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Although there are no magic pills to enable you to answer the free-response questions perfectly, let’s look at some possible strategies for maximizing your score:

1. Read both essay questions to get a quick idea of the topics you’ll need to recall. Directly on the question sheet, jot down some key terms that serve as retrieval cues for you.

2. Note the time and allot about half the remaining minutes to each question. Stick to the time you’ve allotted for your first question so that you’ll have adequate time to answer the second one.

“I was so ‘time-tied’ by the time I finished the first essay that if I hadn’t scribbled some thoughts for the second question as soon as I got my paper, I’m sure I wouldn’t have gotten that 5 on the exam!”

—Jessica, former AP student

3. Read the question again carefully. Underline or highlight key words. Say the question to yourself in your own words. Be sure you know what the question is asking. (If you are not sure, read the question again.)

4. See if you can segment the question into parts that will earn a credit. Generally each question has six to twelve segments which each earn a credit. For example, if you are asked to differentiate between proactive and retroactive interference, and give an example that illustrates each, you can segment the question into four points—

Point 1—Define proactive interference.

Point 2—Define retroactive interference, indicating clearly how it is different from proactive interference.

Point 3—Give an example of proactive interference.

Point 4—Give an example of retroactive interference.

5. No matter how much you write, you cannot get more than the one point allotted for any segment. Scorers look for an adequate answer for the point and move on. So should you!

6. No matter how brilliant an introduction you write, or what a great closing paragraph you create, if it doesn’t answer a segment of the question, you will not earn credit for it. So, do NOT spend any time writing an introductory paragraph or a concluding paragraph. Do NOT spend time rewriting the question as an introductory statement. Start by answering the first question segment, and finish by answering the last question segment.

7. Write complete sentences. You cannot earn any points for a list, or an outline. Unless you are specifically told that you can provide a graph, table, or diagram in your answer, you will NOT earn any credit for them.

“Vocabulary is the key to doing well. If you know the right terms, define them, and apply them to the question, you’ll probably get most of the points. That’s how I got a 5.”

—Amanda, former AP student

8. Even if you are not sure of something that you think might possibly earn a credit, write it. You may get credit for it. Unless you are contradicting something else that you said, you will not have points subtracted for saying something wrong.

9. Write your answers clearly and legibly in dark blue or black ink. If you are equally comfortable printing or writing in script, print your answers. Readers appreciate easy-to-read answers. Put a line through anything you want to cross out. Do NOT waste time blackening out, erasing, or “whiting” out.

10. You don’t need to get full credit in order to get a 5 on the AP exam. The better you do on the multiple-choice section, the more leeway you have for your essays.

STEP 4

Review the Knowledge You Need to Score High

CHAPTER 5 History and Approaches

CHAPTER 6 Research Methods

CHAPTER 7 Biological Bases of Behavior

CHAPTER 8 Sensation and Perception

CHAPTER 9 States of Consciousness

CHAPTER 10 Learning

CHAPTER 11 Cognition

CHAPTER 12 Motivation and Emotion

CHAPTER 13 Developmental Psychology

CHAPTER 14 Personality

CHAPTER 15 Testing and Individual Differences

CHAPTER 16 Abnormal Behavior

CHAPTER 17 Treatment of Abnormal Behavior

CHAPTER 18 Social Psychology

CHAPTER 5

History and Approaches

IN THIS CHAPTER

Summary: Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.