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How Is My Multiple-Choice Answer Sheet Scored?

The multiple-choice section of the psychology exam is 100 questions and is worth two-thirds of your final score. Your answer sheet is run through the computer, which adds up your correct responses and subtracts a fraction for each incorrect response. For every incorrect answer that you give, one-quarter of a point is deducted. The total is a raw score as follows:

Section I Raw Score = Nright − 0.25Nwrong

How Is My Free-Response Exam Scored?

Your performance on the free-response section is worth one-third of your final score. Two required essays comprise this section. Although the two questions are typically given equal weight (25 each), they may be scored on different point scales. As a result, if Essay #1 has nine points that are scored, the number of points earned toward the total exam score for that essay would be Score #1 × 2.778. The multiplier for each free-response question is determined by dividing 25 by the maximum number of points in the scoring rubric or scoring guide. The table that follows indicates multipliers for essay questions with different point maximums.

Table 1.2 Points/Multiplier Table

Section II Raw Score = (Score #1 × Correct Multiplier) + (Score #2 × Correct Multiplier)

So How Is My Final Grade Determined and What Does It Mean?

To determine your Composite Raw Score, add the Section I Raw Score and the Section II Raw Score. Based on the composite scores of all of the test takers, the Chief Reader sets four cut points that divide the composite scores into groups. Rather than report your composite score, the College Board reports to you one of five numbers assigned to your composite score, based on the cut points:

• 5 indicates you are extremely well qualified.

• 4 indicates you are well qualified.

• 3 indicates you are qualified.

• 2 indicates you are possibly qualified.

• 1 indicates no recommendation.

Below is a rough example of a conversion chart, and as you complete the practice exams, you may use this to give yourself a hypothetical grade. Keep in mind that the conversion changes slightly every year to adjust for the difficulty of the questions. You should receive your grade in early July.

Table 1.3 Grade Guide Table—AP Psychology

Example

In Section I of Practice Exam 1, if you answered 76 questions correctly and

12 questions incorrectly, your Section I score would be 73.

Section I Raw Score = 76 − (0.25 × 12) = 73

In Section II of Practice Exam 1, if you earned 7 out of 10 points on Essay 1, and

6 out of 8 points on Essay 2, your Section II score would be 36.25.

Section II Raw Score = (7 × 2.5) + (6 × 3.125)

= 17.5 + 18.75 = 36.25

Composite Score 73 + 36.25 = 109.25, which would be assigned a 5.

“I’m sorry I didn’t take the AP Psychology Exam. The college I chose did not give credit for the exam, so I skipped it. When I transferred to a different college as a sophomore, I found out that I could’ve gotten six credits from my new school. What a loss!”

–Andrea, former AP student

What Should I Bring to the Exam?

On exam day, I suggest bringing the following items:

• Several pencils and an eraser that doesn’t leave smudges.

• Black or blue colored pens for the free-response section.

• A watch so that you can monitor your time. You never

know if the exam room will have a clock on the wall that keeps accurate time.

• Your school code.

• Your photo identification and social security number.

• Tissues.

• Your quiet confidence that you are prepared.

Avoid bringing electronic data and communications devices, and study materials to the testing site.

CHAPTER 2

How to Plan Your Time

IN THIS CHAPTER:

Summary: The right preparation plan for you depends on your study habits and the amount of time you have before the test.

Key Idea

Choose the study plan that’s right for you.

Three Approaches to Preparing for AP Exams

What kind of preparation program for the AP exam should you follow? Should you carefully follow every step, or are there perhaps some steps you can bypass? That depends