AP Psychology review: exam format, the 5 units, and how to study
The AP Psychology exam was redesigned for 2025: it is now a 2-hour-40-minute digital test of 75 multiple-choice questions and 2 new free-response questions, built around five domains instead of the old nine units. This guide covers that format, all five units, how the exam is scored, and a study plan built to earn a 5.
What’s on the AP Psychology exam
The AP Psychology exam splits into two sections. Section I is 75 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes, worth about 67% of your score. Section II is 2 free-response questions in 70 minutes, worth the other 33%, and this is the biggest change from the old exam: instead of two open prompts, you now get an Article Analysis Question and an Evidence-Based Question, each worth 7 points.
The Article Analysis Question (AAQ) gives you a real research study to break down — identifying variables, explaining the findings, and evaluating the design. The Evidence-Based Question (EBQ) gives you three sources and asks you to state a defensible claim and support it with cited psychological evidence. The whole exam runs 2 hours and 40 minutes and is taken digitally in the Bluebook app. Our AP Psychology FRQ guide breaks down both question types.
The 5 units of AP Psychology
The redesigned course is organized into five domains rather than the old nine units. Cognition and Social Psychology tend to carry the most multiple-choice weight.
How AP Psychology is scored
Your multiple-choice and free-response points combine into one composite score, which the College Board scales to a 1–5 each year. AP Psychology is one of the most popular AP courses and a common first AP, and it has historically had a solid pass rate. Just note that the redesign’s analytical free-response means a top score now rewards applying concepts to research and evidence, not only recalling terms.
To turn a practice raw score into a predicted 1–5, use our AP Psychology score calculator.
How to study for AP Psychology
Learn the vocabulary, but do not stop there — the exam rewards using it. Lock in the key terms with our AP Psychology definitions, then practice applying them to research and scenarios.
Put real time into the two new free-response types, since together they are a third of your score and reward a clear structure. Work the AAQ and EBQ against the rubric with our FRQ guide, drill one domain at a time with the Progress Check walkthroughs, and if you are weighing how tough it is, see whether AP Psychology is easy.
When is the AP Psychology exam, and how long is it
AP Psychology is given once a year during the College Board’s May testing window, and the exam takes 2 hours and 40 minutes. The exact date and start time are set each year, so confirm the current schedule on the official AP calendar with your coordinator before you plan around it.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers, written by humans.
How many questions are on the AP Psychology exam?
There are 75 multiple-choice questions and 2 free-response questions — an Article Analysis Question and an Evidence-Based Question — split into two sections.
How long is the AP Psychology exam?
Two hours and 40 minutes: 90 minutes for the multiple choice and 70 minutes for the two free-response questions.
What are the AAQ and EBQ on AP Psychology?
The Article Analysis Question (AAQ) has you analyze a research study — its variables, findings, and design — and the Evidence-Based Question (EBQ) has you build an argument using three provided sources and cite psychological evidence.
How many units are on AP Psychology?
Five, after the redesign: Biological Bases of Behavior, Cognition, Development and Learning, Social Psychology and Personality, and Mental and Physical Health.
Is AP Psychology easy?
It is one of the more approachable AP courses and a common first AP, but the redesign added analytical free-response, so a 5 now rewards applying concepts, not just recall. Our difficulty guide goes deeper.
Is the AP Psychology exam digital?
Yes. It is taken on a computer in the College Board’s Bluebook app.