Learning Targets:

Identify and describe the methodology, variables, and ethical guidelines in a peer-reviewed article.
Interpret basic statistics presented in the article.
Evaluate whether the study can be generalized to a broader population.
Explain how the article either supports or refutes the psychological concept being studied.

Free-Response

The Free-Response portion of the AP exam accounts for 33.3% of your total exam score. You will have a total of 70 minutes to answer the two Free-Response questions. The AP Psychology FRQs are divided into two question types: An article Analysis Question (AAQ) and an Evidence-Based Question (EBQ). Each essay is scored using a stagnant rubric. The total number of points possible for an AAQ or an EBQ is seven rubric points.

When exploring a peer-reviewed article in psychology, it's important to understand the methodology, variables, and ethical guidelines used in the study. The methodology explains the research, including the tools and methods for collecting and analyzing data. Variables are the factors measured or manipulated in the study, showing what aspects are being examined and how they are related. Ethical guidelines ensure that the study was conducted ethically, respecting the rights and well-being of participants.

You should also be able to interpret basic statistics presented in the article to understand the collected data. Knowing statistical measures like mean, median, and standard deviation can provide valuable insights into the study's results. When determining if the study can be applied to a wider population, you should consider factors such as sample size, diversity in the sample, and the research context. Lastly, you need to analyze how the article either supports or challenges the psychological concept being studied, connecting the findings to existing theories and research in the field. These critical thinking skills are essential for understanding the study's implications and its impact on psychological knowledge.

Essay Break Down and Scoring Guidelines

Explore each section in the tabs below to learn more.

Article Analysis Question
Evidence-Based Question

Article Analysis Question

One summarized peer-reviewed source
Seven points across six question parts
- Research method
- Research variable
- Statistic interpretation
- Ethical guidelines
- Generalizability
- Argumentation and Application

Evidence-Based Question

Three summarized peer reviewed sources
Seven points across three question parts
- Claim
- Evidence x2
- Reasoning x2

Article Analysis Question (AAQ)

Please watch the video below for an overview of the AAQ, sample, and rubric.

Evidence-Based Question (EBQ)

Please watch the video below for an overview of the EBQ, sample, and rubric.

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Courtesy of the AP psychology course and exam description, effective fall 2024. (n.d.).