ixThe Basics
Learning, thinking, solving problems, and remembering are all psychological processes.
To earn the highest score of 5 on the AP Psychology exam, you’ll need to do them successfully!
While the content sections of this book will help you understand concepts involved in
learning and cognition, following the 5-step program will help you apply these concepts
to maximize your success on the May exam.Introducing the 5-Step Preparation Program
This book is organized as a 5-step program to prepare you to succeed on the exam.
These steps are designed to provide you with vital skills and strategies and the practice that
can lead you to that perfect 5. Here are the 5 steps.Step 1: Set Up Your Study Program
In this step you’ll read a brief overview of the AP Psychology exam, including an outline of
topics and the approximate percentage of the exam that will test knowledge of each topic.
You will also follow a process to help determine which of the following preparation pro-
grams is right for you:- Full school year: September through May.
- One semester: January through May.
- Six weeks: Basic training for the exam.
Step 2: Determine Your Test Readiness
In this step you’ll take a diagnostic multiple-choice exam in psychology. This pretest should
give you an idea of how prepared you are to take the real exam before beginning
to study for the actual AP Psychology Exam“.- Go through the diagnostic exam step by step and question by question to build your
confidence level. - Review the correct answers and explanations so that you see what you do and do
not yet fully understand.
Step 3: Develop Strategies for Success
In this step you’ll learn strategies that will help you do your best on the exam. These strate-
gies cover both the multiple-choice and free-response sections of the exam. Since serving
on the College Board committee to design the first course of study and examinations
for Advanced Placement Psychology“, I have worked with many students and teachers
who have helped me gain insight into how they think and study. Tasks that lull you into
a false sense of security with shortcuts that may not work are NOT here.INTRODUCTION:
THE 5-STEP PROGRAM