AP Psychology Exam Helpful Hints
The purpose of this sheet is to give you some guidelines for success on the AP exam. While this
is not a definitive work, any additional strategies you can get are to your benefit.
Test Break-Down
 section I: 100 multiple choice (70 minutes)
 section II: 2 essay questions (50 minutes)
Scoring
 Multiple choice = # correct – (1/4 x the # wrong)
 Free Response – These are graded each June by readers from universities and high
schools across the country. They use a set scale to grade the writings and basically
check off each element as it occurs. Most are worth 10 points.
Strategies
Multiple Choice
 Keep a cool head. Remember that the AP Exam is not like a regular quiz or test when
you have to do almost perfectly to get an A. If you get roughly 80% of the multiple
choice and do well on the essays, then you can get a 5. So, if you are finding every
fourth question to be hard, then you could still be doing well.
 If you eliminate even one answer, then GUESS. Since the wrong answers are
multiplied by ¼, then a one-in-four guess should work in your favor.
 Many of the terms used in Psychology are common sense. Even though you don’t
recognize “cognitive dissonance,” for example, you can generally infer from its name
what is meant.
 10 to 12 questions on the test you will not have seen anywhere in the test, or possibly
in the course. The rationale behind this is that someone who does exceptionally well
on the test should be able to assimilate information together that they have the
background information for, and they will also have researched beyond the demands
of the class.
Free Response
 Even if the question is written in list form, do not list in your answer.
 Write in ink – scratching out is acceptable.
 Write legibly – remember human beings are scoring the written portion of the exam.
If your answers are read at the end/beginning of the day, then you may not get a
correct reading.
 Read the question at least twice before attempting to answer it. Don’t try to restate it
either, just simply start writing. Creative writing ability does not add points.
 Each response question is weighted equally no matter the difference in size between
them.
 Explain all aspects of your answer. Assume that the reader knows little or nothing
about psychology (even though they will). Do not use statements such as, “In
Milgram’s study…” having not explained it somewhere in your writing.
Top Ten Practical Tips for Writing an AP Psych Essay
1. Read the essay twice, and read it slowly and carefully.
2. What specifically is the essay asking for in the question?
3. Determine how many points the essay is worth (usually 8-10 points)
4. Picture visually what the rubric is for the grader.
5. Write a brief outline on your essay booklet to this rubric.
6. Write a thorough but concise essay.
7. Keep an eye on the clock (wear a watch if you don’t normally)
8. Write in a technical (rather than creative) style to address each point.
9. Assume the grader does not know psychology (explain each term or concept)
10. Write neatly in pen (no pencil).