AP Psychology · Exam guide
AP Psychology FRQ Guide: The Article Analysis and Evidence-Based Questions
Section II of the AP Psychology exam is two free-response questions in 70 minutes, and it counts for one third of your score. Each question is worth 7 points, and both hand you research to read, so the exam tests whether you can use psychology to explain evidence. This guide covers both and links to a detailed guide for each.
The two questions at a glance
| Question | Time | Points | What you do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Article Analysis Question (AAQ) | 25 min, including 10 of reading | 7 | Read a short summary of a study, then answer questions about the method, variables, statistic, ethics and a conclusion. |
| Evidence-Based Question (EBQ) | 45 min, including 15 of reading | 7 | Read three short sources, then write an argument that uses two of them as evidence and ties each to a psychology concept. |
| Total | 70 min | 14 |
How the AAQ is scored
| Row | Points | What earns it |
|---|---|---|
| A: Research method | 1 | Name the method the study used (experiment, correlational study, case study, and so on). |
| B: Operational definition | 1 | State how the researchers actually measured or manipulated the variable. |
| C: Interpreting the statistic | 1 | Say what the statistic means for this study, not just what it is called. |
| D: Ethical guideline | 1 | Name an ethical guideline the researchers applied, based on what the source reports. |
| E: Generalizability | 1 | Say how far the findings apply and why, using something about the sample. |
| F: Argumentation | 2 | Make a claim and support it with evidence from the source and a psychological concept. |
| Total | 7 |
How the EBQ is scored
| Row | Points | What earns it |
|---|---|---|
| A: Defensible claim | 1 | Make a claim that answers the question and can be supported by the sources. |
| B(i): Evidence from a source | 1 | Use specific evidence from one source. |
| B(ii): Explanation with a concept | 2 | Explain how that evidence supports the claim, using a psychology concept. |
| C(i): Evidence from a different source | 1 | Use specific evidence from a second source. |
| C(ii): Explanation with a different concept | 2 | Explain how that evidence supports the claim, using a different concept. |
| Total | 7 |
A 70-minute plan
| Minutes | What to do |
|---|---|
| 0 to 10 | Read the AAQ summary and mark the method, variables, statistic and sample. |
| 10 to 25 | Write the AAQ answers, one labeled part at a time. |
| 25 to 40 | Read the three EBQ sources and mark the strongest evidence in each. |
| 40 to 70 | Plan the claim and the two paragraphs, then write the EBQ. |
Habits for both questions
- Use the study's own details. An answer that could apply to any study earns nothing.
- Name the psychology concept, then say how it explains the evidence.
- Answer every lettered part, in order, and label your answers.
Detailed guides
The Article Analysis Question and the Evidence-Based Question.
Frequently asked questions
How many free-response questions are on AP Psychology?
Two, in 70 minutes: the Article Analysis Question and the Evidence-Based Question. Each is worth 7 points.
How much of the AP Psychology score is free response?
About one third. The multiple-choice section is about two thirds.
Do I need to name specific studies?
Not for these questions, because the sources are provided. You do need to name concepts and apply them to the evidence.
What if I do not know the concept?
Describe what the evidence shows in plain words and connect it to the closest concept you know. A partial attempt is better than a blank.
Where can I find the official scoring rules?
Exam formats change a little from year to year, so check the current course and exam description on the College Board site before test day.
Keep practicing
The AP Psychology course has five Article Analysis prompts and five Evidence-Based prompts, each with the research summaries, a timed writing space that scores against the official rubric, and a 7 out of 7 model response. These free lessons also build the skills the free-response section tests:
- Free lesson 1.2: samples, measurement and ethics
- Free lesson 1.4: correlation, effect size and significance
See the AP Psychology course Free lessons and lesson list
Other free-response guides:
- AP Psychology Article Analysis Question (AAQ) Explained: How to Earn 7 Points
- AP Psychology Evidence-Based Question (EBQ) Explained: How to Earn 7 Points
AP is a registered trademark of the College Board, which is not affiliated with and does not endorse this site. This guide is our own explanation of the question types and scoring. For the official scoring guidelines, see the College Board.