How is the AP Psychology exam scored in 2026?

The revised AP Psych exam has 75 MCQs (66.7%) and 2 FRQs (33.3%): an Article Analysis Question (AAQ) and Evidence-Based Question (EBQ), each worth 7 points. Composite total is 150.

How many MCQs are on the AP Psychology exam?

The revised exam (2025+) has 75 MCQs with 4 answer choices each, completed in 90 minutes. This is reduced from the old format of 100 MCQs with 5 choices.

What are AAQ and EBQ on the AP Psych exam?

AAQ (Article Analysis Question) asks you to analyze a peer-reviewed study across 6 parts for 7 points. EBQ (Evidence-Based Question) provides 3 studies and asks you to make and support a claim for 7 points.

Is there a penalty for guessing on AP Psychology?

No. There is no penalty for wrong answers. Always answer every question — with 4 choices per question, you have a 25% chance on random guesses.

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Q: What AP Psychology score do I need for college credit?

Most colleges require a 3 or higher. A score of 3+ typically earns 3-4 semester hours for Introduction to Psychology. Selective schools may require 4 or 5.

Q: How to score a 5 on AP Psychology?

You need roughly 77% overall (~116/150 composite). Aim for 60+ MCQ correct, 5+/7 on AAQ, and 5+/7 on EBQ. Focus on vocabulary, research methods, and concept application.

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📝 Section I: Multiple Choice 75 questions · 90 min · 66.7%

/ 75

4 answer choices per question · No penalty for guessing · New format (reduced from 100)

📄 FRQ 1: Article Analysis Question (AAQ) 7 pts · 25 min

AAQ — Analyze 1 peer-reviewed study 0 / 7

(A) Research Method

Identify the method used in the study

(B) Research Variable

Operational definition of the identified variable

Describe what the statistic indicates

(D) Ethical Guidelines

Identify & describe ethical guideline applied

(E) Generalizability

Explain the extent the study can be generalized

(F) Argumentation

Cite a result & explain how it supports/refutes the concept

📊 FRQ 2: Evidence-Based Question (EBQ) 7 pts · 45 min

EBQ — Analyze 3 peer-reviewed studies, build a claim 0 / 7

(A) Claim

Propose a relevant claim about the topic

(B) Evidence

Cite 2 pieces of specific evidence from sources to support claim

Justify evidence + apply AP Psych content to support claim

—

Enter your scores

Adjust the MCQ slider and FRQ rubric above.

MCQ (66.7%)

0.0

0/75

AAQ (16.7%)

0.0

0/7

EBQ (16.7%)

0.0

0/7

0150 composite

          MCQ: 0/75 × (100/75) = 0.00 
          AAQ: 0/7 × (25/7) = 0.00 
          EBQ: 0/7 × (25/7) = 0.00

          Composite: 0.00 / 150
        

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How AP Psychology Scoring Works

The AP Psychology exam is 2 hours and 40 minutes and was completely revised in 2025. It's now fully digital (Bluebook app) with fewer MCQs but more robust questions, plus two brand-new FRQ types.

Section	Type	Questions	Time	Weight
I	Multiple Choice	75 questions (4 choices each)	90 min	66.7%
II-1	Article Analysis (AAQ)	1 study, 6 parts (7 pts)	25 min	16.65%
II-2	Evidence-Based (EBQ)	3 studies, 3 parts (7 pts)	45 min	16.65%

Section

Type

Questions

Time

Weight

Multiple Choice

75 questions (4 choices each)

90 min

66.7%

II-1

Article Analysis (AAQ)

1 study, 6 parts (7 pts)

25 min

16.65%

II-2

Evidence-Based (EBQ)

3 studies, 3 parts (7 pts)

45 min

16.65%

AAQ Rubric Breakdown (7 Points)

The Article Analysis Question gives you 1 summarized peer-reviewed source. You respond in 6 parts (A-F). Parts A-E are worth 1 point each; Part F is worth 2 points.

📄 Article Analysis Question

(A) Method

Identify the research method used (experiment, correlation, case study, etc.)

(B) Variable

State the measurable/quantifiable operational definition of a variable

Describe what the reported statistic indicates in context

(D) Ethics

Identify and describe an ethical guideline applied by the researchers

(E) Generalize

Explain the extent to which findings can be generalized

(F) Argue (2 pts)

Cite a specific result and explain how it supports or refutes the concept

Pro tip: Parts A-E are straightforward recall. Part F (Argumentation) is where most students lose points — practice citing specific data from studies and connecting it to psychological concepts.

EBQ Rubric Breakdown (7 Points)

The Evidence-Based Question gives you 3 summarized peer-reviewed sources on a common topic. You build and support an argument in 3 parts.

📊 Evidence-Based Question

(A) Claim (1 pt)

Propose a relevant, defensible claim about the topic

(B) Evidence (0-3)

Cite 2 pieces of specific evidence from the provided sources

For each evidence: justify + apply an AP Psych concept, theory, or term

Pro tip: Use the Claim → Evidence → Reasoning structure. Each piece of evidence needs its own reasoning paragraph with a DIFFERENT AP Psych term applied.

AP Psychology Unit Weights

The revised course has 5 units (condensed from the original 9). Units 2, 3, and 5 carry the most weight.

Unit 1: Biological Bases of Behavior

8-10%

Unit 2: Cognition

13-17%

Unit 3: Development & Learning

13-17%

Unit 4: Social Psychology & Personality

11-15%

Unit 5: Mental & Physical Health

12-16%

How to Score a 5 on AP Psychology

📝 MCQ Strategy (66.7%)

With 75 questions worth ⅔ of your score, MCQ is your biggest opportunity. Focus on vocabulary — AP Psych requires knowing 400+ terms precisely.

Key: Don't just memorize definitions — practice applying terms to scenarios. Eliminate answers from wrong perspectives.

📄 AAQ Strategy (16.7%)

Practice the 6-part structure: identify method, define variable, interpret statistic, name ethical guideline, evaluate generalizability, and argue.

Key: Part F (Argumentation, 2 pts) is highest value. Always cite a specific result from the study and connect it to the concept.

📊 EBQ Strategy (16.7%)

Use the Claim → Evidence → Reasoning structure. Read all 3 sources during the 15-min reading period and annotate key findings.

Key: Each evidence piece needs a DIFFERENT AP Psych term applied. Practice with released FRQs from College Board.

🧠 Vocab Strategy

AP Psych is vocabulary-intensive. Distinguish similar terms: negative reinforcement vs. punishment, classical vs. operant conditioning.

Key: Learn the 7 perspectives: biological, cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic, sociocultural, evolutionary.

Frequently Asked Questions

The revised exam has 75 MCQs (66.7%) and 2 FRQs — AAQ and EBQ — each worth 7 points (33.3% combined). Raw scores become a composite out of 150, then map to AP 1-5.

Major changes: MCQs reduced from 100 to 75 (with 4 choices instead of 5). Two new FRQ types — AAQ (Article Analysis) and EBQ (Evidence-Based) replace the old concept application questions. The exam is now fully digital via Bluebook.

Most colleges require a 3+. A score of 3+ typically earns 3-4 semester hours for Introduction to Psychology. Selective schools may require a 4 or 5.

No. There is no penalty for wrong answers. With 4 choices per question, you have a 25% chance on random guesses. Always answer everything.

AAQ (Article Analysis Question) gives you 1 study to analyze across 6 parts. EBQ (Evidence-Based Question) gives you 3 studies and asks you to build and support a claim. Both are worth 7 points.

The revised course has 5 units: Biological Bases, Cognition, Development & Learning, Social Psychology & Personality, and Mental & Physical Health. This is condensed from the original 9 units.

The AP Psychology exam is scheduled for May 2026 at 12:00 PM local time. The exam is 2 hours 40 minutes total. It's fully digital via the Bluebook app.

Typically early to mid-July, about two months after the exam. Scores release in waves over several days via your College Board account.

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