AP Psychology

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I know I’m kinda very late, but would it be possible for me to self-study the Psychology AP Exam by May? I would probably spend 1-1 1/2 hours every night and will do extra during spring break.

2

Your time would be better spent focusing on your classes and ECs.

3

…I’m doing it! Join the club! :smiley:

4

Questions to consider: Do they offer it at your school? Will they let you take the exam even if the course is not offered? Do you want to pursue a career/major related to psychology or just interested in it? I’m taking it right now w/ a course and I feel the course is really preparing the class for the exam. Are you prepared to grasp topics such as Sensation, Perception, Anatomy, Research, Memory, Conditioning, Behavior etc?

Hmmm, the AP exam is in 2 months. I guess it’s a good time. But will you be able to manage it (assuming you have other coursework/ECs etc consuming your time)?

Ask yourself those questions.

5

Self-studying does nothing for admissions, so unless you’re doing it out of a genuine interest in the subject/way to kill free time, I wouldn’t recommend it, especially considering you could take it in later years (if you’re not a senior yet).

6

While I agree with @cxprus and @r2v2018 , I will state that from personal experience, self studying AP Psych is very doable. While not a strategy I’d recommend, having never taken a psych class, I self studied it over a weekend with Barron’s (which is sorta why colleges don’t put much stock in simply self studying for an exam).

FYI, the fact that the AP Psych exam is so mind-numbingly easy is one of the main reasons Dartmouth eliminated AP Psych credit.

http://pbs.dartmouth.edu/undergraduate/curriculum/transfer-and-ap-credit

7

If you’re taking dual enrollment in Psychology, do it. If not, don’t bother. If you’re not sure, you can always take the CLEP.

8

Many many colleges do not accept AP Psych for an intro to Psych credit in part because there is often a lab component to Intro to Psych at the college level which is not present in the HS AP course.

9
  1. Realize that AP tests are not considered in admissions (as many are taken Senior year after you are admitted)
  2. It is very important to do well on your regular grades, so don’t slack on those to study for AP Psych
  3. You would have to commit to some level of studying otherwise you will just waste your time
  4. If you do well enough, you could get credit at college ( i am not so sure about @happy1 's assertion that many colleges don’t accept the AP credits for AP Psych…look at colleges of interest to you and see what they do)
  5. You will have to organize to take the test…if the class is offered at your class, ask your GC to sign you up. If not, look on the college board website where you can take the test.