The purpose of the AP course in Psychology is to introduce the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Included is a consideration of the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Students also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.
The AP Psychology exam covers the following topics:
- History of Psychology & Approaches
- Research Methods
- Biological Bases of Behavior
- Sensation and Perception
- States of Consciousness
- Learning
- Cognition
- Motivation and Emotion
- Developmental Psychology
- Personality
- Testing and Individual Differences
- Abnormal Psychology
- Treatment of Psychological Disorders
- Social Psychology
The AP Psychology test is given by The College Board which is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity.
Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of over 6,000 of the world’s leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education.
Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools.
This exam is available to all but is especially relevant to juniors and senior high school students.
Schedule a meeting with your school counselor or a teacher to learn about the process for taking this exam including deadlines for signing up for courses at your school.
There are many reasons to take AP courses but many students choose the AP Psychology exam to set themselves apart in college admission and to earn the college credit and placement that come with a successful exam score.
The AP Psychology exam is approximately two hours long and has two parts - multiple choice and free response. The multiple choice section is worth two-thirds and the free response section is worth one-third of the final exam grade.
The multiple choice section contains 100 questions and must be completed in 1 hour and 10 minutes while the free response section has 2 essay questions that must be completed in 50 minutes.