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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, ap psychology practice tests: complete collection.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Practice tests are some of the best review tools for AP Psychology. They'll give you insight into your areas of weakness and prepare you for the structure and content of the actual test. We'll list all the official and unofficial practice tests available online and provide advice on how to use them to get a great score on the AP test.

Official AP Psychology Practice Tests

It's best to use official practice tests when preparing for the AP Psych exam because you can be sure that the questions are faithful representations of what to expect on test day. Only a limited supply of official exams have been released, but you should be able to get enough practice out of them (and you can still supplement with some unofficial tests if necessary, which we'll discuss in the next section).

Fortunately, there haven't been many major changes to the AP Psychology exam this year , so even old tests can be valid resources if you know how to use them. Be aware that changes are expected for the 2023-24 school year, but we’ll let you know when those go into effect!

Still, it's important to be aware that the AP Psychology test also changed slightly  in 2019-2020 (mostly in terms of course units and how the free-response section is scored). You can read more about these changes and the current format in the 2020 Course and Exam Description .

There are four official AP Psych practice tests you can download for free as PDFs:

• 2016 AP Psychology Exam
• 2012 AP Psychology Exam
• 1999 AP Psychology Exam
• 1994 AP Psychology Exam

If you're looking for more free-response practice specifically, you can try working on official free-response questions in isolation . Most of these also have accompanying answer keys and sample responses to help you better understand what the graders are expecting. You can get tons of free-response questions on the College Board website ( from 2021 all the way back to 1999 ).

Additionally, if you want to practice multiple-choice questions without having to take a complete practice exam, you can check out the sample questions in the AP Psychology Course Descriptions:

• 2019-20 AP Psych Course Description : Includes 15 multiple-choice questions and two free-response questions, as well as answers
• 2014-15 AP Psych Course Description : Includes 25 multiple-choice questions and two free-response questions, as well as answers

You might be able to find additional official practice tests and questions online from other sources. Your teacher will also have access to practice testing materials that are not available to the general public. If you're looking for more official AP tests, talk to your teacher and see whether they can provide you with any extra resources.

Unofficial AP Psychology Practice Exams

Unofficial practice tests can also be helpful for your AP Psych prep, but you shouldn't rely on them entirely. While they still test roughly the same content as the real exam, their questions might be phrased differently and have a slightly higher or lower difficulty level. Usually, the ones you must pay for will be higher quality than free unofficial ones, so keep this in mind.

It's a good idea to intersperse official practice tests with these unofficial ones in your prep.

Shmoop Practice Tests

Shmoop offers one AP Psychology diagnostic test and three full-length practice exams that mimic the content and format of the real test (free-response section included). You have to pay for an account eventually. The rate for a student account is $14.99 a month .

REA Online Practice Exam

This is just one AP Psychology practice test, but it includes automatic scoring and analyzes your mistakes for you . The exam is also timed, so testing conditions are replicated relatively accurately (minus the fact that it's on the computer). The cost is $5.95.

Varsity Tutors Diagnostic Tests

This well-known test-prep company offers tons of free full-length AP Psychology exams (minus the free-response section) . While they're not the highest quality out there, these are good to use to review some of the material you've learned and to keep drilling important concepts. It's also got several shorter quizzes organized by topic area.

How to Review With AP Psychology Practice Tests

Practice tests can be used throughout the school year and in your final review sessions for the AP Psychology exam. They're the best way to judge how advanced you are in your knowledge of the material. They'll also help you gain familiarity with the format of the AP Psych test so that you're not caught off-guard on test day.

Here's some advice on using these practice tests in your prep at different points throughout the year.

First Semester: In-Class Test Prep

At this point, you're just preparing for in-class tests and haven't learned all the information for the course yet. You might decide to use practice sites that include focused questions on specific aspects of the AP Psychology curriculum , such as this one .

Still, the Psychology practice tests in this article might be helpful resources. You can sort through the free-response questions that were asked on previous administrations of the test to find ones that are relevant to what you've learned so far.

It's a smart idea to practice free-response questions well ahead of time because they require the most independent knowledge. Most students have a tougher time on this section than on the multiple-choice section because you don't get a list of options that might jog your memory about a certain term or concept. Guessing isn't a viable option, so it's important to prepare thoroughly.

Second Semester: AP Test Prep

As you head into your second semester, start thinking about prepping for the AP test with full-length practice exams. You will have learned most of the material by the middle of the second semester, so you'll be able to use AP Psych practice tests to judge your skills more accurately. We'd recommend taking your first full-length test sometime in March.

Online tests can be helpful, but make sure you print out some practice tests, too; this is the only way to see whether your time management is on point. When you take a Psychology practice test, be sure to treat it seriously so that you can learn from your mistakes. After you finish, score it and investigate your incorrect answers.

There are several reasons why you might answer a question incorrectly. It could be due to poor time management, a careless mistake, or a lack of content knowledge. If one of the first two problems is the source of many of your mistakes, you probably need to take more practice tests to get used to the format while learning to read more carefully and pace yourself better.

If your mistakes have more to do with content knowledge, then you can narrow your focus further by categorizing your wrong answers by subject ( consult the list of topics in this article ). This way, you can primarily study parts of the course that you struggle with and avoid wasting time on concepts you already understand.

Once you've identified your mistakes on the practice test and taken steps to correct them, take another test to check your progress . Again, make sure you take this test with the same time limits as the real AP test. After taking the second test, repeat the steps of scoring it and looking through your mistakes. Continue this process until you feel fully prepared for the AP Psych exam.

If you struggle with the free-response questions, it might be productive to practice them between full practice tests. The more familiar you are with the way free-response questions are asked and what graders expect, the more likely you are to ace this section on the real test in May.

These questions will also help reinforce your understanding of psychological terms because they often ask you to apply terms to a hypothetical real-life scenario.

4 Essential AP Psychology Practice Testing Tips

Here are a few important tips to remember while using practice tests to review for AP Psychology.

#1: Always Time Yourself

We've said it before, and we'll say it again: if you want to assess your weak spots accurately, you need to time yourself as though you're taking the real test. You don't want time pressure to be your downfall after working your butt off to memorize all the content. If you can get a parent, sibling, or friend who doesn't have anything better to do for two hours than to be a mock proctor for you, that's even better!

#2: Don't Overthink

It's especially funny to list this tip for AP Psychology, but it's also relevant to the way the questions are structured. You'll see quite a few questions that seem complex but are just a matter of common sense. Try not to second-guess yourself on these types of questions. The test isn't trying to trick you!

#3: Be Direct in the Free-Response Section

When some students think about free-response questions, they imagine writing a five-paragraph essay. You don't have to do that on this test! All the graders want are the correct answers written in complete sentences. Forget about intros, conclusions, or any other fluffy stuff you're tempted to include—just get straight to the point.

#4: Put More Faith in Official Test Scores Than Unofficial Ones

It's tempting to believe that a high score on an unofficial test is valid, but it can get you into trouble. Remember that some tests could be easier or harder than the real AP test because the questions weren't designed by the College Board.

You should always include at least one official AP Psychology practice test in your studying so you can compare the difficulty levels and get an accurate reading on your progress.

Conclusion: Prepping With AP Psychology Practice Tests

Use the practice tests in this article as tools to bolster your prep for AP Psychology. Both official tests and unofficial tests are valuable resources, but you should definitely pay more attention to your scores on official tests when judging your progress and skill level.

Going over mistakes on practice tests will help you understand where your weaknesses lie and how you can fix them. If you take multiple practice tests, analyze your mistakes, and plan out your studying responsibly, you can expect high scores on the AP Psych test and any in-class tests you take throughout the year .

What's Next?

Looking for more guidance in preparing for this test? Read my complete AP Psychology study guide to get a collection of helpful notes. You should also check out our description of Stockholm Syndrome (complete with examples) here .

Review books can be great study resources for AP Psych as well. If you're not sure which one to get, take a look at this list of the best AP Psychology books .

What will a high score on an AP test really mean for you in college? Find out how AP classes can lead to college credits .

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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2024 AP Psychology Exam Guide

9 min read • august 18, 2023

Attend a live cram event

Review all units live with expert teachers & students

Your Guide to the 2024 AP Psychology Exam

We know that studying for your AP exams can be stressful, but Fiveable has your back! We created a study plan to help you crush your AP Psychology exam. This guide will continue to update with information about the 2024 exams, as well as helpful resources to help you do your best on test day.  Unlock Cram Mode  for access to our cram events—students who have successfully passed their AP exams will answer your questions and guide your last-minute studying LIVE! And don't miss out on unlimited access to our database of thousands of practice questions. FYI, something cool is coming your way Fall 2023! 👀

Format of the 2024 AP Psychology Exam

This year, all AP exams will cover all units and essay types. The 2024 exam format will be:

Section 1: Multiple Choice

You will have 70 minutes to answer 100 questions. 

This section counts as 66.7% of your total exam score.

Section II: Free Response

You will have 50 minutes to answer two FRQs.

This section counts as the remaining 33.3% of your total exam score.

When is the 2024 AP Psychology Exam and How Do I Take It?

How should i prepare for the exam.

First, download the AP Psychology Cheatsheet PDF - a single sheet that covers everything you need to know at a high level. Take note of your strengths and weaknesses! 

We've put together the study plan found below to help you study between now and May. This will cover all of the units and essay types to prepare you for your exam. Pay special attention to the units that you need the most improvement in.

Study, practice, and review for test day with other students during our live cram sessions via  Cram Mode . Cram live streams will teach, review, and practice important topics from AP courses, college admission tests, and college admission topics. These streams are hosted by experienced students who know what you need to succeed.

Pre-Work: Set Up Your Study Environment

Before you begin studying, take some time to get organized.

🖥 Create a study space.

Make sure you have a designated place at home to study. Somewhere you can keep all of your materials, where you can focus on learning, and where you are comfortable. Spend some time prepping the space with everything you need and you can even let others in the family know that this is your study space. 

📚 Organize your study materials.

Get your notebook, textbook, prep books, or whatever other physical materials you have. Also, create a space for you to keep track of review. Start a new section in your notebook to take notes or start a Google Doc to keep track of your notes. Get yourself set up!

📅 Plan designated times for studying.

The hardest part about studying from home is sticking to a routine. Decide on one hour every day that you can dedicate to studying. This can be any time of the day, whatever works best for you. Set a timer on your phone for that time and really try to stick to it. The routine will help you stay on track.

🏆 Decide on an accountability plan.

How will you hold yourself accountable to this study plan? You may or may not have a teacher or rules set up to help you stay on track, so you need to set some for yourself. First, set your goal. This could be studying for x number of hours or getting through a unit. Then, create a reward for yourself. If you reach your goal, then x. This will help stay focused!

AP Psych 2024 Study plan

🔎unit 1: scientific foundations of psychology.

According to the College Board, Unit 1 is about the basis of psychological theory as the study of human and animal behavior and mental processes and how psychologists design and conduct research. 

Topics that are included in this unit are:

Major historical figures in psychology

Theoretical approaches to describing the behavior

Branches of psychology

A variety of research methods used by psychologists

The application of research design and statistical analysis in psychology

Ethical guidelines

Definitely check these out:

📚 Read these study guides:

Unit 1 Overview

Introducing Psychology: The Historical Progression of Psychology

Research Methods in Psychology

The Experimental Method  

Selecting a Research Method

Statistical Analysis in Psychology  

Ethical Guidelines in Psychology

If you have more time or want to dig deeper:

💻 Learn about the best resources so you can start studying early:

Best Resources for AP Psych

🧠Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior

Unit 2 of the AP Psychology exam covers behaviors and mental processes from a biological perspective and the effects of the interaction between human biology and our environment. This has to do with the large nature vs nurture debate! 

The interaction of inherited traits, environment, and evolution in shaping behavior

Structures and functions of biological systems, including the endocrine system and nervous system

Brain function, neural firing, and the influence of medication

The study of the brain and research techniques for studying its structure and function

States of consciousness, including sleeping and dreaming

Addiction and drug dependence

Unit 2 Overview  

Interaction of Heredity and Environment  

The Endocrine System

Overview of the Nervous System and the Neuron

Neural Firing

Influence of Drugs on Neural Firing

Tools for Examining Brain Structure and Function

The Adaptable Brain: Neural Fluidity  

Sleep and Dreaming

💻 Here are the best AP Psych Quizlet Decks!

Best AP Psych Quizlet Decks by Unit

👀Unit 3: Sensation and Perception

Unit three is all about how we perceive and process our environment on a daily basis through our senses. You will learn all about how we convert those observations into perceptions that influence how we think and behave.

Basic principles of how humans experience and process stimuli

The role of experience and culture in perception

The mechanisms of the 5 senses and sensory disorders

Unit 3 Overview  

Principles of Sensation

Principles of Perception

Visual Anatomy

Visual Perception

Auditory Sensation and Perception

Chemical Senses

Body Senses

💻 Here are some AP Psych Self-Studying and Homeschooling tips to check out:

AP Psychology Self-Study and Homeschool

📚Unit 4: Learning

Unit 4 of AP Psych is all about the field of psychology that studies how humans and other animals learn as well as how learning changes over a lifetime. You will learn all about classical and operant conditioning and how incentives affect our learning! You’ll probably even learn a thing or two that could help you adjust your studying habits!

Influential researchers and theories of learning

Results of famous learning experiments

Types of learning

Types of conditioning and their effects

Social and cognitive factors in learning

Unit 4 Overview  

Introduction to Learning

Classical Conditioning  

Operant Conditioning  

Social and Cognitive Factors in Learning

🤔Unit 5: Cognitive Psychology

According to the College Board, in this unit, you will examine the complex nature of how memory, intelligence, and other mental processes impact human behavior.

The cognitive and physiological processes that make up memory

Forgetting and typical memory errors

The biological basis of short- and long-term memory

Creative thinking and problem-solving strategies

Biases and errors in thinking

Defining and measuring intelligence

The processes of learning and using language

Unit 5 Overview

Introduction to Memory  

Retrieving  

Forgetting and Memory Distortion  

Biological Bases of Memory  

Introduction to Thinking and Problem Solving  

Biases and Errors in Thinking  

Introduction to Intelligence  

Psychometric Principles and Intelligence Testing  

Components of Language and Language Acquisition

💻 Here are some steps to succeed on the AP Psych Multiple Choice Questions!

Psychology Multiple Choice Questions

👶Unit 6: Developmental Psychology

This unit is all about developmental psychology, which studies how physical and social changes over humans’ lifespans can influence behavior and mental processes. You will learn about several theories in this unit regarding our development in childhood, as teenagers, and as adults.

Physical and social development in childhood

Theories of cognitive development in childhood

Adolescent development and challenges

Adulthood and aging

Theories of moral development

Gender and sexual orientation

Unit 6 Overview  

The Lifespan and Physical Development in Childhood  

Social Development in Childhood  

Cognitive Development in Childhood  

Adolescent Development  

Adulthood and Aging  

Moral Development  

Gender and Sexual Orientation

💻 Here are some tips on how to succeed on the AP Psych FRQ Questions!

Psychology Free Response Questions

🤪Unit 7: Motivation, Emotion, and Personality

According to the College Board, in this unit, you will study personality through the lens of behavior and mental processes and how these processes interact to produce an individual’s personality. You will also dive deep into the different theories of motivation and why we, as humans, do certain things. Additionally, you will study stress and emotion in this unit and several theories regarding them as well.

Topics that are in this unit:

Theories of the motivation behind human and animal behavior

Major theories of emotion

The effects of stress

Conceptions of personality, including behaviorist, social cognitive, humanistic, and trait theories

Research and assessments to measure personality

Unit 7 Overview

  Theories of Motivation

  Specific Topics in Motivation

  Theories of Emotion

  Stress and Coping  

Introduction to Personality  

Psychoanalytic Theories of Personality  

Behaviorism and Social Cognitive Theories of Personality

  Humanistic Theories of Personality  

Trait Theories of Personality  

Measuring Personality

💻 Here are some AP Psych note taking tips!

Reading and Note Taking Skills

🤪Unit 8: Clinical Psychology

Unit 8 is all about how psychologists evaluate, study, and treat a range of psychological disorders.

Standards for diagnosing and approaches to explaining psychological disorders

Neurodevelopmental and schizophrenic spectrum disorders

Bipolar, depressive, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders

Dissociative, somatic, and trauma- and stress-related disorders

Substance abuse, eating disorders, personality disorders, and related conditions

Historical developments in psychological treatment

Modern treatment options and methods

Unit 8 Overview  

Introduction to Psychological Disorders  

Psychological Perspectives and Etiology of Disorders  

Neurodevelopmental and Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders  

Bipolar, Depressive, Anxiety, and Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders  

Trauma- and Stressor Related, Dissociative, and Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders  

Feeding and Eating, Substance and Addictive, and Personality Disorders  

Introduction to Treatment of Psychological Disorders  

Psychological Perspectives and Treatment of Disorders  

Treatment of Disorders from the Biological Perspective  

Evaluating Strengths, Weaknesses, and Empirical Support for Treatment of Disorders

💻 Here are some common misconceptions in psychology that are good to review for May!

Common Misconceptions in Psychology 

👫Unit 9: Social Psychology

Congrats, you made it to the final AP Psychology unit! In this last unit, you’ll study how humans interact in groups and social situations, as well as how others can affect an individual’s behavior and mental processes. You will probably learn a lot of the psychology behind some historical events in this unit too.

Topics that are in this unit include:

How social and cultural categories like gender and race can impact self-concept and behavior

The factors that lead people to form and change attitudes

Group dynamics, including conformity, compliance, and obedience to authority

Types of behavior caused by the presence of others

Bias, prejudice, and discrimination

Altruism and aggression

The variables that contribute to attraction

Unit 9 Overview  

Attribution Theory and Person Perception  

Attitude Formation and Attitude Change  

Conformity, Compliance, and Obedience  

Group Influences on Behavior and Mental Processes  

Bias, Prejudice, and Discrimination  

Altruism and Aggression  

Interpersonal Attraction

💻 Here are some time management and study tips! Time Management and Study Skills

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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)?

Balancing challenging coursework like AP classes, time-consuming extracurricular activities, and social obligations is stressful—don’t let college admissions stress you out even more! CollegeVine’s free chancing engine takes the mystery out of admissions, letting you know your odds of acceptance at over 500 schools, and giving you advice to improve your profile. Sign up for your CollegeVine account today to get a boost on your college journey!

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

2020 AP Exam Schedule

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By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., guide to the ap psychology exam.

Interested in the scientific study of behavior and mental processes? The AP ® Psychology Exam is a college-level exam administered every year in May upon completion of an Advanced Placement Psychology course taken at your high school. If you score high enough, your  AP score  could earn you  college credit !

Check out our AP Psychology Guide for the essential info you need about the exam:

• Exam Overview

Sections & Question Types

• How to Prepare

What's on the AP Psychology Exam?

The College Board requires your AP teacher to cover certain topics in the AP Psychology course. As you complete your Psych review, make sure you are familiar with the following topics:

• Scientific Foundations of Psychology: Introducing Psychology; Research Methods in Psychology; Defining Psychological Science: The Experimental Method; Selecting a Research Method; Statistical Analysis in Psychology; Ethical Guidelines in Psychology
• Biological Bases of Behavior: Interaction of Hereditary and Environment; The Endocrine System; Overview of the Nervous System and the Neuron; Neural Firing; Influence of Drugs on Neural Firing; The Brain; Tools for Examining Brain Structure and Function; The Adaptable Brain; Sleep and Dreaming
• Sensation and Perception: Principles of Sensation; Principles of Perception; Visual Anatomy; Visual Perception; Auditory Sensation and Perception; Chemical Senses; Body Sense
• Learning: Introduction to Learning; Classical Conditioning; Operant Conditioning; Social and Cognitive Factors in Learning
• Cognitive Psychology: Introduction to Memory; Encoding; Storing; Retrieving; Forgetting and Memory Distortion; Biological Bases of Memory; Introduction to Thinking and Problem Solving; Biases and Errors in Thinking; Introduction to Intelligence; Psychometric Principles and Intelligence Testing; Components of Language and Language Acquisition
• Developmental Psychology: The Lifespan and Physical Development in Childhood; Social Development in Childhood; Cognitive Development in Childhood; Adolescent Development; Adulthood and Aging; Moral Development; Gender and Sexual Orientation
• Motivation, Emotion, and Personality: Theories of Motivation; Specific Topics of Motivation; Theories of Emotion; Stress and Coping; Introduction to Personality; Psychoanalytic Theories of Personality; Behaviorism and Social Cognitive Theories of Personality; Humanistic Theories of Personality; Trait Theories of Personality; Measuring Personality
• Clinical Psychology: Introduction to Psychological Disorders; Psychological Perspectives and Etiology of Disorders; Neurodevelopmental and Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders; Bipolar, Depressive, Anxiety, and Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders; Trauma- and Stressor- Related, Dissociative, and Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders; Feeding and Eating, Substance and Addictive, and Personality Disorders; Introduction to Treatment of Psychological Disorders; Psychological Perspectives and Treatment of Disorders; Treatment of Disorders from the Biological Perspective; Evaluating Strengths, Weaknesses, and Empirical Support for Treatments of Disorders
• Social Psychology: Attribution Theory and Person Perception; Attitude Formation and Attitude Change; Conformity, Compliance, and Obedience; Group Influences on Behavior and Mental Processes; Bias, Prejudice, and Discrimination; Altruism and Aggression; Interpersonal Attraction

Read More: Review for the exam with our AP Psychology Crash Courses

The AP Psych exam is 2 hours long and has two sections: a multiple-choice section and a a free-response section. 

Multiple-Choice Questions

The AP Psychology multiple-choice questions test the following skills:

• Concept Understanding
• Data Analysis
• Scientific Investigation

Free-Response Questions

The AP Psych FRQs consists of two questions:

• Question 1 is about Concept Application, assessing a student’s ability to explain and apply theories and perspectives in authentic contexts
• Question 2 is about Research Design, assessing a student’s ability to analyze psychological research studies that include quantitative data.

For a comprehensive content review, check out our book,  AP Psychology Premium Prep

What’s a good AP Psychology Score?

AP scores are reported from 1 to 5. Colleges are generally looking for a 4 or 5 on the AP Psychology exam, but some may grant credit for a 3. Here’s how students scored on the May 2020 test:

Source: College Board

How can I prepare?

AP classes are great, but for many students they’re not enough! For a thorough review of AP Psychology content and strategy, pick the  AP prep option  that works best for your goals and learning style. 

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AP Psychology Practice Exams

We have links to all of the best online AP Psychology practice exams. There are plenty of challenging tests to choose from, with hundreds of free practice questions. Pick an option from the list below to start your test prep right now!

AP Psychology Practice Tests

2012 official practice exam, 1999 released exam, albert ap psychology questions, intro to psychology practice tests, 1994 released exam.

AP Psychology | Practice Exams | Free Response | Notes | Flashcards |  Study Guides

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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Free Resources

AP Psychology Unit 1 Notes: Scientific Foundations

February 12, 2024.

Get ready for the AP Psychology exam with our free AP Psychology study notes. We've compiled concise unit summaries and key terms and people to jumpstart your AP test prep. These AP Psychology study notes should be used to supplement what you’re learning in your AP Psych class. More study strategies and expert tips can be found in our latest AP Psychology Test Prep Book .

[ READ NEXT: AP Psychology Unit 2 Notes: Biological Bases of Behavior   ]

AP Psychology: Unit 1 Summary

This first unit focuses on the historical origins of the science of psychology, current psychological perspectives, and the research methods psychologists use to gather data about human thinking and behavior. 

History of Psychology

One way to think about the history of psychology is to organize the various theorists and theories into “waves,” or schools of thought. Each wave is a way of thinking about human thought and behavior that dominated the field for a certain period of time until a new way of looking at psychology started to dominate the field. There are five ways: Introspection, Gestalt Psychology, Psychoanalysis, Behaviorism, and Multiple Perspectives.

Different contemporary psychologists look at human thought and behavior from different perspectives. Contemporary perspectives can be placed into eight broad categories: Humanistic, Psychoanalytic, Biopsychology (or Neuroscience), Evolutionary (or Darwinian), Behavioral, Cognitive, Social-Cultural (or Sociocultural), and Biopsychosocial.

Research and Methodology

Psychology is a science, and it is therefore based on research. Though people are often guided effectively by their common intuition, sometimes it leads us astray. People have the tendency upon hearing about research findings (and many other things) to think that they knew it all along; this tendency is called hindsight bias. After an event occurs, it is relatively easy to explain why it happened. The goal of scientific research, however, is to predict what will happen in advance.

An understanding of research methods is fundamental to psychology. Because of that, you are more likely to see a free-response (or essay) question on this topic than on any other. Sometimes psychologists conduct research in order to solve practical problems. For instance, psychologists might compare two different methods of teaching children to read in order to determine which method is better or they could design and test the efficacy of a program to help people quit smoking. This type of research is known as applied research because it has clear, practical applications. Other psychologists conduct basic research. Basic research explores questions that are of interest to psychologists but are not intended to have immediate, real-world applications. Examples of basic research would include studying how people form their attitudes about others and how people in different cultures define intelligence.

Get ahead of the AP game! Our flexible, expert-led AP Psychology Review Course will help you build up your score by breaking down the exam.

Ap psychology: unit 1 key terms & people.

Below, we describe some of the Unit 1 key terms and people you should review ahead of the AP Psychology exam.

• Introspection: The examination of one’s own mental and emotional processes.
• Structuralism: The idea that the mind operates by combining subjective emotions and objective sensations, a theory developed by Wilhelm Wundt.
• Gestalt Psychology: Gestalt psychology tried to examine a person’s total experience because the way we experience the world is more than just an accumulation of various perceptual experiences. Gestalt theorists demonstrated that the whole experience is often more than just the sum of the parts of the experience.
• Sigmund Freud: Freud revolutionized psychology with his psychoanalytic theory. While treating patients for various psychosomatic complaints, Freud believed he discovered the unconscious mind—a part of our mind over which we do not have conscious control that determines, in part, how we think and behave
• Repression: Freud believed that this hidden part of ourselves builds up over the years through repression – the pushing down into the unconscious events and feelings that cause so much anxiety and tension that our conscious mind cannot deal with them.
• Behaviorism: Behaviorists maintain that psychologists should look at only behavior and causes of behavior – stimuli (environmental events) and responses (physical reactions) – and not concern themselves with describing elements of consciousness.
• B.F. Skinner: Another behaviorist, B. F. Skinner expanded the basic ideas of behaviorism to include the idea of reinforcement – environmental stimuli that either encourage or discourage certain responses.
• Eclectic: Currently, there is no one way of thinking about human thought and behavior that all or even most psychologists share. Many psychologists describe themselves as eclectic – drawing from multiple perspectives.
• Humanist Perspective: Humanists stressed individual choice and free will. They believe that we choose most of our behaviors and these choices are guided by physiological, emotional, or spiritual needs.
• Psychoanalytic Perspective: Psychologists using this perspective believe that the unconscious mind – a part of our mind that we do not have conscious control over or access to – controls much of our thought and action. Psychoanalysts would look for impulses or memories pushed into the unconscious mind through repression. This perspective thinks that to understand human thought and behavior, we must examine our unconscious mind through dream analysis, word association, and other psychoanalytic therapy techniques.
• Biopsychology (or Neuroscience) Perspective: Biopsychologists explain human thought and behavior strictly in terms of biological processes. Human cognition and reactions might be caused by effects of our genes, hormones, and neurotransmitters in the brain or by a combination of all three.
• Evolutionary (or Darwinian) Perspective: Evolutionary psychologists (also sometimes called sociobiologists) examine human thoughts and actions in terms of natural selection. Some psychological traits might be advantageous for survival, and these traits would be passed down from the parents to the next generation.
• Behavioral Perspective: Behaviorists explain human thought and behavior in terms of conditioning. Behaviorists look strictly at observable behaviors and human and animal responses to different kinds of stimuli.
• Cognitive Perspective: Cognitive psychologists examine human thought and behavior in terms of how we interpret, process, and remember environmental events. In this perspective, the rules that we use to view the world are important to understanding why we think and behave the way we do.
• Social-Cultural (or Sociocultural) Perspective: Social-cultural psychologists look at how our thoughts and behaviors vary between cultures. They emphasize the influence culture has on the way we think and act. A social-cultural psychologist might explain a person’s tendency to be extroverted by examining his or her culture’s rules about social interaction.
• Biopsychosocial Perspective: This modern perspective acknowledges that human thinking and behavior results from combinations of biological (“bio”), psychological (“psycho”), and social (“social”) factors. Psychologists who emphasize the biopsychosocial perspective view other perspectives as too focused on specific influences on thinking and behavior (sometimes called “being reductionistic”).
• Hindsight bias: People have the tendency upon hearing about research findings (and many other things) to think that they knew it all along; this tendency is called hindsight bias.
• Hypothesis: A hypothesis expresses a relationship between two variables. Variables, by definition, are things that can vary among the participants in the research.
• Theory: A theory aims to explain some phenomenon and allows researchers to generate testable hypotheses with the hope of collecting data that support the theory.
• Valid: Good research is both valid and reliable. Research is valid when it measures what the researcher set out to measure; it is accurate.
• Reliable: Research is reliable when it can be replicated; it is consistent. If the researcher conducted the same research in the same way, the researcher would get similar results.
• Sampling: The individuals on which the research will be conducted are called participants (or subjects), and the process by which participants are selected is called sampling.
• Experiment: Psychologists’ preferred method of research is the experiment because only through a carefully controlled experiment can one show a causal relationship. An experiment allows the researcher to manipulate the independent variable and control for confounding variables.
• Correlation: A correlation expresses a relationship between two variables without ascribing cause. Correlations can be either positive or negative. A positive correlation between two things means that the presence of one thing predicts the presence of the other. A negative correlation means that the presence of one thing predicts the absence of the other.
• Naturalistic observation: Sometimes researchers opt to observe their participants in their natural habitats without interacting with them at all. Such unobtrusive observation is called naturalistic observation. The goal of naturalistic observation is to get a realistic and rich picture of the participants’ behavior. To that end, control is sacrificed.
• Case study method: The case study method is used to get a full, detailed picture of one participant or a small group of participants. While case studies allow researchers to get the richest possible picture of what they are studying, the focus on a single individual or small group means that the findings cannot be generalized to a larger population.
• Descriptive statistics: Descriptive statistics, as the name suggests, simply describe a set of data. For instance, if you were interested in researching what kinds of pets your schoolmates have, you might summarize that data by creating a frequency distribution that would tell you how many students had dogs, cats, zebras, and so on.
• Correlation: A correlation measures the relationship between two variables. Correlations can be either positive or negative.
• Inferential statistics: Whereas descriptive statistics provide a way to summarize information about the sample studied, the purpose of inferential statistics is to determine whether or not findings can be applied to the larger population from which the sample was selected.

Next, test your AP Psychology Unit 1 knowledge using our free Key Terms Worksheets!

AP Biology Resources

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AP Psychology Resources

• What’s Tested on the AP Psychology Exam?
• Top 5 Study Tips for the AP Psychology Exam
• AP Psychology Key Terms
• Top AP Psychology Exam Multiple-Choice Question Tips
• Top AP Psychology Exam Free Response Questions Tips
• AP Psychology Sample Free Response Question

AP English Language and Composition Resources

• What’s Tested on the AP English Language and Composition Exam?
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• Top Reading Techniques for the AP English Language and Composition Exam
• How to Answer the AP English Language and Composition Essay Questions 
• AP English Language and Composition Exam Sample Essay Questions
• AP English Language and Composition Exam Multiple-Choice Questions

AP Human Geography Resources

• What’s Tested On the AP Human Geography Exam?
• AP Human Geography FAQs
• AP Human Geography Question Types and Strategies
• Top 5 Study Tips for the AP Human Geography Exam

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So Your High School Doesn’t Offer APs—Are AP Exams Still Important For College Admissions?

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Advanced Placement courses are offered at thousands of high schools across the U.S.— approximately 35% of public high school graduates in the Class of 2023 took at least one AP exam, and approximately 2.8 million students sat for AP exams in 2023. However, a large number of schools do not offer AP courses. In many cases, this is due to a lack of resources—though strides have been made to increase access to AP courses in underprivileged schools, a gap in access persists along racial and socioeconomic lines. In other cases, schools are ditching the AP curriculum as a result of their educational philosophy. In 2018, elite private schools in the D.C. area such as Sidwell Friends and Georgetown Prep announced their intention to phase out AP classes, citing their desire for a more independent curriculum and a growing frustration with the AP’s orientation toward testing rather than other metrics for success.

Despite these drawbacks, AP courses and exams remain highly regarded by many colleges and universities, as they offer insight into students’ academic acumen and potential to complete college coursework successfully. As a result, many students without access to AP courses are left wondering whether they should still register, study and sit for AP exams.

First and foremost, students should know that colleges and universities evaluate their applications in the context of their school and the opportunities available to them. This means that if students did not have AP classes available to them at their schools, admissions officers will not expect to see AP courses or AP exam scores included in their applications. As such, these students’ applications will not be disadvantaged in any way by not including AP exams.

That being said, there are some scenarios in which a student may still wish to take an AP exam despite not having taken an AP course. These are the top three reasons that students might consider sitting for one or more AP exams:

1. To Earn College Credit

One of the main reasons students take AP exams is to earn college credit. Many colleges and universities grant credit for high AP exam scores (typically for 4s or 5s). By earning credit through AP exams, you may be able to fulfill prerequisites, skip introductory courses, or accelerate your progress toward graduation once you enroll in college. However, this is not the case at every school. In order to determine whether the time and effort you will put into studying and taking an AP exam will be justified, you should research whether the schools you are considering applying to give college credit for high AP exam scores. You can often find this information on admissions or departmental websites, or by contacting admissions representatives at each respective school. You can also check the College Board website to see if the schools on your list accept AP credits, but note that these policies change frequently, so you should still follow up with the schools for verification. If a handful of the schools on your list do accept high scores for credit, it may be a strategic choice to sit for one or more exam.

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As Ivy League and other top schools reinstate their standardized testing requirements, some schools have announced their intention to allow students to submit test scores from AP examinations in place of ACT or SAT scores. Dartmouth allows students applying from schools outside of the U.S. to satisfy their testing requirement by submitting three AP exam scores. Meanwhile, Yale’s new test-flexible policy also allows students applying domestically to submit AP and IB scores in lieu of other standardized tests. If you are applying internationally or if you have reason to believe that you will achieve a stronger score on AP exams than on the SAT or ACT, you can consider sitting for the exams. Note that not all schools have such flexible testing policies, so you will likely still need to sit for the SAT or the ACT.

3. To Demonstrate Your Academic Abilities

It is important to remember that while they are not the only way to demonstrate their academic capabilities, AP exams are an unbiased and quantifiable way to assess students’ preparedness for college coursework. Students who struggled academically earlier in their high school years or who want to highlight their skills in a specific discipline may benefit from the inclusion of AP scores in their applicant profiles.

Finally, while students who do not have access to AP classes should consider their options and make a strategic decision about taking exams on the basis of their applicant profiles and academic goals, students who have taken AP courses absolutely should take AP exams. Failing to sit for the exams will not only foreclose the possibility of earning college credit, but it will also reflect poorly on your application and raise questions with admissions committees.

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