As an upcoming junior, I'm curious to know about the format of the AP Psychology exam, tips on preparing effectively, and the needed resources for a good score. Has anyone recently taken this exam who can give me a heads-up?
The AP Psychology exam is structured into two main sections, each of which contributes 50% to your final score.
The first section is multiple-choice, consisting of 100 questions that you have 70 minutes to complete. These questions assess your understanding of key concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings in Psychology.
The second section is free-response and consists of two questions that you have 50 minutes to complete. The questions may require you to analyze a scenario using concepts from different theoretical frameworks or interpret data from a research study. They give you a sense of the timing and help familiarize you with the types of questions you'll encounter.
Resources for studying range from physical textbooks - like the Myers' Psychology for AP book - to online materials. Many AP students have found the College Board's AP Classroom and Khan Academy to be very helpful overview resources. Also, quizlet sets can be beneficial for memorization, especially for terminology.
Lastly, keeping a regular study schedule is more effective than cramming. It might work best to focus on one to two units per week, depending on your pace, while regularly reviewing material you've already covered. Good luck!
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