AP Psychology - Study Guides, Flashcards, AP-style Practice & Mock Exams
This complete AP Psychology course provides a structured pathway for your AP Psychology exam prep. Systematically navigate through all required units and topics using our detailed study guides, engaging video lessons, and a wide array of practice materials designed to reinforce your understanding of core psychological concepts.
Course Overview
This course provides a systematic introduction to the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. The curriculum covers key domains such as the biological bases of behavior, cognition, learning, developmental psychology, and social psychology. Emphasis is placed on developing skills for scientific investigation and critical analysis. You will learn to apply psychological concepts to authentic scenarios, analyze quantitative data, and evaluate research design. These skills are essential for both the multiple-choice section and the free-response questions, which assess concept application and research analysis using precise, rubric-aligned language.
Your study plan is structured for methodical content mastery. You will navigate through the course’s 5 units by completing individual topics, each followed by an AP-style quiz to check comprehension. These quizzes provide immediate feedback, enabling targeted review of challenging concepts before you proceed to a cumulative unit exam. This cycle of learning, assessment, and review builds a strong foundation for the course's three full-length mock exams. With 359 practice questions integrated throughout, this process simulates the exam's format and pacing, allowing you to refine your strategy and identify knowledge gaps.
Units & Topics
Unit 1: Biological Bases of Behavior
expand_more
This unit investigates the biological underpinnings of the mind, establishing the causation from genetic predispositions and neural networks to our states of consciousness and perception.
- 1.0Unit Overview
- 1.1Interaction of Heredity and Environment
- 1.2Overview of the Nervous System
- 1.3The Neuron and Neural Firing
- 1.4The Brain
- 1.5Sleep
- 1.6Sensation
- 1.7Unit Exam
Unit 2: Cognition
expand_more
We will analyze the causation behind cognitive processes, exploring how we perceive the world, make judgments, and why our memories and intelligence differ.
- 2.0Unit Overview
- 2.1Perception
- 2.2Thinking, Problem-Solving, Judgments, and Decision-Making
- 2.3Introduction to Memory
- 2.4Encoding Memories
- 2.5Storing Memories
- 2.6Retrieving Memories
- 2.7Forgetting and Other Memory Challenges
- 2.8Intelligence and Achievement
- 2.9Unit Exam
Unit 3: Development and Learning
expand_more
This unit examines the continuity and change in human cognition, behavior, and social interaction from infancy through adulthood, including how we acquire new behaviors through conditioning.
- 3.0Unit Overview
- 3.1Themes and Methods in Developmental Psychology
- 3.2Physical Development Across the Lifespan
- 3.3Gender and Sexual Orientation
- 3.4Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan
- 3.5Communication and Language Development
- 3.6Social-Emotional Development Across the Lifespan
- 3.7Classical Conditioning
- 3.8Operant Conditioning
- 3.9Social, Cognitive, and Neurological Factors in Learning
- 3.10Unit Exam
Unit 4: Social Psychology and Personality
expand_more
This unit analyzes the causation of our actions by exploring how we perceive others, develop unique personalities, and experience internal drives and emotions.
- 4.0Unit Overview
- 4.1Attribution Theory and Person Perception
- 4.2Attitude Formation and Attitude Change
- 4.3Psychology of Social Situations
- 4.4Psychodynamic and Humanistic Theories of Personality
- 4.5Social-Cognitive and Trait Theories of Personality
- 4.6Motivation
- 4.7Emotion
- 4.8Unit Exam
Unit 5: Mental and Physical Health
expand_more
This unit investigates the complex causation behind psychological conditions, exploring diagnostic frameworks, therapeutic approaches, and the principles that contribute to overall mental and physical wellness.
- 5.0Unit Overview
- 5.1Introduction to Health Psychology
- 5.2Positive Psychology
- 5.3Explaining and Classifying Psychological Disorders
- 5.4Selection of Categories of Psychological Disorders
- 5.5Treatment of Psychological Disorders
- 5.6Unit Exam
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the format of the AP Psychology exam?
expand_more
The exam consists of two sections completed in two hours. You will have 70 minutes for 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and 50 minutes for two free-response questions (FRQs) that require you to demonstrate skills like concept application and data analysis.
How is the AP Psychology exam scored?
expand_more
Your final score is a composite based on both sections. The multiple-choice section accounts for two-thirds of your score, while the free-response section makes up the remaining one-third. Strong performance on both question types is essential for a high score.
What are the Free-Response Questions (FRQs) like?
expand_more
The two FRQs test distinct skills. The first is a Concept Application question, where you apply psychological terms to a real-world scenario. The second is a Research Design question, which requires you to analyze a study's methodology and interpret its findings.
What are the most important skills for AP Psychology?
expand_more
The most critical skills are Concept Application and Scientific Investigation. You must be able to define and apply psychological principles to specific scenarios and analyze the components of research, such as identifying variables and interpreting basic statistical data.
How should I structure my studying with this prep course?
expand_more
A sequential approach is most effective for mastering the material. Progress through the 5 units and their topics, using AP-style quizzes to check understanding before tackling unit exams. Finally, use the 3 full-length mock exams to simulate test day conditions.
How much time should I budget for this course?
expand_more
You should plan for approximately 22 hours of focused study time. This estimate covers all 35 core topics, from the biological bases of behavior to social psychology, ensuring you have a comprehensive grasp of the required curriculum content before the exam.
How can I best use the practice materials?
expand_more
Consistent practice is key to building confidence and skill. Use the 682 flashcards for daily vocabulary review and work through the 359 practice questions to apply your knowledge, identify weak spots, and get comfortable with the exam format.
Is a calculator allowed on the AP Psychology exam?
expand_more
No, calculators are not permitted on the AP Psychology exam. Any questions involving data analysis or statistics will require only simple calculations that can be done by hand, focusing on your understanding of concepts like mean, median, and statistical significance.
How do I write a high-scoring FRQ answer?
expand_more
Write in complete sentences and directly address each part of the prompt. Focus on clear, concise application of the specified psychological term to the scenario provided. Do not write a formal essay; simply answer what is asked for each point.
What is the most important content to know for the exam?
expand_more
While all units are tested, a deep understanding of research methods is essential as it appears in both MCQs and the Research Design FRQ. You must be able to identify variables, evaluate ethical guidelines, and interpret basic statistical data across different contexts.
Ready to study smarter for AP Psychology?
Get instant access to all study materials, practice questions, and mock exams. Join thousands of students mastering AP Psychology with PrepGo.