AP Psychology Exam Prep
Student Textbook Companion Site (not our textbook, but solid resources for studying)
How To Write an FRQ:
How to Write a Free Response for AP Psychology
1. Plan before you answer.
a. Spend about a minute underlining key words in the question, and making a brief outline.
b. Make sure to answer all parts of the question.
2. Answer in complete sentences, not a bulleted format.
a. Do not write an introductory or concluding paragraph.
b. This is a free response, not an essay.
c. Grammar does not count, however, the reader does need to understand what you are saying.
d. Make sure your handwriting is legible!
3. Pretend the person grading your response has no clue what you are talking about.
a. What you write must be clear and provide information that shows you understand the topic the question is requiring you to answer.
4. Define all psychological terms. Even if it does not ask for it.
a. This grounds both you and your reader.
b. Give an extra example when you write a definition. Sometimes this example will score you the point even though your definition is incorrect.
c. Each definition or application should be a part of a separate sentence. DO NOT COMBINE THEM.
d. Underline key terms
5. DEFINITIONS AND APPLICATIONS must be SPECIFIC!
a. No pronouns or generic words.
i. Example of what not to write: “Positive reinforcement is when you give somebody something after they do something and they’re more likely to do that thing in the future.”
b. Use actual real examples of people, animals, behaviors, psych terms, etc.
i. Example: “Positive reinforcement is displayed in a classroom when a teacher gives a student a star sticker for good behavior. The teacher is reinforcing the good behavior by providing a reward, or recognition, that the student will want to receive again.
6. Back up information with facts from the book and studies.
a. If the question asks for your opinion, back up your claim with research and information you have learned
7. Check off each part of the question as you address it.
8. ALL CORRECT ANSWERS SCORE!
9. INCORRECT ANSWERS ARE IGNORED, UNLESS THE ANSWER DIRECTLY CONTRADICTS A CORRECT ANSWER. Ex. – Caffeine is a stimulant that speeds up the metabolism. Caffeine causes someone to gain weight.
10. If you complete the Free Response section of the exam and there is still time remaining, go back and add as much information on the topic that you remember. It may get you another point or two.
Quick Formula to remember:
UDA
Use– Use Psychology terminology
Define - Define the Psychology terminology
Apply - Apply the Psychology terminology. Examples!
Useful websites:
The College Board Web Site - The College Board is the official place where all AP test information resides. This site provides students with all the information they need to know about the AP program, including the following:
American Psychological Association (APA)- This site contains relevant articles on psychological topics students study in an AP class. Students can use these articles to enhance their up-to-the-minute knowledge of psychological concepts.
Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS) - This site will give students information about affiliating with the APA, which provides resources for them such as APA’s newspaper Monitor on Psychology, the American Psychologist journal, discounts on other journal subscriptions, and discounted access to psychology databases.
Association for Psychological Science (APS) - This site contains links to numerous psychology-related resources, including Zimbardo’s Stanford prison research. A good general site to use to see up-to-date scientific research.
Anneberg/CPB Project - Students can watch programs produced by the Annenberg Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for free through online streaming. Programs students can view (via streaming) include Discovering Psychology.
The Center for Psychology Resources - This site contains demonstrations, tutorials, and information about a variety of psychological concepts.
Psychology Internet Library - This site has many review activities, videos, demonstrations, notes, and links to help in understanding psychological concepts.
Psychology Websites - The site is a source of information on virtually any topic. The Web has an enormous amount of information available related to the field of Psychology.
Topic-specific Sites:
The Exploratorium (Sensation & Perception) - This site, which showcases exhibits from San Francisco’s Exploratorium Museum, offers several online demonstrations and explanations of sensation and perception phenomena.
Jonathan Mueller’s Social Psychology Resources Page - This site provides several activities and resources for learning more about social psychology.
The Dana Foundation - This site offers numerous links and information about cutting-edge neuroscience research. This site is great for anyone interested in knowing current knowledge of the brain and nervous systems.
Classics in the History of Psychology by Christopher Green, Ph.D. (York University, Toronto) - This site provides the original articles and thoughts of the greats in the history of psychology in every subfield. A great resource for students interested in reading about psychology “from the horses’ mouths”!