A list of the top 13 tips and advice for the FRQ essay in AP Psychology
Plan before you begin writing.
Scrutinize the question, consider what is being asked, and note any points that you will need to answer in your response. Different kinds of questions are asked on each AP exam. You will be required to read supplementary materials for AP Psychology and then utilize those materials and the knowledge you have learned during the course to respond to questions.
Next, consider the supporting details you can use in your response from the source materials. After thinking about how your evidence relates to the material you have studied this year, determine how it will fit into the analysis.
Give a detailed justification of the evidence's relevance to the assertion or subject you are referring to, as well as how it relates to the knowledge you have acquired during the course. Don't let the reader figure out your meaning or how something supports a point on its own.
Write only when you have decided what your argument will be and carefully consider the evidence you want to utilize. You will then be able to respond to the question with clarity.
Tips & Advice for the FRQ Essay in AP Psychology
- Underline or circle significant phrases in the prompt. It's easy to miss a tiny but crucial detail in a FRQ question. Please remember to use your writing tool.
- Decide which verbs to use as cues to help you formulate your response. Keep an eye out for these cues. Define, clarify, compare, contrast, assess, apply, identify, and other verbs are commonly found on the test. By recognizing these indicators, you may make sure you are answering every aspect of the given question.
- Bucket the course: In other words, during your review sessions, you should give a summary of the AP Psychology course. Examine the course's key topics and get comfortable with mentally filling in these "buckets" each time you read an AP Psychology question. You have the option to designate topic areas according to your preferences, such as Area 1: History & Approaches, Area 2: Research Methods, etc. Therefore, if you come across a question concerning William James, you can mentally recollect related concepts to various approaches and the history of psychology, and remember that this question is testing your knowledge of History & Approaches.
- Set aside time for each question: since you have just 50 minutes to respond to the two FRQs, you should aim to spend about 25 minutes on each one. One effective strategy for answering the FRQs is to plan your response for the first three to four minutes, then use the remaining time to write. Pay attention to the clock and avoid devoting too much time to one essay over another.
- Put in your best effort: Sure, it's cliche. But keep in mind, this is a crucial piece of advice. Ultimately, it is possible that you won't fully understand every question on the AP Psychological test when you take it. It's alright! After inhaling deeply, list all of the things you already know. The objective of the game is to perform as effectively as you can and impart your knowledge to the reader or grader. It is preferable to do your hardest and try to get as many points as you can rather than to feel dejected and decide not to write because you are unsure about a certain aspect of the question.
- Give specifics: Being precise enough in their comments is one of the things that students find difficult to do on the AP Psychology test. It is evident from examining the College Board's sample replies that many low-scoring answers lack precision. Provide examples to demonstrate your understanding of the question posed.
- We understand that simplicity is the greatest expression of sophistication. You adore convoluted sentences. Nonetheless, the best writers are frequently those who can write clearly and concisely. Segment your phrases when you can. Come understandably.
- Recognize the rubric: Knowing the content of the test ahead of time is one of the best things about taking AP exams. Get a copy of the AP Psychology FRQ rubric printed out, then commit it to memory. You will begin to view the test via the test creator's eyes once you've internalized it. You'll become increasingly conscious of whether your answers fully address the subject posed.
- Write in whole sentences: It's best to respond to your free response questions (FRQs) with a coherent statement for each section of the inquiry. For instance, if the question asked you to define and explain four terms, you would provide one or two definitions for each phrase along with an explanation in a sentence or two.
- Examine the query: Avoid the mistake of writing your entire response before recognizing you haven't answered the question, based only on your assumption about what the rest of the question is asking. Read both questions when you first open your FRQ packet and then begin writing. Decide then which one you would feel most comfortable working on first. In addition to giving you more self-assurance, this will help you get into the writing groove before you have to address the question on which you are less knowledgeable.
- Think about organizing before you respond: Before responding, you should allot a short period at the start of the free response area to organize your thoughts. The time is well worth it. You can create a cogent response if you have a well-defined plan for it.
- Avoid contradicting yourself: Giving false information won't lose you points but giving contradicting information won't gain you points either. Positive reinforcement, for instance, cannot be defined as rewarding conduct that occurs more frequently and rewarding behavior that occurs less frequently. This means that even if you were accurate, you would still lose the point you earned because you contradicted yourself later.
- Eliminate the introduction and conclusion: Since the rubric is based on your ability to address points in the question, you do not need an introduction or a conclusion.
Conclusion
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