Success on the AP Psychology Exam
 Knowledge
 Need to know the material of a typical Introduction
to Psychology course at the college level.
 Typical college course meets for 15 weeks, 3 times
a week for 45 class hours.
 Textbooks
 Weiten Text: 714 pages
 Gleitman Text: 720 pages
 Bernstein Text: 627 pages
 Myers Text: 794 pages
Success on the AP Psychology Exam
 Understanding of the AP Psychology Test
 Knowing the basic elements of the AP Psychology
test including:
 Number of questions in the total test
 Number of questions from each individual unit
 Types of questions possible
 How the questions are arraigned?
 How is the test scored?
Success on the AP Psychology Exam
 Motivation
 Drive to do well on the test
 Reasons for a 5
 Time/Work
 Willingness to put in the time and effort needed to succeed
 Confidence
 Feeling you are prepared and have the skills needed to pass
the test.
Test Taking Strategies
General Tips for Test Taking
Multiple Choice Section
Free Response
Questions
General Tips for Test Taking
 Know the structure of the test
 Multiple Choice Section - 100 questions
A-E
 Column format
 Questions taken
from every unit
on a percentage
basis

AP Psychology Exam Structure
History and Approaches
Research Methods
Biological Bases of Behavior
Sensation and Perception
States of Consciousness
Learning
Cognition
Motivation and Emotion
Developmental Psychology
Personality
Testing and Individual Differences
Abnormal Psychology
Treatment of Psychological Disorders
Social Psychology
2-4%
8-10%
8-10%
6-8%
2-4%
7-9%
8-10%
6-8%
7-9%
5-7%
5-7%
7-9%
5-7%
8-10%
AP Psychology Exam Structure
Research Methods
Biological Bases of Behavior
Cognition
Social Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Learning
Motivation and Emotion
Sensation and Perception
Personality
Testing and Individual Differences
Treatment of Psychological Disorders
History and Approaches
States of Consciousness
8-10%
8-10%
8-10%
8-10%
7-9%
7-9%
7-9%
6-8%
6-8%
5-7%
5-7%
5-7%
2-4%
2-4%
AP Psychology Exam Structure
History, Approaches and Research Methods
Biological Bases of Behavior
Cognition
Social Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Learning
Motivation and Emotion
Sensation and Perception
Personality
Testing and Individual Differences
Treatment of Psychological Disorders
States of Consciousness
10-14%
8-10%
8-10%
8-10%
7-9%
7-9%
7-9%
6-8%
6-8%
5-7%
5-7%
5-7%
2-4%
General Tips for Test Taking
 Know the structure of the test
 Free Response Section - 2 questions
No choice
 Multiple parts

General Tips for Test Taking
 Make good use of your time and be aware of
time restraints
 Multiple Choice - 70 minutes (100 questions)
 Free Response - 50 minutes (2 questions)
 Bring a watch to the test
 Directions on exam
(see next slide)
General Tips for Test Taking
 Make good use of your time and know your time
restraints
 “Use your time effectively, working as quickly as
you can without losing accuracy. Do not spend
too much time on any one question. Go on to
other questions and come back to the ones you
have not answered if you have time. It is not
expected that everyone will know the answers to
all of the multiple-choice questions.”
General Tips for Test Taking
 Read the directions carefully
 “Mark the one best answer”
 “Mark all correct answers”
 AP Psychology test says:
 “Each of the questions or
incomplete statements below is
followed by five suggested answers or
completions. Select the one that is best in each
case and then fill in the corresponding oval on
the answer sheet.”
General Tips for Test Taking
 Know how the test is graded
 Multiple Choice

2/3 of overall grade
100 Points
 Free Response


1/3 of overall grade
50 Points
 150 Total Points

General Tips for Test Taking
Section I: Multiple Choice
_____
Number Correct
=
__________
Multiple-Choice Score
Notes: If any questions are thrown out the 1.0 will change to
reflect that change.
1999 – two questions 1.0204
2007 – one question 1.0101
General Tips for Test Taking
Section II: Free Response (Assumes one 8 point and
one 10 point question)
(3.1250 X _______) + (2.500 X ________ ) =
Question 1
(Out of 8)
Question 2
(Out of 10)
_____
Free Response
Score
Note: The numbers will change dependent on how many
points each question in a given year is worth.
General Tips for Test Taking
Section III: Composite Score
______________ + ___________ = _______________
Multiple Choice Free Response Composite Score
Score
Score
Section IV: Final Score
General Tips for Test Taking
Section I: Multiple Choice
74
_____
Number Correct
74
Multiple-Choice Score
Notes: If any questions are thrown out the 1.0 will change to
reflect that change.
General Tips for Test Taking
Section III: Composite Score
74.00 + ___________ = _______________
______________
Multiple Choice Free Response Composite Score
Score
Score
Section IV: Final Score
General Tips for Test Taking
Section II: Free Response (Assumes two 8 point and
8 point question)
18.75
6
(3.1250 X _______)
+
Question 1
(Out of 8)
15
6 )
(2.500 X ________
Question 2
(Out of 10)
=
33.75
_____
Free Response
Score
Note: The numbers will change dependent on how many
points each question in a given year is worth.
General Tips for Test Taking
Section III: Composite Score
74.00 + ___________
33.75 = _______________
107.75
______________
Multiple Choice Free Response Composite Score
Score
Score
Section IV: Final Score
General Tips for Test Taking
 Don’t waste time with extremely difficult
questions
 Don't waste time pondering difficult-toanswer questions excessively. If you have no
idea at all, just guess (there is no penalty for
doing so) and go on. If you need to devote a
good deal of time to the question, skip it and
mark it so you can return to it later if time
permits.
General Tips for Test Taking
 Are charts, graphs, drawings, etc.
on the test?
 Are there names on the test?
General Tips for Test Taking
 Keep to the level of the test
 Adopt the appropriate level of sophistication
for the test. Don't read things into
questions. Sometimes students make things
more complex that they were intended to be.
Often, simple-looking questions are just
what they appear to be.
 AP Psychology test appears to
go from easiest questions to
the hardest questions.
General Tips for Test Taking
 If possible, review your answers
 If you complete all of the questions and still
have some time remaining, review the test.
Make sure that you have recorded your
answers correctly, especially when using a
scanner sheet. If you were unsure of some
answers, go back and reconsider them.
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Multiple Choice Question Structure
Stem
1.Which of the following is responsible
for focusing the image on the retina?
Decoys/distracters
Correct Answer
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
cornea
optic nerve
rods
cones
lens
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Anticipate the answer
As you read the stem of each multiple choice
question, anticipate the answer if you can,
before looking at the options. If the answer you
anticipated is among the options, it is likely to be
the correct one.
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Anticipate the answer
When Shelly first had cable television service installed,
Public Broadcasting (PBS) was on channel 9. Her cable
company then switched PBS to channel 16. Shelly now
has trouble remembering that PBS is on channel 16 and
not on channel 9. This memory problem represents
(AP Psychology Exam 2004 #86)
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Anticipate the answer
When Shelly first had cable television service installed,
Public Broadcasting (PBS) was on channel 9. Her cable
company then switched PBS to channel 16. Shelly now
has trouble remembering that PBS is on channel 16 and
not on channel 9. This memory problem represents
(A) memory decay
(B) retrograde amnesia
(C) reconstruction errors
(D) retroactive interference
(E) proactive interference
(AP Psychology Exam 2004 #86)
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Anticipate the answer
When Shelly first had cable television service installed,
Public Broadcasting (PBS) was on channel 9. Her cable
company then switched PBS to channel 16. Shelly now
has trouble remembering that PBS is on channel 16 and
not on channel 9. This memory problem represents
(A) memory decay
(B) retrograde amnesia
(C) reconstruction errors
(D) retroactive interference
(E) proactive interference
(AP Psychology Exam 2004 #86)
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Completely read each question and every answer
Always read each question completely. Continue
reading even if you find your anticipated answer
among the options. There may be a more
complete option farther down the list.
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Completely read each question and every answer
Which of the following is evidence of the reliability of a
new intelligence test?
(A) A correlation of +0.90 exists between scores on the
new test and scores on the Wechsler Intelligence
Scale for Children.
(B) The test predicts students’ ability to succeed in
college.
(C) The correlation between scores for identical twins
taking the test is +0.90.
(D) Baseline data for test norming are obtained from a
diverse sample of several thousand participants.
(E) The correlation between scores of participants
who take two forms of the test is +0.90.
(AP Psychology Exam 2004 #70)
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Completely read each question and every answer
Which of the following is evidence of the reliability of a
new intelligence test?
(A) A correlation of +0.90 exists between scores on the
new test and scores on the Wechsler Intelligence
Scale for Children.
(B) The test predicts students’ ability to succeed in
college.
(C) The correlation between scores for identical twins
taking the test is +0.90.
(D) Baseline data for test norming are obtained from a
diverse sample of several thousand participants.
(E) The correlation between scores of participants who
take two forms of the test is +0.90.
(AP Psychology Exam 2004 #70)
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Re-phrase complicated questions
If the question is too complex try to re-phrase it
into a form you can understand.
“In their deliberations and discussions regarding
the process of developmental maturation, the
advocates of the importance of nurture in the
nature/nurture controversy emphasize which of
the following concepts?”
In the nature/nurture controversy, what do the
nurture supporters believe?
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Stick to the subject matter
Watch for answers that have nothing to do with
the subject matter of the course or have nothing
to do with the subject matter of the particular
unit the question is testing.
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Stick to the subject matter
Alfred Binet’s most important contribution to psychology
was in the area of
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
intelligence testing
visual perception
psychopathology
comparative psychology
classical conditioning
(AP Psychology Exam 2004 #34)
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Stick to the subject matter
Alfred Binet’s most important contribution to psychology
was in the area of
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
intelligence testing
visual perception
psychopathology
comparative psychology
classical conditioning
(AP Psychology Exam 2004 #34)
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Watch for help
Look for answers
or help within
other questions
of the test.
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Watch for help
Which of the following theoretical frameworks would
argue most strongly that a healthy child will choose
what is good for his or her growth?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
Social learning theory
Psychoanalytic
Behavioral
Humanistic
Psychodynamic
(AP Psychology Exam 2004 #05)
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Watch for help
Which of the following theoretical frameworks would
argue most strongly that a healthy child will choose
what is good for his or her growth?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
Social learning theory
Psychoanalytic
Behavioral
Humanistic
Psychodynamic
(AP Psychology Exam 2004 #05)
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Watch for help
The humanistic perspective in psychology suggests that
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
most behavior can be explained by operant
conditioning principles
all humans have peak experiences
all humans are by nature good
humans are doomed to a life of neurosis and
suffering
self-actualization can happen only through
therapy
(AP Psychology Exam 2004 #49)
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Watch for help
The humanistic perspective in psychology suggests that
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
most behavior can be explained by operant
conditioning principles
all humans have peak experiences
all humans are by nature good
humans are doomed to a life of neurosis and
suffering
self-actualization can happen only through
therapy
(AP Psychology Exam 2004 #49)
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Use “all of the above” to your advantage
On items that have "all of the above" as an
option, if you know that just two of the options
are correct, you should choose "all of the
above."
If you are confident that one of the options is
incorrect, you should eliminate this option and
"all of the above" and choose from the
remaining options.
AP Psychology exam has not had any “all of the
above” or “none of the above” questions
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Use qualifiers and 100% words
Qualifiers: often, sometimes, perhaps, may,
generally, some, seldom, usually, ordinarily, etc.
Options that use qualifiers tend to be correct.
100% words: never, none, no, every, always, all,
only, entirely, necessarily, completely, totally, etc.
Options that represent broad, sweeping
generalizations tend to be incorrect.
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Use flaws within the test to your advantage
Many writers of test questions make mistakes that you
can use to help determine the correct answer.
Common Flaws in Multiple Choice Items
 Flaw #1
 The incorrect options are highly implausible.
The part of the brain responsible for higher order
thinking is the:
A. cerebrum
B. pupil
C. repression
D. pituitary gland
E. mania
Common Flaws in Multiple Choice Items
 Flaw #1
 The incorrect options are highly implausible.
The part of the brain responsible for higher order
thinking is the:
A. cerebrum
B. pupil
C. repression
D. pituitary gland
E. mania
Common Flaws in Multiple Choice Items
 Flaw #2
 Equivalence and/or contradictions among options
allow one to eliminate the incorrect options.
Which of the following is a anxiety disorder?
A. manic depression
B. bipolar disorder
C. phobia
D. dissociative amnesia
E. psychogenic amnesia
Common Flaws in Multiple Choice Items
 Flaw #2
 Equivalence and/or contradictions among options
allow one to eliminate the incorrect options.
Which of the following is a anxiety disorder?
A. manic depression
B. bipolar disorder
C. phobia
D. dissociative amnesia
E. psychogenic amnesia
Common Flaws in Multiple Choice Items
 Flaw #3
 Content information in other items provides the
answer.
 Flaw #4
 The correct option is more detailed and/or more
specific than all the other options.
 Flaw #5
 The correct option is longer than all the other
options.
Common Flaws in Multiple Choice Items
 Flaw #6
 There is grammatical inconsistency between the
stem and the incorrect options but not the correct
option.
 Flaw #7
 The incorrect options include certain key words that
tend to appear in false statements (i.e. always, must,
never, and so on).
Common Flaws in Multiple Choice Items
 Flaw #8
 There is a resemblance between the stem and correct
option but not the incorrect options.
Skinner and the other behaviorists would promote
which of the following therapies?
A. psychoanalysis
B. humanistic therapy
C. behavioral therapy
D. Gestalt therapy
E. cognitive therapy
Common Flaws in Multiple Choice Items
 Flaw #8
 There is a resemblance between the stem and correct
option but not the incorrect options.
Skinner and the other behaviorists would promote
which of the following therapies?
A. psychoanalysis
B. humanistic therapy
C. behavioral therapy
D. Gestalt therapy
E. cognitive therapy
Common Flaws in Multiple Choice Items
Flaw #1 - The incorrect options are highly implausible
Flaw #2 - Equivalence and/or contradictions among options allow
one to eliminate the incorrect options.
Flaw #3 - Content information in other items provides the answer.
Flaw #4 - The correct option is more detailed and/or more specific
than all the other options.
Flaw #5 - The correct option is longer than all the other options.
Flaw #6 - There is grammatical inconsistency between the stem and
the incorrect options but not the correct option.
Flaw #7 - The incorrect options include certain key words that tend
to appear in false statements (i.e. always, must, never, and so on).
Flaw #8 - There is a resemblance between the stem and correct
option but not the incorrect options.
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Eliminate implausible answers
Learn how to quickly eliminate
options that are highly
implausible. Many questions
have only two plausible
options, accompanied by
"throwaway" options for
filler. You should work at
spotting these implausible
options so that you can quickly
discard them and narrow your
task.
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Eliminate implausible answers
According to Benjamin Whorf’s linguistic relatively hypothesis,
which of the following is true?
(A) Individuals have a natural predisposition to walk in the first
two years of life.
(B) Individuals learn positive instances of reinforcement faster
than they learn negative instances.
(C) Children learn “object permanence” much sooner than
Piaget proposed in his cognitive theory.
(D) Different languages predispose those individuals
who speak them to think about the world in different
ways.
(E) Children learn quantifying behaviors through their
interactions with adults before learning qualifying
behaviors.
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Eliminate implausible answers
According to Benjamin Whorf’s linguistic relatively hypothesis,
which of the following is true?
(A) Individuals have a natural predisposition to walk in the first
two years of life.
(B) Individuals learn positive instances of reinforcement faster
than they learn negative instances.
(C) Children learn “object permanence” much sooner than
Piaget proposed in his cognitive theory.
(D) Different languages predispose those individuals who speak
them to think about the world in different ways.
(E) Children learn quantifying behaviors through their
interactions with adults before learning qualifying
behaviors.
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Eliminate implausible answers
Which of the following is an example of a metacognition?
(A) Explaining the significance of the client’s dreams to
their disorder.
(B) Protecting the terminal buttons of the neuron
from destruction by enzymes in the spinal cord.
(C) Viewing personality disorders as adjustments
to the environment.
(D) Understanding the role of various parts of the
brain in motor coordination.
(E) Knowing the effectiveness of different strategies for
learning statistical formulas.
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Eliminate implausible answers
Which of the following is an example of a metacognition?
(A) Explaining the significance of the client’s dreams to
their disorder.
(B) Protecting the terminal buttons of the neuron
from destruction by enzymes in the spinal cord.
(C) Viewing personality disorders as adjustments to
the environment.
(D) Understanding the role of various parts of the
brain in motor coordination.
(E) Knowing the effectiveness of different strategies for
learning statistical formulas.
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Eliminate implausible answers
A college student experiences a loss of sensation in her
right arm before exams. Doctors can find no
physiological basis for her condition. This student is
most likely experiencing which of the following kinds of
disorders?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
Somatoform
Dissociative
Anxiety
Mood
Personality
(AP Psychology Exam 2004 #64)
Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
Eliminate implausible answers
A college student experiences a loss of sensation in her
right arm before exams. Doctors can find no
physiological basis for her condition. This student is
most likely experiencing which of the following kinds of
disorders?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
Somatoform
Dissociative
Anxiety
Mood
Personality
(AP Psychology Exam 2004 #64)
Free Response Section
Test Structure

2 Free Response (Essay) Questions

Required to do both
Free Response Section
Time Structure

50 minutes to complete both essays

Can break up your time on the essays
any way you want

Watch your time. Don’t get caught
short on essay #2
Free Response Section
Scoring

Essays are 1/3 of the overall score

Each essay 1/6 of the overall score

Each essay will have a specific number
of points (6-12)

Points are then mathematically changed
to equal 25 for a perfect essay
General Tips for Test Taking
Section II: Free Response (Assumes two 8 point and
8 point question)
18.75
6
(3.1250 X _______)
+
Question 1
(Out of 8)
15
6 )
(2.500 X ________
Question 2
(Out of 10)
=
33.75
_____
Free Response
Score
Note: The numbers will change dependent on how many
points each question in a given year is worth.
General Tips for Test Taking
Section II: Free Response (Assumes two 8 point and
8 point question)
25
6
(4.1667 X _______)
Question 1
(Out of 6)
+
12.5
6 )
(2.083 X ________
Question 2
(Out of 12)
=
37.5
_____
Free Response
Score
Note: The numbers will change dependent on how many
points each question in a given year is worth.
Free Response Section
Style of the Questions

One essay tends to be unit based

One essay tends to go across units

Questions tend to be relatively specific

Application questions with listing of terms
Free Response Question 2009 #1
1. Dimitri and Linda are trying to learn a new routine to
compete successfully in a dance competition. Give an
example of how each of the following could affect their
performance. Definitions without application do not
score.
• Extrinsic motivation
• Punishment
• Proactive interference
• Endorphins
7
points
• Vestibular system
• Divergent thinking
• Introversion
Free Response Question 2009 #2
2. James is in a driver’s education course preparing to take his driving
test. The course includes both book work and driving on the road to
prepare students for a written test and a road test.
(a) Describe how each of the following might influence his ability to
drive a car during the road test. Definitions without application do
not score.
• Cognitive map
• Cerebellum
7 points
• Observational learning
• Human factors
(b) Describe how each of the following are related to the results of
the written test. Definitions without application do not score.
• Reticular formation
• Predictive validity
• Semantic memory
Free Response Section
Scoring

Points are given for correct responses

Points are not removed unless you
contradict yourself
 Points are not removed for Handwriting/
Spelling/Grammar issues
Free Response Section
 Helpful Hints – Before Writing
 Read both essays
 Think through your answer before you
start writing
 Try to determine the point values for the
question
 Write an outline/notes on the essay
question sheet
 If you are not sure take a logical guess.
Free Response Section
 Writing the Essays
 Format of the Answer
 Write your answers in essay form.
 DO NOT outline, write bullets, etc.
 Follow the format of the the question.
 Use paragraphs to separate the different
sections
 Underline key points and concepts
 Define and give examples
Free Response Section
 Writing the Essays
 Do not worry if you cannot answer all of
the question.
 Try to avoid compound or complex
sentences. Style does not get you points.
 Avoid circular definitions.
 Be complete but to the point.
 DO NOT restate the question.
Free Response Section
 Writing the Essays
 Introductions and conclusions are NOT
needed.
 DO NOT concept bomb the answer.
 Answer the question, don’t try to be cute.
 Define any concepts in the question.