How to Approach Each Type of AP® Psychology Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ)

The AP® Psychology exam includes 2 sections: multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and free-response questions (FRQs). We will review the 6 types of MCQs and provide key strategies for efficient exam prep.
AP Psychology Exam

The AP Psychology MCQ section is worth 66.7% of your score and consists of 75 questions, each with 4 answer choices. You’ll encounter these 6 types of MCQs on the exam: 

  1. Concept Application Questions
  2. Data Analysis Questions
  3. Research Methodology Questions
  4. Stimulus-Based Questions
  5. Visual/Graph Interpretation Questions
  6. Standalone Concept Recall Questions

Our AP Psych QBank offers hundreds of inquiries that mimic these 6 question types. Each requires a different strategy to guide you to the correct answer. Here are some example questions and tips on how to answer them confidently.

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Image showing the anatomy and structures of the ear.

Concept Application Questions

Apply psychological concepts to real-life or experimental scenarios. These questions test your ability to recognize how theories, terms, and ideas show up in practical situations.

MCQ Example 1

In Hans Selye's general adaptation syndrome, which of the following is the stage that occurs when prolonged stress depletes energy and causes the body to be more vulnerable to illness?

  1. Alarm
  2. Exhaustion
  3. Resistance
  4. Tend-and-befriend

To successfully answer this question, you must understand the stages of Hans Selye's general adaptation syndrome and identify which stage involves long-term stress leading to reduced resistance to illness. This question tests your ability to apply a psychological theory to a health-related outcome.

Data Analysis Questions

Interpret tables, charts, or research data to draw conclusions. You'll use data to support claims, spot trends, or evaluate results.

Bar graph showing performance drop for women in the experimental group.

MCQ Example 2

In an experiment, two groups of participants were given the same test. The control group was told that the test assesses memory function. The experimental group was told that the test assesses gender differences in spatial intelligence. The experimenter said to the experimental group subjects, "Women perform poorly on spatial intelligence tests." The data shown above illustrate which psychological concept?

  1. Intrapersonal intelligence
  2. Crystallized intelligence
  3. The Flynn Effect
  4. Stereotype threat
  5. The social desirability bias

You must analyze the experimental setup and understand how participants' performance might be influenced by expectations or social messages. This question tests your ability to interpret data and apply psychological concepts related to cognition, bias, or group identity.

Best AP Psychology MCQs
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Image explaining how neural transmission works.

Research Methodology Questions

Identify parts of an experiment, such as independent/dependent variables, control groups, and ethical concerns. These questions assess your understanding of scientific design.

MCQ Example 3

When treating a client for specific phobia, Dr. Gilligan uses an effective, common treatment that pairs relaxation with increasingly distressing stimuli. Which of the following techniques is Dr. Gilligan using?

  1. Reflective listening
  2. Systematic desensitization
  3. Flooding
  4. Free association
  5. Aversive conditioning

You must understand different therapeutic techniques and be able to identify which one involves gradually exposing a client to anxiety-inducing stimuli while using relaxation methods. This question tests your knowledge of treatment methods and their application in clinical psychology.

Stimulus-Based Questions

Read a short passage or scenario (often research-based) and apply psychological terms or evaluate outcomes. These questions combine reading comprehension with content knowledge.

A Human brain

MCQ Example 4

Which of the following systems is represented in the drawing above?

  1. The peripheral nervous system
  2. The somatic nervous system
  3. The limbic system
  4. The reticular activating system
  5. The immune system

MCQ Example 5

What is the primary function of the system represented in the drawing above?

  1. Language comprehension
  2. Coordinating emotion, memory, and motivation
  3. Regulating sleep, wakefulness, and dreams
  4. The production of speech
  5. Controlling breathing and heart rate

You must recognize the visual features of a major brain system and understand its associated psychological functions. Together, these questions test your ability to interpret diagrams, recall brain anatomy, and apply knowledge of how brain structures influence behavior and mental processes.

Visual/Graph Interpretation Questions

Analyze graphs or visual stimuli to make inferences about psychological research or trends. You’ll need to draw logical conclusions based on visual information.

MCQ Example 6

Which of the following best depicts a correlation of −.28?

  1. Graph Option A
  2. Graph Option B
  3. Graph Option C
  4. Graph Option D
  5. Graph Option E

Here you will need to choose the graphical representation for the answer choice, but don’t let this intimidate you! You will use your knowledge of correlations to choose the best answer.

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Different regions of the somatosensory cortex process sensory information from different parts of the body.

Standalone Concept Recall Questions

Direct questions that test your knowledge of definitions, vocabulary, or psychological theories. These require quick recall and strong foundational understanding.

Standalone Concept Recall Questions

MCQ Example 7

A research group conducted a study on mice that were classically conditioned to associate a tone with an electric shock. The mice learned that a tone preceded a shock and began to freeze when they heard the tone. Group A was presented the same tone during all seven sessions. Group B was presented the same tone in the first six sessions, but during session seven, they were presented a different tone that sounded similar to the original tone. According to the graph above, group B illustrated which of the following in the seventh trial?

  1. Stimulus generalization
  2. Latent learning
  3. Habituation
  4. Counterconditioning
  5. Stimulus discrimination

You must recall key terms from classical conditioning and identify how a change in the stimulus affects learned responses. This question tests your foundational understanding of learning concepts and your ability to connect terminology with experimental outcomes.

Tips to Approach the AP Psychology Exam Multiple-Choice Questions

Before answering any question, carefully read it, note key information, and mentally review what you know about the topic.

Depending on the question type, here are some specific strategies to keep in mind:

Focus on identifying the psychological concept at play in real-life or research-based examples. Break the scenario down into familiar terms and match it to theories or vocabulary you’ve studied.

Carefully examine tables, charts, or study results. Pay attention to trends, group comparisons, and variable labels to draw accurate conclusions supported by the data.

Look for clues about the structure of the study — who did what, to whom, and under what conditions. Identify the variables, control measures, and any techniques used, keeping key research terms in mind.

Read the full passage or scenario before jumping to the answers. These questions test comprehension and application, so take note of psychological processes or outcomes described.

Start by reading titles, axis labels, legends, and units. Then connect the visual data to what you know about research trends, experimental results, or correlations in psychology.

Use quick recall of definitions, processes, and theories. These questions are direct and test your foundational psychology knowledge, so trust your memory and eliminate distractors efficiently.

How Can I Practice AP Psychology Multiple-Choice Questions?

The key to excelling on the AP Psychology exam lies in preparation. You can practice AP Psych MCQs on the UWorld AP Psychology question bank. For more comprehensive prep, check out our AP Psychology Online Course, designed to walk you through each unit with engaging visuals, practice drills, and spaced repetition for long-term retention.

Prefer to study offline or alongside classwork? Our AP Psychology Study Guide available in digital and print format is packed with key summaries, practice questions, and guided notes to reinforce every topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 75 questions on the AP Psychology MCQ section.
A computer grades the multiple-choice questions. Each question in the AP Psych MCQ is worth 1 point. The points earned on multiple-choice questions make up 66.7% of your total score.
The multiple-choice section of the AP Psychology exam is known as Section 1 and lasts 90 minutes.
Since 2012, the College Board® has not released any official practice tests or multiple-choice questions for the AP Psychology exam. However, you can find some AP Psychology practice MCQs in the official course and exam description (CED) published by the College Board.

References

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