Approach to AP Psychology FRQ

Hey all, I'm finding the Free Response Questions (FRQs) for AP Psychology a bit intimidating. What's the best way to dissect these questions and know what exactly they're asking for? Would love some advice!

It's understandable that you're finding the FRQs a bit challenging, they can be quite detailed. Here's a step-by-step approach to tackle them:

1. Read and Understand: Read the question prompt carefully. Identify the core concept(s) that the question is based on. The questions typically cover multiple psychological principles or phenomena.

2. Bullet Points: Break down what the question is asking into bullet points. This can help you visualize the distinct parts of the question and make sure you respond to each aspect accurately.

3. Outline your answer: Before writing your full answer, spend a couple of minutes outlining. Write down the points you want to discuss for each part of the question. This will not only help you ensure you're providing a complete response, but also that you're doing so in an organized fashion.

4. Use Appropriate Vocabulary: In your responses, try to incorporate the appropriate psychological terms and theories. But remember, it's not enough to just include the jargon. You need to demonstrate that you understand these concepts and how they apply to the scenario provided.

5. Be Concise: Don't write long and rambling answers. You'll be graded on the quality and accuracy of your response, not its length. Make sure your answers are to the point.

6. Practice Makes Perfect: Finally, practice writing FRQs often. This will not only help you acclimate to the structure of the questions, but also improve your time management skills. You can find plenty of past exam FRQs with scoring guidelines on the College Board website to practice with.

Remember, the FRQ section of your AP Psychology test requires you to showcase your knowledge about specific psychological phenomena, as well as your ability to apply this understanding to presented scenarios. Good luck!