AP Psychology FRQ Student Guidelines & Checklist

Directions: Let’s review what you need to know in order to ace the FRQ’s for the post-
assessments in this course and also on the AP Exam. Our goal is to score your FRQ’s in
this class similarly to the way you will be scored on the AP Exam to help you prepare for
success.

How are FRQs scored?

● The AP Psychology Free Response Questions (FRQ) are based on accumulating

points, not losing them!
● Each essay is worth a varying amount of points ranging from 6 to 10 points.
● The amount of points in an FRQ is related to the number of vocabulary words in that
FRQ. For example, if the FRQ has 6 vocab words, it is worth 6 points. If the FRQ has
8 vocab words, there are 8 points.
● Your answer construction should be simple, clear, and concise. Just get to the point,
no flowery language!
● You will never be penalized for incorrect information UNLESS it directly contradicts
already stated correct information.

How do I ensure that I don’t lose points?

The 4 Rules of Psych Essays: You must do these three things for every point in every
essay…. NO MATTER WHAT THE PROMPT ASKS FOR.

1. Define the term in the first sentence of your answer.

2. Give a clear example of the term as it relates to the second sentence of your answer.
3. Explain how the term affects psychology or the outcome of the scenario in the third
sentence of your answer.
4. Write in complete sentences or no credit will be awarded.

***Note: Spelling and grammar do not count against you as long as the
meaning/word can be figured out easily.

What are some other best practices for answering FRQs?

Although not following these suggestions won’t cause you to lose points, using these
practices will enable your scorer to grade your essay more easily which could help you get a
higher score.

● Use specific psychology terms.

○ AP Psychology vocabulary is mandatory in all FRQs (explaining your
answers using vocabulary from the course rather than just explaining the
actual term is a best practice).
● Write the information in the order it is asked.
● Make a new bullet point or paragraph for each point in the essay.
 FRQ Checklist for Students

Directions: You may use this checklist to guide you in remembering all the key elements to
include to earn each point. Remember, the amount of vocabulary words in the prompt is
equivalent to how many points you are able to earn.

Vocab Word ❏ Define the term in the first sentence of your answer.
#1/Point 1 ❏ Give a clear example of the term as it relates to the second
_______________
sentence of your answer.
❏ Explain how the term affects psychology or the outcome of the
scenario in the third sentence of your answer.
❏ Write in complete sentences or no credit will be awarded.

Vocab Word ❏ Define the term in the first sentence of your answer.
#2/Point 2 ❏ Give a clear example of the term as it relates to the second
_______________
sentence of your answer.
❏ Explain how the term affects psychology or the outcome of the
scenario in the third sentence of your answer.
❏ Write in complete sentences or no credit will be awarded.

Vocab Word ❏ Define the term in the first sentence of your answer.
#3/Point 3 ❏ Give a clear example of the term as it relates to the second
_______________
sentence of your answer.
❏ Explain how the term affects psychology or the outcome of the
scenario in the third sentence of your answer.
❏ Write in complete sentences or no credit will be awarded.

Vocab Word ❏ Define the term in the first sentence of your answer.
#4/Point 4 ❏ Give a clear example of the term as it relates to the second
_______________
sentence of your answer.
❏ Explain how the term affects psychology or the outcome of the
scenario in the third sentence of your answer.
❏ Write in complete sentences or no credit will be awarded.

Vocab Word ❏ Define the term in the first sentence of your answer.
#5/Point 5 ❏ Give a clear example of the term as it relates to the second
_______________
sentence of your answer.
 ❏ Explain how the term affects psychology or the outcome of the
scenario in the third sentence of your answer.
❏ Write in complete sentences or no credit will be awarded.

Vocab Word ❏ Define the term in the first sentence of your answer.
#6/Point 6 ❏ Give a clear example of the term as it relates to the second
_______________
sentence of your answer.
❏ Explain how the term affects psychology or the outcome of the
scenario in the third sentence of your answer.
❏ Write in complete sentences or no credit will be awarded.

Vocab Word ❏ Define the term in the first sentence of your answer.
#7/Point 7 ❏ Give a clear example of the term as it relates to the second
(If applicable)
sentence of your answer.
_______________
❏ Explain how the term affects psychology or the outcome of the
scenario in the third sentence of your answer.
❏ Write in complete sentences or no credit will be awarded.

Vocab Word ❏ Define the term in the first sentence of your answer.
#8/Point 8 ❏ Give a clear example of the term as it relates to the second
(If applicable)
sentence of your answer.
______________
❏ Explain how the term affects psychology or the outcome of the
scenario in the third sentence of your answer.
❏ Write in complete sentences or no credit will be awarded.

Vocab Word ❏ Define the term in the first sentence of your answer.
#9/Point 9 ❏ Give a clear example of the term as it relates to the second
(If applicable)
sentence of your answer.
______________
❏ Explain how the term affects psychology or the outcome of the
scenario in the third sentence of your answer.
❏ Write in complete sentences or no credit will be awarded.

Vocab Word ❏ Define the term in the first sentence of your answer.
#10/Point 10 ❏ Give a clear example of the term as it relates to the second
(If applicable)
sentence of your answer.
______________
❏ Explain how the term affects psychology or the outcome of the
scenario in the third sentence of your answer.
❏ Write in complete sentences or no credit will be awarded.