AP Psychology Review

Success on the AP Psychology ExamSuccess on the AP Psychology Exam

Understanding of the AP Psychology TestUnderstanding of the AP Psychology Test

Types of questions possibleTypes of questions possibleHow the questions are arraigned?How the questions are arraigned?How is the test scored?How is the test scored?

Three Areas to ConsiderThree Areas to Consider

General Tips for Test TakingGeneral Tips for Test TakingMultiple Choice SectionMultiple Choice SectionFree Response Free Response

QuestionsQuestions

General Tips for Test TakingGeneral Tips for Test Taking

Multiple Choice Section - 100 questionsMultiple Choice Section - 100 questionsColumn formatColumn formatQuestions taken Questions taken

from every unit. from every unit.Five answerFive answer

Possibilities:Possibilities:

A., B., C., D., E A., B., C., D., E

AP Psychology Exam StructureAP Psychology Exam StructureHistory and Approaches History and Approaches 2-4%2-4%Research MethodsResearch Methods 8-10%8-10%Biological Bases of BehaviorBiological Bases of Behavior 8-10%8-10%Sensation and PerceptionSensation and Perception 6-8%6-8%States of ConsciousnessStates of Consciousness 2-4%2-4%LearningLearning 7-9%7-9%CognitionCognition 8-10%8-10%Motivation and EmotionMotivation and Emotion 6-8%6-8%Developmental PsychologyDevelopmental Psychology 7-9%7-9%PersonalityPersonality 5-7%5-7%Testing and Individual DifferencesTesting and Individual Differences 5-7%5-7%Abnormal PsychologyAbnormal Psychology 7-9%7-9%Treatment of Psychological DisordersTreatment of Psychological Disorders 5-7%5-7%Social PsychologySocial Psychology 8-10%8-10%

Values of combined unitsValues of combined unitsHistory, Approaches and Research MethodsHistory, Approaches and Research Methods 10-14%10-14% 10-14%10-14% Biological Bases of BehaviorBiological Bases of Behavior 8-10%8-10% 14-18%14-18%Sensation and PerceptionSensation and Perception 6-8%6-8%

States of ConsciousnessStates of Consciousness 2-4%2-4% 2-4%2-4%

LearningLearning 7-9%7-9% 15-19%15-19%CognitionCognition 8-10%8-10%

Motivation and EmotionMotivation and Emotion 6-8%6-8% 6-8%6-8%

Developmental PsychologyDevelopmental Psychology 7-9% 7-9% 7-9% 7-9%

PersonalityPersonality 5-7%5-7% 10-14%10-14%Testing and Individual DifferencesTesting and Individual Differences 5-7%5-7%

Abnormal PsychologyAbnormal Psychology 7-9%7-9%Treatment of Psychological DisordersTreatment of Psychological Disorders 5-7%5-7% 20-26%20-26%Social PsychologySocial Psychology 8-10% 8-10%

Great, Good News!

You can miss a lot of questionsand still get a 5 on the APExam.

Example of the Good News:

If you get a 70%, which is the same as getting 105 points out of a150… you get a 5 on the test!

Another good news example

If you a 60%, which is the same asearning 90 points out of apossible 150…you’ll get a four on the AP exam

More Good News!

Every question is only worth 1point

Even the extremely hard ones are only worth one point, just like the extremely easy ones.

And the news just keepsgetting better…There is no penalty for a wrongguess !

This means you will fill in every bubble on youranswer sheet.

The law of averages is on your side here, and you are going to guess onevery question you don’t know.

Guessing Strategy

In order to avoid wasting valuabletime during the test, follow an exact procedure for guessing.

Mathematicians have analyzed loads of tests and determined that itdoes not matter whether or not you follow a pattern when guessing on a multiple choice test. So… in order to save time, you are always going to guess option (A) when making a guess.

Guessing Procedure

When you have decided to guess…

1. Circle the item number in your booklet so you can come back to it later if you have time.

2. Fill in the (A) bubble on your answer sheet.

Bring a watch to the test!Bring a watch to the test!

You won’t be able to use your phoneYou won’t be able to use your phone..

General Tips for Test TakingGeneral Tips for Test TakingDo not waste your time Do not waste your time

reading the directionsreading the directions. Instead. Instead

know them in advance. Hereknow them in advance. Here

they are for the multiple choice:they are for the multiple choice:““Each of the questions or Each of the questions or

incomplete statements below is incomplete statements below is followed by five suggested answers or followed by five suggested answers or completions. Select the one that is best in completions. Select the one that is best in each case and then fill in the corresponding each case and then fill in the corresponding oval on the answer sheet.”oval on the answer sheet.”

There is an order of difficulty for There is an order of difficulty for the multiple choice sectionthe multiple choice section

Questions 1 - 33

Go slow on the things you know

As the question number increases, so does the difficulty

Questions 34 - 66

Start making educated guesses onquestions that are difficult for you.

The Difficult Questions are at the End.

Questions 66 – 100

Be quick to skip these questions or make a guess.

Tips for Multiple Choice QuestionsTips for Multiple Choice Questions

Anticipate the answerAnticipate the answer

As you read the stem of each multiple choice As you read the stem of each multiple choice question, anticipate the answer before looking question, anticipate the answer before looking at the options. If the answer you anticipated is at the options. If the answer you anticipated is among the options, it is likely to be the correct among the options, it is likely to be the correct one.one.


Underline key terms and ideas:Underline key terms and ideas:When Shelly first had cable television service installed, PBS When Shelly first had cable television service installed, PBS

was on channel 9. Her cable company then switched PBS was on channel 9. Her cable company then switched PBS to channel 16. Shelly now has to channel 16. Shelly now has trouble rememberingtrouble remembering

that PBS is on channel 16 andthat PBS is on channel 16 and not on channel 9.not on channel 9. This This memory problem represents ?memory problem represents ?

(AP Psychology Exam 2004 #86)

Tips for Multiple Choice QuestionsTips for Multiple Choice QuestionsAnticipate the answer, and underline key terms:Anticipate the answer, and underline key terms:When Shelly first had cable television service installed, Public When Shelly first had cable television service installed, Public

Broadcasting (PBS) was on channel 9. Her cable company then Broadcasting (PBS) was on channel 9. Her cable company then switched PBS to channel 16. Shelly now has trouble switched PBS to channel 16. Shelly now has trouble remembering that PBS is on channel 16 and not on channel 9. remembering that PBS is on channel 16 and not on channel 9. This memory problem representsThis memory problem represents

(A)(A) memory decaymemory decay(B)(B) retrograde amnesiaretrograde amnesia(C)(C) reconstruction errorsreconstruction errors(D)(D) retroactive interferenceretroactive interference(E)(E) proactive interferenceproactive interference

(AP Psychology Exam 2004 #86)


Stick to the subject matterStick to the subject matter

Watch for answers that have nothing to do with Watch for answers that have nothing to do with the subject matter of the course or have nothing the subject matter of the course or have nothing to do with the subject matter of the particular to do with the subject matter of the particular unit the question is testing.unit the question is testing.


Keep your eye out Keep your eye out for help withinfor help within

other questions on other questions on the test.the test.


Watch for QualifiersWatch for Qualifiers

Qualifiers:Qualifiers: often, sometimes, perhaps, may, often, sometimes, perhaps, may, generally, some, seldom, usually, ordinarily, etc. generally, some, seldom, usually, ordinarily, etc.

Options that use qualifiers tend to be Options that use qualifiers tend to be correct.correct.

(He’s watching for(He’s watching for

Qualifiers ) Qualifiers )

100% words: never, none, no, every, always, all, only, entirely, necessarily, completely, totally, etc.

Options that represent broad, sweeping are almost always wrong.

Watch out for extreme, all or nothing language:

Be on the lookout for the following:Be on the lookout for the following:

An incorrect option that is highly An incorrect option that is highly implausibleimplausible..

For example:For example:The part of the brain responsible for higher order The part of the brain responsible for higher order

thinking is the:thinking is the:A. cerebrumA. cerebrumB. pupilB. pupilC. repressionC. repressionD. pituitary glandD. pituitary glandE. maniaE. mania

Be on the lookout for:Be on the lookout for:

Sometimes the correct option is more detailed,Sometimes the correct option is more detailed,

or more specific than the other options.or more specific than the other options.

Sometimes the correct option is longer than all Sometimes the correct option is longer than all the other options.the other options.

Common Flaws in Multiple Choice ItemsCommon Flaws in Multiple Choice Items

There is a resemblance between the stem and There is a resemblance between the stem and correct option but not the incorrect options.correct option but not the incorrect options.

Skinner and the other Skinner and the other behaviorists behaviorists would promote would promote which of the following therapies?which of the following therapies?

A. psychoanalysisA. psychoanalysis

B. humanistic therapyB. humanistic therapy

C. behavioral therapyC. behavioral therapy

D. Gestalt therapyD. Gestalt therapy

E. cognitive therapyE. cognitive therapy

Tips for Multiple Choice QuestionsTips for Multiple Choice QuestionsEliminate implausible answersEliminate implausible answers

Learn how to quickly eliminate Learn how to quickly eliminate options that are highly options that are highly implausible. Many questions implausible. Many questions have only two plausible have only two plausible options, accompanied by options, accompanied by "throwaway" options for "throwaway" options for filler. Eliminate them andfiller. Eliminate them and

your choice is easier.your choice is easier.

Eliminate Implausible AnswersEliminate Implausible Answers

Example:Example: Who of the following teaches APWho of the following teaches AP

Psychology at Clayton High School?Psychology at Clayton High School?

(A)(A) The smartest person in the world.The smartest person in the world.

(B)(B) Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln

(C)(C) MosesMoses

(D)(D) Homer SimpsonHomer Simpson

(E)(E) BuddhaBuddha

Free Response SectionFree Response SectionTest StructureTest Structure 2 Free Response (Essay) Questions2 Free Response (Essay) Questions Required to do bothRequired to do both

Free Response SectionFree Response SectionTime StructureTime Structure 50 minutes to complete both essays50 minutes to complete both essays Can break up your time on the essays Can break up your time on the essays

any way you wantany way you want Watch your time. Don’t get caught Watch your time. Don’t get caught

short on essay #2short on essay #2

Free Response SectionFree Response SectionScoringScoring Essays are 1/3 of the overall scoreEssays are 1/3 of the overall score Each essay 1/6 of the overall scoreEach essay 1/6 of the overall score Each essay will have a specific Each essay will have a specific

number of points (6-12)number of points (6-12) Points are then mathematically Points are then mathematically

changed to equal 25 for a perfect essaychanged to equal 25 for a perfect essay

Free Response SectionFree Response SectionStyle of the QuestionsStyle of the Questions One essay tends to be unit basedOne essay tends to be unit based One essay tends to go across unitsOne essay tends to go across units Questions tend to be relatively Questions tend to be relatively

specificspecific Application questions with listing of Application questions with listing of

termsterms

Free Response Question 2009 #1Free Response Question 2009 #11. Dimitri and Linda are trying to learn a new routine to 1. Dimitri and Linda are trying to learn a new routine to

compete successfully in a dance competition. Give an compete successfully in a dance competition. Give an example of how each of the following could affect their example of how each of the following could affect their performance. Definitions without application do not performance. Definitions without application do not score.score.

• • Extrinsic motivationExtrinsic motivation

• • PunishmentPunishment

• • Proactive interferenceProactive interference

• • EndorphinsEndorphins

• • Vestibular systemVestibular system

• • Divergent thinkingDivergent thinking

• • IntroversionIntroversion

7 points

Free Response Question 2009 #2Free Response Question 2009 #22. James is in a driver’s education course preparing to take his driving 2. James is in a driver’s education course preparing to take his driving

test. The course includes both book work and driving on the road to test. The course includes both book work and driving on the road to prepare students for a written test and a road test.prepare students for a written test and a road test.(a) Describe how each of the following might influence his ability to (a) Describe how each of the following might influence his ability to drive a car during the road test. Definitions without application do drive a car during the road test. Definitions without application do not score.not score.

• • Cognitive mapCognitive map• • CerebellumCerebellum• • Observational learningObservational learning• • Human factorsHuman factors

(b) Describe how each of the following are related to the results of (b) Describe how each of the following are related to the results of the written test. Definitions without application do not score.the written test. Definitions without application do not score.

• • Reticular formationReticular formation• • Predictive validityPredictive validity• • Semantic memorySemantic memory

7 points

Free Response SectionFree Response SectionScoringScoring Points are given for correct responsesPoints are given for correct responses Points are not removed unless you Points are not removed unless you

contradict yourselfcontradict yourselfPoints are not removed for Handwriting/ Points are not removed for Handwriting/

Spelling/Grammar issuesSpelling/Grammar issues

Free Response SectionFree Response SectionHelpful Hints – Before WritingHelpful Hints – Before Writing

Read both essaysRead both essaysThink through your answer before you Think through your answer before you

start writing. Prewrite!!!start writing. Prewrite!!!Try to determine the point values for the Try to determine the point values for the

questionquestionWrite an outline/notes on the essay Write an outline/notes on the essay

question sheetquestion sheet

If you are not sure take If you are not sure take aa logical guess. logical guess.

Free Response SectionFree Response SectionWriting the EssaysWriting the EssaysFormat of the AnswerFormat of the Answer

Write your answers in essay form.Write your answers in essay form.DO NOT outline, write bullets, etc.DO NOT outline, write bullets, etc.Follow the format of the the question.Follow the format of the the question.Use paragraphs to separate the different Use paragraphs to separate the different

sectionssectionsUnderline key points and conceptsUnderline key points and conceptsDefine and give examplesDefine and give examples

Free Response SectionFree Response SectionWriting the EssaysWriting the EssaysDo not worry if you cannot answer all of Do not worry if you cannot answer all of

the question.the question.Try to avoid compound or complex Try to avoid compound or complex

sentences. Style does not get you points.sentences. Style does not get you points.Avoid circular definitions.Avoid circular definitions.Be complete but to the point.Be complete but to the point.DO NOT restate the question.DO NOT restate the question.

Free Response SectionFree Response SectionWriting the EssaysWriting the EssaysIntroductions and conclusions are NOT Introductions and conclusions are NOT

needed.needed.DO NOT concept bomb the answer.DO NOT concept bomb the answer.Answer the question, don’t try to be cute.Answer the question, don’t try to be cute.Define any concepts in the question.Define any concepts in the question.

AP Psychology Review

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