AP Psychology · Exam guide
AP Psychology Multiple-Choice Guide: The Three Question Styles and How to Answer Them
Section I of the AP Psychology exam is 75 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes, about two thirds of your score. That is a little over one minute per question. The questions come in three styles, and each style has its own habit. The examples below are original.
The three styles
| Style | What it gives you | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Concept application | A short scenario about a person or situation. | Match the scenario to the psychological concept it shows. |
| Data analysis | A graph, table or short results summary. | Read the data carefully and pick the conclusion it supports. |
| Scientific investigation | A description of a study. | Identify the method, variable, flaw or ethical issue. |
An example of each
Concept application. A student studies for a test by repeatedly quizzing herself on flashcards instead of rereading her notes. Which concept best explains why this works? Answer: the testing effect, because retrieving information strengthens memory. Rereading does not require retrieval.
Data analysis. A graph shows that as average daily screen time rises across a sample of teenagers, average hours of sleep falls. Which conclusion is best supported? Answer: screen time and sleep are negatively correlated in this sample. The data do not show that screen time causes the loss of sleep.
Scientific investigation. Researchers ask 200 people how often they exercise and also measure their blood pressure, and find that people who exercise more tend to have lower blood pressure. Which method is this? Answer: a correlational study, because the researchers measured two variables without manipulating either.
A routine for every question
- Read the question stem before the answer choices, so you know what is being asked.
- Cover the choices and form your own answer first.
- Eliminate choices that are true facts but do not answer the question.
- Watch for words such as "best", "most likely" and "except".
- Mark hard questions and come back. Leave none blank, because wrong answers do not lose points.
Pacing
| Checkpoint | Where you should be |
|---|---|
| After 30 minutes | About question 25 |
| After 60 minutes | About question 50 |
| After 80 minutes | Finished, with about 10 minutes to review |
Common mistakes
- Choosing an answer that sounds familiar rather than one that fits the scenario.
- Concluding cause and effect from a correlation.
- Missing a word such as "except" in the question.
- Changing an answer without a clear reason.
Frequently asked questions
How many multiple-choice questions are on AP Psychology?
75, in 90 minutes. They count for about two thirds of the exam score.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
No. Answer every question.
What are the three styles of question?
Concept application, data analysis and scientific investigation.
How should I study vocabulary?
Test yourself by retrieving each term and an example rather than rereading, which is the testing effect in action.
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
Every unit in the AP Psychology course ends with a ten-question review that mixes the three multiple-choice styles, with an explanation for each answer choice. 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 FRQ Guide: The Article Analysis and Evidence-Based Questions
- 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 Psychology Research Methods and Ethics Explained: Naming the Method and the Guideline
- AP Psychology Statistics in Context: Interpreting the Mean, Correlation, Effect Size and p-Value
- AP Psychology Evidence-Based Question: Concepts to Pair with Evidence, Unit by Unit
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.