2. Success on the AP Psychology Exam Knowledge Need to know the material of a typical Introduction to Psychology course at the college level. Typical college course meets for 15 weeks, 3 times a week for 45 class hours. Textbooks Weiten Text: 714 pages Gleitman Text: 720 pages Bernstein Text: 627 pages Myers Text: 794 pages

3. Success on the AP Psychology Exam Understanding of the AP Psychology Test Knowing the basic elements of the AP Psychology test including: Number of questions in the total test Number of questions from each individual unit Types of questions possible How the questions are arraigned? How is the test scored?

4. Success on the AP Psychology Exam Motivation Drive to do well on the test Reasons for a 5 Time/Work Willingness to put in the time and effort needed to succeed Confidence Feeling you are prepared and have the skills needed to pass the test.

5. Test Taking Strategies General Tips for Test Taking Multiple Choice Section Free Response Questions

6. General Tips for Test Taking Know the structure of the test Multiple Choice Section - 100 questions A-E Column format Questions taken from every unit on a percentage basis

7. AP Psychology Exam Structure History and Approaches 2-4% Research Methods8-10% Biological Bases of Behavior8-10% Sensation and Perception6-8% States of Consciousness2-4% Learning7-9% Cognition8-10% Motivation and Emotion6-8% Developmental Psychology7-9% Personality5-7% Testing and Individual Differences5-7% Abnormal Psychology7-9% Treatment of Psychological Disorders5-7% Social Psychology8-10%

8. AP Psychology Exam Structure Research Methods8-10% Biological Bases of Behavior8-10% Cognition8-10% Social Psychology8-10% Abnormal Psychology7-9% Developmental Psychology7-9% Learning7-9% Motivation and Emotion6-8% Sensation and Perception6-8% Personality5-7% Testing and Individual Differences5-7% Treatment of Psychological Disorders5-7% History and Approaches2-4% States of Consciousness2-4%

9. AP Psychology Exam Structure History, Approaches and Research Methods10-14% Biological Bases of Behavior8-10% Cognition8-10% Social Psychology8-10% Abnormal Psychology7-9% Developmental Psychology7-9% Learning7-9% Motivation and Emotion6-8% Sensation and Perception6-8% Personality5-7% Testing and Individual Differences5-7% Treatment of Psychological Disorders5-7% States of Consciousness2-4%

10. General Tips for Test Taking Know the structure of the test Free Response Section - 2 questions No choice Multiple parts

11. General Tips for Test Taking Make good use of your time and be aware of time restraints Multiple Choice - 70 minutes (100 questions) Free Response - 50 minutes (2 questions) Bring a watch to the test Directions on exam (see next slide)

12. General Tips for Test Taking Make good use of your time and know your time restraints “Use your time effectively, working as quickly as you can without losing accuracy. Do not spend too much time on any one question. Go on to other questions and come back to the ones you have not answered if you have time. It is not expected that everyone will know the answers to all of the multiple-choice questions.”

13. General Tips for Test Taking Read the directions carefully “Mark the one best answer” “Mark all correct answers” AP Psychology test says: “Each of the questions or incomplete statements below is followed by five suggested answers or completions. Select the one that is best in each case and then fill in the corresponding oval on the answer sheet.”

14. General Tips for Test Taking Know how the test is graded Multiple Choice 2/3 of overall grade 100 Points Free Response 1/3 of overall grade 50 Points 150 Total Points

15. General Tips for Test Taking Section I: Multiple Choice _____ = __________ Number Correct Multiple-Choice Score Notes: If any questions are thrown out the 1.0 will change to reflect that change. 1999 – two questions 1.0204 2007 – one question 1.0101

16. General Tips for Test Taking Section II: Free Response (Assumes one 8 point and one 10 point question) (3.1250 X _______) + (2.500 X ________ ) = _____ Question 1 Question 2 Free Response (Out of 8) (Out of 10) Score Note: The numbers will change dependent on how many points each question in a given year is worth.

17. General Tips for Test Taking Section III: Composite Score ______________ + ___________ = _______________ Multiple Choice Free Response Composite Score Score Score Section IV: Final Score

18. General Tips for Test Taking Section I: Multiple Choice _____ Number Correct Multiple-Choice Score Notes: If any questions are thrown out the 1.0 will change to reflect that change. 74

19. General Tips for Test Taking Section III: Composite Score ______________ + ___________ = _______________ Multiple Choice Free Response Composite Score Score Score Section IV: Final Score 74.00

20. General Tips for Test Taking Section II: Free Response (Assumes two 8 point and 8 point question) (3.1250 X _______) + (2.500 X ________ ) = _____ Question 1 Question 2 Free Response (Out of 8) (Out of 10) Score Note: The numbers will change dependent on how many points each question in a given year is worth. 6 633.75 18.75 15

21. General Tips for Test Taking Section III: Composite Score ______________ + ___________ = _______________ Multiple Choice Free Response Composite Score Score Score Section IV: Final Score 74.0033.75107.75

22. General Tips for Test Taking Don’t waste time with extremely difficult questions Don't waste time pondering difficult-to- answer questions excessively. If you have no idea at all, just guess (there is no penalty for doing so) and go on. If you need to devote a good deal of time to the question, skip it and mark it so you can return to it later if time permits.

23. General Tips for Test Taking Are charts, graphs, drawings, etc. on the test? Are there names on the test?

24. General Tips for Test Taking Keep to the level of the test Adopt the appropriate level of sophistication for the test. Don't read things into questions. Sometimes students make things more complex that they were intended to be. Often, simple-looking questions are just what they appear to be. AP Psychology test appears to go from easiest questions to the hardest questions.

25. General Tips for Test Taking If possible, review your answers If you complete all of the questions and still have some time remaining, review the test. Make sure that you have recorded your answers correctly, especially when using a scanner sheet. If you were unsure of some answers, go back and reconsider them.

26. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Multiple Choice Question Structure Stem1.Which of the following is responsible for focusing the image on the retina? Decoys/distractersA.cornea B.optic nerve C.rods D.cones Correct AnswerE.lens

27. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Anticipate the answer As you read the stem of each multiple choice question, anticipate the answer if you can, before looking at the options. If the answer you anticipated is among the options, it is likely to be the correct one.

28. Anticipate the answer When Shelly first had cable television service installed, Public Broadcasting (PBS) was on channel 9. Her cable company then switched PBS to channel 16. Shelly now has trouble remembering that PBS is on channel 16 and not on channel 9. This memory problem represents (AP Psychology Exam 2004 #86)

29. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Anticipate the answer When Shelly first had cable television service installed, Public Broadcasting (PBS) was on channel 9. Her cable company then switched PBS to channel 16. Shelly now has trouble remembering that PBS is on channel 16 and not on channel 9. This memory problem represents (A)memory decay (B)retrograde amnesia (C)reconstruction errors (D)retroactive interference (E)proactive interference (AP Psychology Exam 2004 #86)

30. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Anticipate the answer When Shelly first had cable television service installed, Public Broadcasting (PBS) was on channel 9. Her cable company then switched PBS to channel 16. Shelly now has trouble remembering that PBS is on channel 16 and not on channel 9. This memory problem represents (A)memory decay (B)retrograde amnesia (C)reconstruction errors (D)retroactive interference (E)proactive interference (AP Psychology Exam 2004 #86)

31. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Completely read each question and every answer Always read each question completely. Continue reading even if you find your anticipated answer among the options. There may be a more complete option farther down the list.

32. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Completely read each question and every answer Which of the following is evidence of the reliability of a new intelligence test? (A)A correlation of +0.90 exists between scores on the new test and scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. (B)The test predicts students’ ability to succeed in college. (C)The correlation between scores for identical twins taking the test is +0.90. (D)Baseline data for test norming are obtained from a diverse sample of several thousand participants. (E)The correlation between scores of participants who take two forms of the test is +0.90. (AP Psychology Exam 2004 #70)

33. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Completely read each question and every answer Which of the following is evidence of the reliability of a new intelligence test? (A)A correlation of +0.90 exists between scores on the new test and scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. (B)The test predicts students’ ability to succeed in college. (C)The correlation between scores for identical twins taking the test is +0.90. (D)Baseline data for test norming are obtained from a diverse sample of several thousand participants. (E)The correlation between scores of participants who take two forms of the test is +0.90. (AP Psychology Exam 2004 #70)

34. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Re-phrase complicated questions If the question is too complex try to re-phrase it into a form you can understand. “In their deliberations and discussions regarding the process of developmental maturation, the advocates of the importance of nurture in the nature/nurture controversy emphasize which of the following concepts?” In the nature/nurture controversy, what do the nurture supporters believe?

35. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Stick to the subject matter Watch for answers that have nothing to do with the subject matter of the course or have nothing to do with the subject matter of the particular unit the question is testing.

36. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Stick to the subject matter Alfred Binet’s most important contribution to psychology was in the area of (A)intelligence testing (B)visual perception (C)psychopathology (D)comparative psychology (E)classical conditioning (AP Psychology Exam 2004 #34)

37. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Stick to the subject matter Alfred Binet’s most important contribution to psychology was in the area of (A)intelligence testing (B)visual perception (C)psychopathology (D)comparative psychology (E)classical conditioning (AP Psychology Exam 2004 #34)

38. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Watch for help Look for answers or help within other questions of the test.

39. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Watch for help Which of the following theoretical frameworks would argue most strongly that a healthy child will choose what is good for his or her growth? (A)Social learning theory (B)Psychoanalytic (C)Behavioral (D)Humanistic (E)Psychodynamic (AP Psychology Exam 2004 #05)

40. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Watch for help Which of the following theoretical frameworks would argue most strongly that a healthy child will choose what is good for his or her growth? (A)Social learning theory (B)Psychoanalytic (C)Behavioral (D)Humanistic (E)Psychodynamic (AP Psychology Exam 2004 #05)

41. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Watch for help The humanistic perspective in psychology suggests that (A)most behavior can be explained by operant conditioning principles (B)all humans have peak experiences (C)all humans are by nature good (D)humans are doomed to a life of neurosis and suffering (E)self-actualization can happen only through therapy (AP Psychology Exam 2004 #49)

42. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Watch for help The humanistic perspective in psychology suggests that (A)most behavior can be explained by operant conditioning principles (B)all humans have peak experiences (C)all humans are by nature good (D)humans are doomed to a life of neurosis and suffering (E)self-actualization can happen only through therapy (AP Psychology Exam 2004 #49)

43. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Use “all of the above” to your advantage On items that have "all of the above" as an option, if you know that just two of the options are correct, you should choose "all of the above." If you are confident that one of the options is incorrect, you should eliminate this option and "all of the above" and choose from the remaining options. AP Psychology exam has not had any “all of the above” or “none of the above” questions

44. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Use qualifiers and 100% words Qualifiers: often, sometimes, perhaps, may, generally, some, seldom, usually, ordinarily, etc. Options that use qualifiers tend to be correct. 100% words: never, none, no, every, always, all, only, entirely, necessarily, completely, totally, etc. Options that represent broad, sweeping generalizations tend to be incorrect.

45. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Use flaws within the test to your advantage Many writers of test questions make mistakes that you can use to help determine the correct answer.

46. Common Flaws in Multiple Choice Items Flaw #1 T he incorrect options are highly implausible. The part of the brain responsible for higher order thinking is the: A. cerebrum B. pupil C. repression D. pituitary gland E. mania

47. Common Flaws in Multiple Choice Items Flaw #1 T he incorrect options are highly implausible. The part of the brain responsible for higher order thinking is the: A. cerebrum B. pupil C. repression D. pituitary gland E. mania

48. Common Flaws in Multiple Choice Items Flaw #2 Equivalence and/or contradictions among options allow one to eliminate the incorrect options. Which of the following is a anxiety disorder? A. manic depression B. bipolar disorder C. phobia D. dissociative amnesia E. psychogenic amnesia

49. Common Flaws in Multiple Choice Items Flaw #2 Equivalence and/or contradictions among options allow one to eliminate the incorrect options. Which of the following is a anxiety disorder? A. manic depression B. bipolar disorder C. phobia D. dissociative amnesia E. psychogenic amnesia

50. Common Flaws in Multiple Choice Items Flaw #3 Content information in other items provides the answer. Flaw #4 The correct option is more detailed and/or more specific than all the other options. Flaw #5 The correct option is longer than all the other options.

51. Common Flaws in Multiple Choice Items Flaw #6 There is grammatical inconsistency between the stem and the incorrect options but not the correct option. Flaw #7 The incorrect options include certain key words that tend to appear in false statements (i.e. always, must, never, and so on).

52. Common Flaws in Multiple Choice Items Flaw #8 There is a resemblance between the stem and correct option but not the incorrect options. Skinner and the other behaviorists would promote which of the following therapies? A. psychoanalysis B. humanistic therapy C. behavioral therapy D. Gestalt therapy E. cognitive therapy

53. Common Flaws in Multiple Choice Items Flaw #8 There is a resemblance between the stem and correct option but not the incorrect options. Skinner and the other behaviorists would promote which of the following therapies? A. psychoanalysis B. humanistic therapy C. behavioral therapy D. Gestalt therapy E. cognitive therapy

54. Common Flaws in Multiple Choice Items Flaw #1 - The incorrect options are highly implausible Flaw #2 - Equivalence and/or contradictions among options allow one to eliminate the incorrect options. Flaw #3 - Content information in other items provides the answer. Flaw #4 - The correct option is more detailed and/or more specific than all the other options. Flaw #5 - The correct option is longer than all the other options. Flaw #6 - There is grammatical inconsistency between the stem and the incorrect options but not the correct option. Flaw #7 - The incorrect options include certain key words that tend to appear in false statements (i.e. always, must, never, and so on). Flaw #8 - There is a resemblance between the stem and correct option but not the incorrect options.

55. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Eliminate implausible answers Learn how to quickly eliminate options that are highly implausible. Many questions have only two plausible options, accompanied by "throwaway" options for filler. You should work at spotting these implausible options so that you can quickly discard them and narrow your task.

56. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Eliminate implausible answers According to Benjamin Whorf’s linguistic relatively hypothesis, which of the following is true? (A)Individuals have a natural predisposition to walk in the first two years of life. (B)Individuals learn positive instances of reinforcement faster than they learn negative instances. (C)Children learn “object permanence” much sooner than Piaget proposed in his cognitive theory. (D)Different languages predispose those individuals who speak them to think about the world in different ways. (E)Children learn quantifying behaviors through their interactions with adults before learning qualifying behaviors.

57. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Eliminate implausible answers According to Benjamin Whorf’s linguistic relatively hypothesis, which of the following is true? (A)Individuals have a natural predisposition to walk in the first two years of life. (B)Individuals learn positive instances of reinforcement faster than they learn negative instances. (C)Children learn “object permanence” much sooner than Piaget proposed in his cognitive theory. (D)Different languages predispose those individuals who speak them to think about the world in different ways. (E)Children learn quantifying behaviors through their interactions with adults before learning qualifying behaviors.

58. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Eliminate implausible answers Which of the following is an example of a metacognition? (A)Explaining the significance of the client’s dreams to their disorder. (B)Protecting the terminal buttons of the neuron from destruction by enzymes in the spinal cord. (C)Viewing personality disorders as adjustments to the environment. (D)Understanding the role of various parts of the brain in motor coordination. (E)Knowing the effectiveness of different strategies for learning statistical formulas.

59. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Eliminate implausible answers Which of the following is an example of a metacognition? (A)Explaining the significance of the client’s dreams to their disorder. (B)Protecting the terminal buttons of the neuron from destruction by enzymes in the spinalcord. (C)Viewing personality disorders as adjustments to the environment. (D)Understanding the role of various parts of the brain in motor coordination. (E)Knowing the effectiveness of different strategies for learning statistical formulas.

60. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Eliminate implausible answers A college student experiences a loss of sensation in her right arm before exams. Doctors can find no physiological basis for her condition. This student is most likely experiencing which of the following kinds of disorders? (A)Somatoform (B)Dissociative (C)Anxiety (D)Mood (E)Personality (AP Psychology Exam 2004 #64)

61. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Eliminate implausible answers A college student experiences a loss of sensation in her right arm before exams. Doctors can find no physiological basis for her condition. This student is most likely experiencing which of the following kinds of disorders? (A)Somatoform (B)Dissociative (C)Anxiety (D)Mood (E)Personality (AP Psychology Exam 2004 #64)

62. Free Response Section Test Structure 2 Free Response (Essay) Questions Required to do both

63. Free Response Section Time Structure 50 minutes to complete both essays Can break up your time on the essays any way you want Watch your time. Don’t get caught short on essay #2

64. Free Response Section Scoring Essays are 1/3 of the overall score Each essay 1/6 of the overall score Each essay will have a specific number of points (6-12) Points are then mathematically changed to equal 25 for a perfect essay

65. General Tips for Test Taking Section II: Free Response (Assumes two 8 point and 8 point question) (3.1250 X _______) + (2.500 X ________ ) = _____ Question 1 Question 2 Free Response (Out of 8) (Out of 10) Score Note: The numbers will change dependent on how many points each question in a given year is worth. 6 633.75 18.75 15

66. General Tips for Test Taking Section II: Free Response (Assumes two 8 point and 8 point question) (4.1667 X _______) + (2.083 X ________ ) = _____ Question 1 Question 2 Free Response (Out of 6) (Out of 12) Score Note: The numbers will change dependent on how many points each question in a given year is worth. 6 637.5 25 12.5

67. Free Response Section Style of the Questions One essay tends to be unit based One essay tends to go across units Questions tend to be relatively specific Application questions with listing of terms

68. Free Response Question 2009 #1 1. Dimitri and Linda are trying to learn a new routine to compete successfully in a dance competition. Give an example of how each of the following could affect their performance. Definitions without application do not score. Extrinsic motivation Punishment Proactive interference Endorphins Vestibular system Divergent thinking Introversion 7 points

69. Free Response Question 2009 #2 2. James is in a driver’s education course preparing to take his driving test. The course includes both book work and driving on the road to prepare students for a written test and a road test. (a) Describe how each of the following might influence his ability to drive a car during the road test. Definitions without application do not score. Cognitive map Cerebellum Observational learning Human factors (b) Describe how each of the following are related to the results of the written test. Definitions without application do not score. Reticular formation Predictive validity Semantic memory 7 points

70. Free Response Section Scoring Points are given for correct responses Points are not removed unless you contradict yourself Points are not removed for Handwriting/ Spelling/Grammar issues

71. Free Response Section Helpful Hints – Before Writing Read both essays Think through your answer before you start writing Try to determine the point values for the question Write an outline/notes on the essay question sheet If you are not sure take a logical guess.

72. Free Response Section Writing the Essays Format of the Answer Write your answers in essay form. DO NOT outline, write bullets, etc. Follow the format of the the question. Use paragraphs to separate the different sections Underline key points and concepts Define and give examples

73. Free Response Section Writing the Essays Do not worry if you cannot answer all of the question. Try to avoid compound or complex sentences. Style does not get you points. Avoid circular definitions. Be complete but to the point. DO NOT restate the question.

74. Free Response Section Writing the Essays Introductions and conclusions are NOT needed. DO NOT concept bomb the answer. Answer the question, don’t try to be cute. Define any concepts in the question.