AP® Psychology Free-Response Questions (FRQs)

How to Answer AP Psychology Free-Response Questions

Students often find the FRQ section challenging because, unlike the multiple choice section, there are no answer options to choose from, and students must come up with their answers, which is why the section is called "free response."

To do well on the FRQ portion of the AP Psychology exam, you need a solid grasp of the tested content, a logical approach to tackling the questions, and effective time management. Although this portion of the exam can be intimidating at first, if you know how to approach each type of FRQ you will encounter on the exam, you will be able to perform well. By following the tips and strategies below and actively working on these skills, you will prepare yourself for success in the FRQ section of the AP Psychology exam!

Know how the FRQs are scored

AP readers score the FRQ responses. AP Psychology teachers and college instructors trained to use standards for scoring serve as the readers. The reader awards a point when they conclude that a specific requirement described in the scoring standards is in the FRQ response. Therefore, demonstrating your understanding of each part of the question is the key to earning maximum points.

• Even though the AP Reader who scores your FRQ is an expert, you should write your responses in a simple way, as if you were explaining the concepts to someone who isn’t very familiar with psychological theories and concepts.
• Every AP Psych FRQ is different and will contain prompts for you to address. For example, you might need to compare or contrast individuals, take a stance on an issue, state how a list of terms applies to a scenario, or draw a graph. Be sure to note which prompt(s) the question provides and ensure your answer addresses each part of the question.
• Before writing, carefully read and think about the question, and then organize your thoughts for your response. Consider starting with a clear thesis statement and then adding points with supporting evidence to your broader statement.
• As you plan your response, look for ways to include evidence from your AP Psychology course to support your argument. Clearly state how this information applies to the question and informs your answer.
• Make sure to organize your answer so that it mirrors the organization of the question itself. In other words, if the question has parts (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e), your answer should have the same labels and be in the same order. Doing this will make it much easier for your reader to grade. 
• Write legibly using a blue or black pen, and be sure your answer is within the space provided. The readers cannot give you points unless they can absolutely confirm that you meet the scoring criteria. If you make a mistake, mark a line through the section you do not want scored. Don't bother scribbling everything out or attempting to erase the ink.
• As you explain a concept, ensure you express complete thoughts and use sentences. Remember to demonstrate your understanding, not just provide simple definitions. For example, if asked to apply the concept of negative reinforcement, you need to describe that an undesirable stimulus is removed as a consequence of a behavior and explain that, in doing so, the behavior is more likely to be repeated. Simply saying that negative reinforcement involves the removal of an undesirable stimulus may not be sufficient to earn a point.
• You won't lose points for incorrect answers (unless they directly contradict the correct information in your answer). Therefore, you should attempt to answer as many portions of the questions as possible within the time limit, even if you are unsure. You will probably know something about the concepts in each question, and there are often several ways to earn a point for a part of a question. The only way you will have zero points is by skipping a question! So make sure you give it your best shot!

Pay attention to the wording of the FRQ

If you successfully answer all parts of a question, you will earn full points. Therefore, it is important to pay close attention to what the instructions ask of you. You will find a list of common task verbs below with examples to help you know what to do when they appear in a question.

• As you read a question, circle or underline each instruction as you read it. Think about what you need to do to answer that part of the question.
• Mark off each part of the question as you finish writing that part of your answer. Doing this will help keep you on track and is a great way to be sure you have responded to everything the question asked. Before you go on to the next question, double-check that you have not overlooked anything the current question asks you to do.

Use your time wisely

You will have 50 minutes to complete the FRQ portion of the AP Psychology exam. You can answer the two questions in any order.

The most efficient use of your time will be to start by answering the parts of the questions in which you feel most confident, earning you the most points in the shortest time. That is why spending some time in the beginning reading over the questions is critical. Doing this allows you to read the questions and create a strategy for earning the most points. However, you must remember that you can start writing at any point, so once you have your plan, you can start writing.

• Jot down notes that will help you stay on track in the margin of the test book while you write your answers. However, remember that only what has been written in the official, designated spaces will be scored.
• If you get stuck while writing, just leave some room in your answer document and go to the next part of the question or the next question entirely. If you have time at the end, return to the unfinished question or part of a question.
• If you have spare time after finishing your answers, go back and read over your responses. Double-check to ensure you have answered all parts of each question and completed everything asked of you in each question.