College Board

AP Psychology

Advanced Placement Psychology Exam

The end-of-course exam for one of the most popular AP courses in the US. A score of 3 or higher commonly earns introductory psychology credit at college, and the course is a frequent gateway into behavioral-science majors.

$992 hours

What's on the exam

AP Psychology Course and Exam Description (College Board)

Biological Bases of Behavior

15–25%

Neurons and neural transmission · The brain and nervous system · Sensation · Sleep and consciousness · Heredity and environment

Cognition

15–25%

Perception · Memory encoding, storage, and retrieval · Thinking and problem solving · Judgment and decision biases · Intelligence and testing

Development and Learning

15–25%

Lifespan physical and cognitive development · Social-emotional development · Classical conditioning · Operant conditioning · Observational and cognitive learning

Social Psychology and Personality

15–25%

Attribution and social cognition · Attitudes, conformity, and group behavior · Psychodynamic and humanistic theories · Trait theories of personality · Motivation and emotion

Mental and Physical Health

15–25%

Health psychology and stress · Defining psychological disorders · Categories of disorders · Treatment and therapy approaches · Positive psychology

Frequently asked questions

How much does the AP Psychology cost?

The AP Psychology costs $99. US price per exam; higher internationally; schools may add fees and fee reductions are available.

How long is the AP Psychology and how many questions does it have?

75 multiple-choice questions and 2 free-response questions — 2 hours.

What do you need to pass the AP Psychology?

Scored 1–5; most colleges grant credit for 3, 4, or 5 (policies vary).

Can you retake the AP Psychology?

Once per year, at the May administration.

What is the best way to study for the AP Psychology?

Study the official blueprint, not random material: the exam is weighted by domain (Biological Bases of Behavior 15–25%, Cognition 15–25%, Development and Learning 15–25%, Social Psychology and Personality 15–25%, Mental and Physical Health 15–25%). Spaced-repetition flashcards built domain-by-domain against that blueprint are the most time-efficient way to cover everything the exam tests.

Program in development

We're building a blueprint-complete program for this exam. Meanwhile, explore live programs across 7 exam.

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