Review Files
Unit Reviews
Unit 1 · 15–25% of Exam
Biological Bases of Behavior
Brain structures and functions, neural communication, neurotransmitters, genetics, sleep, consciousness, psychoactive drugs, and sensation.
Unit 2 · 15–25% of Exam
Cognition
Perception, memory (encoding, storage, retrieval, forgetting), thinking, problem-solving, and intelligence and achievement (Topics 2.1–2.8).
Unit 3 · 15–25% of Exam
Development & Learning
Lifespan development, classical and operant conditioning, observational learning, cognitive development, and communication and language development (Topic 3.5).
Unit 4 · 15–25% of Exam
Social Psychology & Personality
Attribution, social influence, group dynamics, prosocial behavior, personality theories (psychodynamic, humanistic, social-cognitive, trait), motivation, and emotion.
Unit 5 · 15–25% of Exam
Mental & Physical Health
Stress, positive psychology, classifying and identifying psychological disorders, and treatment approaches.
Reference Files
Additional Resources
Study Plan
4-Week Exam Prep Calendar
Assumes 5 study days per week with ~45–60 minutes per session. Adjust to your exam date. Start with any unit where your mastery tracker shows gaps.
Week
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Week 1
Foundations
Foundations
Unit 1
Brain structure, neurons, neurotransmitters
Brain structure, neurons, neurotransmitters
Unit 1
Sleep, consciousness, psychoactive drugs, sensation
Sleep, consciousness, psychoactive drugs, sensation
Unit 1
Practice MCQ + review weak areas
Practice MCQ + review weak areas
Methods
Experimental design, IV/DV, random assignment
Experimental design, IV/DV, random assignment
Methods
Correlation, sampling, statistics, ethics
Correlation, sampling, statistics, ethics
Week 2
Cognition &
Learning
Cognition &
Learning
Unit 2
Perception, top-down/bottom-up, signal detection
Perception, top-down/bottom-up, signal detection
Unit 2
Memory: encoding, storage, retrieval, forgetting
Memory: encoding, storage, retrieval, forgetting
Unit 2
Thinking, problem-solving, intelligence + practice
Thinking, problem-solving, intelligence + practice
Unit 3
Development: prenatal → adolescence
Development: prenatal → adolescence
Unit 3
Learning: classical/operant conditioning, observational
Learning: classical/operant conditioning, observational
Week 3
Social &
Clinical
Social &
Clinical
Unit 4
Attribution, social influence, ELM, conformity, obedience
Attribution, social influence, ELM, conformity, obedience
Unit 4
Group dynamics, I/O psych, prosocial behavior
Group dynamics, I/O psych, prosocial behavior
Unit 4
Personality, motivation, emotion + practice
Personality, motivation, emotion + practice
Unit 5
Health psych, GAS, positive psychology, classifying disorders
Health psych, GAS, positive psychology, classifying disorders
Unit 5
Disorder categories, treatment, ethics
Disorder categories, treatment, ethics
Week 4
Review &
Practice
Review &
Practice
🔎 Targeted review: revisit all Not Started topics across mastery trackers
📋 Full timed MCQ set (75 questions, 90 min): simulate exam conditions
📝 FRQ practice: write complete AAQ + EBQ under timed conditions (70 min total)
🔣 Methods deep dive: re-read all common mistakes; do research design MCQs
🌟 Light review of highest-yield lists; rest; no new content day before exam
Reference
Exam Weight & FRQ Structure
| Unit | Title | Exam Weight | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biological Bases of Behavior | 15–25% | Brain structures, neurotransmitters, sleep stages, consciousness, psychoactive drugs, sensation |
| 2 | Cognition | 15–25% | Perception, memory models, thinking, intelligence (Topics 2.1–2.8; language development in Unit 3) |
| 3 | Development & Learning | 15–25% | Developmental theories, classical/operant conditioning, observational learning |
| 4 | Social Psychology & Personality | 15–25% | Attribution, social influence, group dynamics, personality theories, emotion theories |
| 5 | Mental & Physical Health | 15–25% | GAS, positive psychology, DSM disorders (9 categories), treatment modalities |
| — | Research Methods & Science Practices | Across all units | Experimental design, correlation, sampling, statistics, APA ethics — embedded in every unit |
Free Response Question Formats
Q1: AAQ — Analyze a Research Study
Typically 4 parts: (A) Identify research design or variables; (B) Explain whether causal conclusion is supported; (C) Apply a psychological concept to the scenario; (D) Identify an ethical guideline and describe its application. Requires precise use of research methods vocabulary.
Q2: EBQ — Evidence-Based Question
Presents 2–3 sources (articles, data tables, or studies). Students make a claim about behavior or mental processes and support it with at least two pieces of evidence from the sources, applying AP Psychology reasoning to connect evidence to claim.