HOW TO WRITE A SOLID AP PSYCHOLOGY FRQ

READ BEFORE ANSWERING  Carefully read both questions before you start to write.  Decide which question you are more comfortable with and write that one first.  Watch your time carefully. You only have 50 min for 2 questions.

DETERMINE THE QUESTION’S INTENT  Most likely there will be a research methods question…but there is no guarantee on that.

FOLLOW THE QUESTIONS WITHIN THE QUESTIONS  Underline key verbs or phrases that identify what the question is asking you to do.  If it asks you to explain or apply a term, DEFINE the term first, then do what it says.

MAKE A LIST  Spending a few minutes prewriting is beneficial.  Jot down key definitions, ideas, examples, terms, researchers’ names, or experiments that will be part of your answer

CHECK IT OFF THE LIST  Cross off the bullet points or different parts of the questions as you answer them.

MAINTAIN ORDER  Answer the components in the same order in which they appear within the question.  Begin writing on the first concept—even if it isn’t the one with which you are the most familiar.  Following the same order as the question makes it READER-FRIENDLY and readers like that

WRITE TO THE POINTS  Try to determine how many points the question is worth and write to the points.  For example, if the question asks you to apply the behaviorist and psychodynamic perspectives, it would likely be worth two points—one for each.

AVOID CONTRADICTIONS  Points are not deducted for incorrect information.  Points are deducted for contradictions.  Don’t say that Watson was the father of behaviorism, and then say that Watson argued against behaviorism.

WRITE LEGIBLY  If an FRQ cannot be read, it cannot be scored.  Do not scribble out a mistake—draw a single clean line through it.

WRITE A (MODIFIED) ESSAY  Do NOT use “fluffy” language.  Do NOT write in list, bulleted, or outline form.  DO write in complete sentences and paragraphs.

DEMONSTRATE YOUR KNOWLEDGE!  Use psychological terms.  Define terms.  Underline the terms for ease of spotting.  This is why it is SOOOOOOOO important to study terms!

BE SPECIFIC  Define, explain, and apply terms when appropriate.  Do not be vague.

PRACTICE  Practice these strategies in class on quizzes and exams.  Use the questions at the end of the chapter.  Get a review book.