So, I'm seriously considering taking AP Psychology next year, but I've heard mixed reviews about its difficulty. Can anyone who's taken it give me a realistic overview? Like, how intensive is the coursework and reading compared to other AP classes?
Based on the student feedback I've heard, the difficulty of AP Psychology varies quite a bit depending on the high school and individual teacher. However, overall, students often find it to be one of the less demanding AP classes, especially in comparison to AP courses in math and science subjects.
In terms of workload, AP Psychology typically includes regular reading assignments from a college-level textbook. The reading is critical for understanding key concepts, theories, and research within psychology, but it's often described as more straightforward than the dense literature often found in, say, AP English Literature.
AP Psychology tends to be a memorization-heavy class. There's a lot of terminology and many specific psychological studies to remember. If you enjoy earning knowledge and have decent memorization skills, you might not find these demands too daunting.
On the subject of the AP exam, it's worth noting that in 2024, the College Board reported that about 18% of students received a 5, which is relatively high for AP exams. This suggests that the content is quite manageable for many students who undertake structured study.
Of course, keep in mind that your mileage may vary depending on your own academic strengths, interests, and your school's particular approach to the curriculum.
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