The Complete Guide to AP Psychology Exam [Updated for AP 2025 Exam]

AP Psychology exam is offered in over 100 countries around the world. 292,501 students took the AP Psychology exam in 2022.

We have analyzed the AP Psychology exam structure, topics, study resources, and student performance over the past 10 years of AP Psychology exams to put together this comprehensive AP Psychology exam guide.

In this AP Psychology Guide, we will discuss the format, the topics covered, and effective ways to study for AP Psychology that will help you retain information, improve your test-taking skills, and ultimately succeed in exams. So let’s get started!

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What is on the AP psychology exam?

Explore the ideas, theories, and methods of the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. You’ll examine the concepts of psychology through reading and discussion and analyze data from psychological research studies.

The AP Psychology exam covers the ideas, theories, and methods of the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. 

The AP Psychology Exam format includes two sections as below:

Now let’s understand everything about the AP Psychology exam: duration, structure, score distribution, etc.

How long is the AP Psychology exam?

The AP Psychology exam is 2 hours long and is divided into two sections

The AP Psychology Exam will test your understanding of the psychological concepts covered in the course units, as well as your ability to analyze behavioral studies.

How many questions does the AP Psychology exam have?

The AP Psychology exam has 102 questions in total divided into two major sections; 100 multiple-choice questions and 2 free-response questions.

Topics for AP Psychology Review

AP Psychology is a rigorous course that covers the core scientific principles, theories, and processes that govern human behavior. Students will do hands-on activities and experiments to investigate psychological phenomena.

For additional course resources such as classroom resources, formulae and equation sheets and lab manuals refer to the College Board AP Psychology course page.

How is the AP Psychology exam scored?

The test is divided into two sections:

The AP Psychology exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 5. The multiple-choice section is worth 66.7% of the total score, while the free-response section is worth 33.3%.

Multiple-Choice Scoring

Free-Response Scoring

When is the AP Psychology exam in 2025?

The AP Psychology exam for 2025 will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 12:00 pm local time. The 2025 AP Exams will be held over two weeks in May: May 5–9 and May 12–16. 

For the most recent information on exam dates and registration deadlines, students can check with their institution or the College Board website.

How to prepare for the AP Psychology exam? 

Here are some tips on how to prepare for the AP Psychology exam 

• Memorize the key terms and concepts. There are a lot of terms and concepts in AP Psychology, so it’s important to memorize them. You can use flashcards, mnemonic devices, or other memorization techniques.
• Understand the different perspectives in psychology. AP Psychology covers a wide range of perspectives in psychology, from biological to cognitive to social. Ensure you understand the different perspectives and how they relate to each other.
• Practice answering questions in different formats. The AP Psychology exam includes a variety of question formats, including multiple-choice, short answer, and essay. Practice answering questions in different formats to get comfortable with the different types of questions that you’ll see on the exam.
• Take a practice exam under timed conditions. This will help you get used to the timing of the exam and the types of questions that you’ll see.
• Understand the different perspectives in psychology. There are many different perspectives in psychology, so it’s important to understand the different ways of thinking about the subject.
• Be able to apply the material to real-world examples. The AP Psychology exam will test your ability to apply the material to real-world examples. Be prepared to answer questions about how psychological concepts apply to your own life and the world around you.

How can Wiingy help with AP Psychology exam prep?

In 2022, only 17.0% of the 292,501 students who took the AP Psychology exam scored a 5. While 3 is considered the unofficial passing rate, most elite universities, such as Harvard or Princeton, offer AP credit only if you score 5 or higher. 

Getting a 5 is possible if you have the right support in your high school, but that’s rarely the case.

Here at Wiingy, we work with vetted AP Psychology tutors with demonstrated expertise and experience in helping students score a 5 on AP exams. 

Unlike tutor marketplaces, every Wiingy tutor is screened individually and undergoes a comprehensive assessment.

Less than 3% of applicants are selected to become tutors on Wiingy’s platform, ensuring tutors are highly qualified and experienced in teaching AP courses.

Our online tutors will work with you 1-on-1 to master the content and skills you need to succeed.

Experienced tutors can provide you with curriculum-specific guides and practice questions and familiarize you with the exam format to help you ace the test.

We know that sometimes you don’t want to pay for private tutoring because it is too expensive. It’s common to see tutoring costs between $100 to $150 per hour.

Wiingy’s rates are affordable, starting from just $28 per hour, much lower than the average AP tutoring offered by other platforms.

One more advantage of studying with us is that we don’t require you to sign up for any packages or yearly subscriptions. You can sign up for as little as one lesson and add more lessons as per your requirements.

While we try to match you with the perfect tutor as per your needs, we know that sometimes even the best tutors might not be the right fit for you.

That’s why we offer you the Perfect Match Guarantee, which means that if you are not satisfied with your tutor for any reason, you can request a free replacement at any time. 

Sign up with Wiingy to connect with expert AP Psychology Tutors today and achieve your goal of scoring a 5 on your AP Test!

Why take AP Psychology?

There are several reasons why taking the AP Psychology exam can be beneficial for students. Here are five points in detail:

• College credit: Depending on your score and the policies of the college you plan to attend, a high score on the AP Psychology exam can earn you college credit. This can save you time and money on tuition costs, as you may be able to skip introductory psychology courses in college. You can major in psychology, neuroscience, counseling, social work, or business.
• Advanced Placement: In addition to college credit, a high score on the AP Psychology exam can also earn you advanced placement in higher-level psychology courses in college. This can give you a head start and allow you to take more advanced courses earlier in your college career.
• Career prospect: Taking the AP Psychology exam and earning a high score demonstrates to colleges and future employers that you have mastered college-level psychology concepts and skills. This can be an impressive addition to your college application or resume if you are looking to make your career as a psychologist, therapist, counselor, or social worker.
• Interest in psychology: Finally, taking the AP Psychology exam can be a way to pursue your interest in psychology and deepen your understanding of the human mind and behavior. By exploring advanced psychology concepts and practicing critical thinking skills, you can gain a greater appreciation for the power of psychology to help us understand ourselves and the world around us.

Conclusion

Students who are interested in majoring in psychology, neuroscience, or other related fields will find the skills learned in AP Psychology to be essential. Additionally, the skills learned in this course can be applied to a wide range of careers, such as counseling, social work, and business.

The exam is divided into two sections: multiple-choice (100 questions, 70 minutes) and free-response (2 essays, 50 minutes). 

The mean score for the AP Psychology exam in 2022 was 2.84 out of 5, which is slightly lower than the mean score for all AP subjects in 2022 (2.92). The passing rate for AP Psychology in 2022 was 55.4%, which is slightly lower than the pass rate for AP overall (60.2%).

The AP Psychology exam is challenging, but it is also rewarding. By learning about psychology and applying your critical thinking skills, you can better understand the human mind and behavior.

Boost your AP scores before exam day! Book a free trial with Wiingy’s top AP tutors and ensure you don’t miss out on scoring high. Every point counts towards your dream college. Act now!

Frequently Asked Questions