AP PSYCHOLOGY EXAM
Date: Monday, May 6th @ Noon
General AP Exam Info:
 Fee for exam is approximately $87 (see http://www.collegeboard.com for more details)
 Registration for AP exams takes place early 2nd semester (see the CRC)
Format of the Exam:
The AP Psychology Exam consists of two separate parts:
 70-minute multiple choice section (66.67% of total score)
 50-minute free-response section (33.3% of total score)
Multiple-Choice Section:
This section contains 100 multiple-choice questions, each followed by five suggested answers or completions (A,
B, C, D, E). You are no longer penalized for incorrect answers, so it is to your advantage to make an educated
guess if you are unsure of an answer. Your score for the multiple choice section will be determined by the number
of correct answers out of the 100 questions.
Free-Response Section:
This section of the exam is made up of two questions. You will be asked to demonstrate your knowledge of
concepts, terms, and methods in the field of psychology. Read the prompt carefully and make sure you develop a
logical, complete, and well-organized answer. Only include information that is relevant to the topic, but provide as
much specific information as possible without contradiction. Each free-response question is worth a different
number of points, but you must answer both questions. Generally, each question is about 8-10 points, and points
are earned for each element of the question that you answer successfully.
Scoring
The AP exam is scored on a 5-point scale:
5 = extremely well qualified
4 = well qualified
3 = qualified
2 = possibly qualified
1 = no recommendation
Topics on the AP Psychology Exam
History & Approaches……………………..
Research Methods ……….………………..
Biological Bases of Behavior…………….
Sensation & Perception…………………..
States of Consciousness………………….
Learning…………………………………..……..
Cognition………………………………………..
2-4% of questions on the exam
8-10%
8-10%
6-8%
2-4%
7-9%
8-10%
*Memory, Thinking & Language
Motivation & Emotion…………………….
Developmental Psychology……………
Personality…………………………...……….
Testing & Individual Differences……
There will be several review sessions held in April after
school to prepare for the exam. While not required, you are
highly encouraged to attend as many of these sessions as
you are able. A schedule of review sessions will be on the
course website in the spring.
You are also recommended to purchase or borrow from the
library the Princeton Review or Barron’s study guides.
6-8%
7-9%
5-7%
5-7%
*Intelligence
Abnormal Psychology…………………….
7-9%
Treatment of Psychological Disorders… 5-7%
Social Psychology…………………………
8-10%