the AP Psychology test is to enroll in an AP Psychology course, but it is not required. The class will take you through the material that will be covered in the exam, so if you do well in class you should be adequately prepared to take the test. However, there are other preparation materials available to students not enrolled in the course or for those who feel they need extra help.

You can also find a variety of AP Psychology books, study guides, and practice exams that can help you prepare for the exam. These materials can be helpful for supplementing your classroom lectures and readings.

College Board. AP Psychology: The exam .

College Board. AP psychology exam: 2021 results .

College Board. AP psychology: Course and exam description .

College Board. Register for AP exams .

College Board. FAQ: I’m homeschooled/my school doesn’t administer AP Exams. How can I take an AP Exam?

College Board. FAQ: Can I take the AP Exam if I haven’t taken an AP course?

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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AP Introduction to Psychology is a challenging class. Get through the year with the help of an expert tutor by your side. Whether you need help picking a topic for an essay on developmental psychology or want to review the history of psychology, our all-star tutors are here for you. They’ll walk through your questions step-by-step until you are confident and ready to tackle the AP exam.

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AP® Psychology

How to rock your ap® psychology frq.

• The Albert Team
• Last Updated On: March 1, 2022

The AP® Psych FRQ, or free response question section of the AP® Psychology exam, consists of two questions that evaluate your ability to make connections across the AP® Psychology course material.  You will have 50 minutes to complete these two questions, which are worth 33% of your total exam score.

With the thought two “essays” after 100 multiple-choice questions, some of you may begin to freak out. But not to fear, with an understanding of the test , diligent studying, and the use of these key strategies you’ll know how to rock your AP® Psych FRQ in no time!

1. Do your homework

Before going into to any section of an AP® test it’s important to know what lies ahead of you.

Generally, one question is focused on a research study and will ask you to critique, analyze, redesign, or explain pieces of the experiment. The other, typically asks students to evaluate a problem, situation, or phenomenon using different theories, terms, and ideas from the AP® Psychology curriculum.

The questions can vary from these general formats, however, familiarizing yourself with these formats and visiting the College Board website  for past examples of AP® Psychology FRQ questions can definitely help you to practice. This way, you’ll have less of a surprise opening your exam booklet.

2. Read the e ntire  question, then read it again

Most of the questions in the AP® Psych FRQ section will have many parts. It is important that you read the entire question thoroughly before you start to plan or write your response.

This is NOT an English test. Don’t waste your time trying to craft an eloquent introduction or conclusion. Instead, focus on knowing exactly what the question is asking you, and answer EXACT®LY that. AP® readers (the teachers who grade your test) read tons of exams each day, and therefore will not have patience for responses that dance around the subject. After reading your question twice through, underline key terms to make sure you answer each part of the prompt and check them off as you go.

3. Maintain order

Some of you will want to answer the information you know the best first within your prompt. This can potentially confuse readers. Try instead to answer each question within your AP® Psych FRQ in the order it appears within the prompt.

To help with this, make a brief  (don’t waste too much time)  outline before you begin. Although you should NOT write in list or bullet format (as readers will only score essays with complete and fluid sentences), make sure to get to the point quickly and answer each portion of your prompt.

4. Be specific

You want to make your essay stand out to the reader. Make sure that by the end of reading your essay, they will know that you have a full understanding of the terms, theories, or experiments you discussed instead of just glazing over them like some other students. This means using concrete examples and clear language throughout your writing.

Most importantly, avoid being vague. For example, don’t just say that a specific technique helps us to remember information better, but be sure to state WHY this is so.

5. Don’t freak out if you don’t recognize something

No matter how much you study, it is not completely unreasonable that there will be a term or theory on the AP® Psych FRQ that you don’t recognize. There is a ton of information to know for this test, so some of it can slip your mind. The best strategy to deal with this? Don’t panic.

Take a deep breath, and count to 10. After this time is over, don’t allow yourself to stress about this issue. Instead, find a proactive solution. Look at the term again. Have you seen it in any previous multiple-choice questions? How can you figure it out based on the context of the question? If you still have no idea what the term is, try making an educated guess based on the words within the term and continuing to demonstrate what you do know about the larger question.

Then forget about it and move on to the next part. Don’t let one part of the question get you down!

By the way, you should check out Albert.io for your AP® Psychology review . We have hundreds of AP® Psychology practice questions written just for you!

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Time on Homework per AP

How much time do you spend on homework per AP class you take? For example, how much time would you spend on homework each day with 1 AP, 2 AP’s 3 AP’s, 4 AP’s, etc.

That will be dependent upon the AP class and the teacher - there is not standard. IME, assuming a yearlong course that meets daily for 45-50 minutes, the more time intensive APs, like Calc, Chem are about 45-60 minutes per night and the less intensive classes like psych or gov are 20-30 minutes per night.

I take 2 APs and the rest honors: Chinese III Honors: 3 hrs/wk Chemistry Honors: 3 hrs/wk (+ <8 hr/wk if there is a test) AP Euro: 20-60 min/night (+3 hr/wk if there is a test) World Lit Honors: <40min/wk if there are no essays or projects AP Computer Science Principles: typically finish homework @ school, but occasionally I will have homework that will take <2 hr/wk Algebra II Honors: 10-90 min/night (+3 hr/wk for quiz, +6 hr/wk for test) Lifeguard Training (PE class): typically there is no hw, but if there is, <10 min/night

@skieurope is right in that the time will vary.

However, I am in one AP right now: World History, and for me, it depends on the day. On days when I have homework, it takes around forty to eighty minutes. However, around sixty percent of the class days have homework, so I don’t always have it.

Have a good day!

I’m currently taking AP Calculus BC and AP Psych. I typically have over an hour a night for AP Calc and about two hours a week for AP Psych, depending on the week.

This is/was for me, personally, on a typical weeknight: APES: none AP Psych: 30 mins AP World: 30 mins AP Physics 1: 20 mins AP Computer Science Principles: none AP Calc AB: 10 mins AP US History: 40 mins AP Spanish Lang: none AP US Gov: none AP Chem: none or 90 mins AP Lit: 40 mins

This was just me, my teachers, and my school. I’m a fast worker, and I tend to finish things in class or at school. Additionally, if homework isn’t graded and I fully understand the concept, I don’t do it. Everyone is different, so do not assume your experience will be the same as mine.

A typical semester long college course nominally has a workload of about 12 hours per week, including in-class and out-of-class time.

So a high school AP course that covers a semester’s worth of college course material over a year (e.g. psychology, statistics) should have a workload of about 6 hours per week. If the in-class time is about 4 hours per week, it should have about 2 hours per week of reading, homework, and studying outside of class.

But a high school AP course that covers two semesters’ worth of college course material over a year (e.g. calculus BC) should have a workload of about 12 hours per week. If the in-class time is about 4 hours per week, it should have about 8 hours per week of reading, homework, and studying outside of class.

However, actual time spent on college courses is somewhat less than nominal for most (lab courses, computer science courses with programming, art studio, and music performance are commonly among the exceptions), so actual time spent on AP courses covering the same material may be somewhat less than nominal-equivalent as well.

There can also be variation in that some instructors can make the course more or less work than typical.

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Poland’s kids rejoice as government bans homework. Teachers and parents aren’t so sure.

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Ola Kozak is celebrating. The 11-year-old, who loves music and drawing, expects to have more free time for her hobbies after Poland’s government ordered strict limits on the amount of homework in the lower grades.

“I am happy,” said the fifth grader, who lives in a Warsaw suburb with her parents and younger siblings. The lilac-colored walls in her bedroom are covered in her art, and on her desk she keeps a framed picture she drew of Kurt Cobain.

“Most people in my class in the morning would copy the work off someone who had done the homework or would copy it from the internet. So it didn’t make sense,” she said.

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The government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk enacted the ban against required homework this month amid a broad discussion about the need to modernize Poland’s education system, which critics say puts too much emphasis on rote learning and homework, and not enough on critical thinking and creativity.

Under the decree, teachers are no longer to give required homework to kids in the first to third grades. In grades four to eight, homework is now optional and doesn't count towards a grade.

Not everyone likes the change – and even Ola’s parents are divided.

“If there is something that will make students enjoy school more, then it will probably be good both for the students and for the school,” said her father, Pawel Kozak.

His wife, Magda Kozak, was skeptical. “I am not pleased, because (homework) is a way to consolidate what was learned,” she said. “It helps stay on top of what the child has really learned and what’s going on at school.”

(Ola's brother Julian, a third grader, says he sees both sides.)

Debates over the proper amount of homework are common around the globe. While some studies have shown little benefit to homework for young learners, other experts say it can help them learn how to develop study habits and academic concepts.

Poland’s educational system has undergone a number of controversial overhauls. Almost every new government has tried to make changes — something many teachers and parents say has left them confused and discouraged. For example, after communism was thrown off, middle schools were introduced. Then under the last government, the previous system was brought back. More controversy came in recent years when ultra-conservative views were pushed in new textbooks.

For years, teachers have been fleeing the system due to low wages and political pressure. The current government is trying to increase teacher salaries and has promised other changes that teachers approve of.

But Sławomir Broniarz, the head of the Polish Teachers' Union, said that while he recognized the need to ease burdens on students, the new homework rules are another case of change imposed from above without adequate consultation with educators.

“In general, the teachers think that this happened too quickly, too hastily,” he said.

He argued that removing homework could widen the educational gaps between kids who have strong support at home and those from poorer families with less support and lower expectations. Instead, he urged wider changes to the entire curriculum.

The homework rules gained impetus in the runup to parliamentary elections last year, when a 14-year-old boy, Maciek Matuszewski, stood up at a campaign rally and told Tusk before a national audience that children “had no time to rest.” The boy said their rights were being violated with so much homework on weekends and so many tests on Mondays.

Tusk has since featured Matuszewski in social media videos and made him the face of the sudden change.

Education Minister Barbara Nowacka said she was prompted by research on children’s mental health. Of the various stresses children face, she said, "the one that could be removed fastest was the burden of homework.”

Pasi Sahlberg, a prominent Finnish educator and author, said the value of homework depends on what it is and how it is linked to overall learning. The need for homework can be “very individual and contextual.”

“We need to trust our teachers to decide what is good for each child,” Sahlberg said.

In South Korea, homework limits were set for elementary schools in 2017 amid concerns that kids were under too much pressure. However, teenagers in the education-obsessed country often cram long into the night and get tutoring to meet the requirements of demanding school and university admission tests.

In the U.S., teachers and parents decide for themselves how much homework to assign. Some elementary schools have done away with homework entirely to give children more time to play, participate in activities and spend time with families.

A guideline circulated by teachers unions in the U.S. recommends about 10 minutes of homework per grade. So, 10 minutes in first grade, 20 minutes in second grade and so on.

The COVID-19 pandemic and a crisis around youth mental health have complicated debates around homework. In the U.S., extended school closures in some places were accompanied by steep losses in learning, which were often addressed with tutoring and other interventions paid for with federal pandemic relief money. At the same time, increased attention to student wellbeing led some teachers to consider alternate approaches including reduced or optional homework.

It's important for children to learn that mastering something "usually requires practice, a lot of practice,” said Sahlberg, in Finland. If reducing homework leads kids and parents to think school expectations for excellence will be lowered, “things will go wrong.”

AP writers Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, Michael Melia in Hartford, Connecticut, and Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, contributed.