Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology

Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology More in Student Resources APA Style and Writing Study Guides and Tips Careers Advanced Placement Psychology, or AP Psychology, is a course offered by the College Board that allows high school students to earn college credits for an introductory level psychology course. However, it is important for students to realize that simply taking the course does not lead to earning these credits. In order to receive credits, students must pass the AP Psychology exam with a score of 3 or better. Its also important to note that the scores accepted by different colleges and universities may vary. Who Should Take It AP Psychology is a good choice for students who are interested in obtaining college credits while in high school. Introductory psychology classes are often part of the core class requirements at many colleges and universities, so taking AP Psychology is a great way to get a jump start on your college education. Students who are interested in majoring in psychology or another social science can also benefit from taking the course. At many high schools, the AP Psychology course is the only psychology class offered, so it is a good way for high school students to gain an introduction to the subject. AP Psychology courses are taught at the college level, so students should be prepared to work hard in order to learn the information and fulfill the requirements. How to Enroll In order to enroll in the AP Psychology course, you will need to check with your high school to learn about specific requirements. Some schools require students to have completed prerequisites, while others allow any student to enroll. Talk to one of your instructors or your school counselor for more information. Who Teaches It The College Board states that highly qualified high school teachers teach AP classes and use the course descriptions as guides. Teachers are given the opportunity to present the material in their own way. Topics Covered Some of the topics covered in the AP Psychology course and exam include: Research methodsHistory and approachesBiological bases of behaviorSensation and perceptionStates of consciousnessDevelopmental psychologyMotivation and emotionTesting and individual differencesAbnormal behaviorTreatment of abnormal behaviorPersonalitySocial psychologyCognitionLearning The AP Psychology class is not only a great way to earn college credit while you are still in high school, but it is also an excellent opportunity to build basic knowledge of the subject. This can come in handy for any additional psychology courses you may take in college. It can be particularly useful if you plan on majoring in psychology or a social science. The AP Psychology Exam Remember, simply taking the AP Psychology course is not enough to earn college credit; students must also pass the AP Psychology exam. The test itself consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, which count for 66.6% of your score, and two free-response questions, which count for 33.3% of your score. You have 70 minutes to complete the multiple-choice section and 50 minutes for the free-response questions. You can find sample tests on the College Board website. You can also find study materials and practice exams available on various sites online. Other Available AP Classes With more than 30 other AP classes available, high school students can earn college credits in the following subjects: AP Art HistoryAP Music TheoryAP  Studio Art 2-D DesignAP  Studio Art 3-D DesignAP  Studio Art DrawingAP  English Language CompositionAP  English Literature CompositionAP  Comparative Government PoliticsAP European HistoryAP Human GeographyAP MacroeconomicsAP MicroeconomicsAP United States Government PoliticsAP United States HistoryAP World HistoryAP Calculus  AP Computer Science AAP Computer Science PrinciplesAP StatisticsAP BiologyAP ChemistryAP Environmental ScienceAP PhysicsAP Physics C: Electricity and MagnetismAP Physics C: MechanicsAP Chinese Language and CultureAP French Language and CultureAP German Language and CultureAP Italian Language and CultureAP Japanese Language and CultureAP LatinAP Spanish Language and Culture A Word From Verywell Taking an AP Psychology class and the accompanying exam are a great way to get a jump start on your college education. Such classes an exams allow you to earn college credits while in high school that you can then use to count toward your general education requirements in college.