So I want to self-study AP Psych next year, but I’ve been hearing mixed things about how to go about self-studying. I’m currently enrolled in an AP Psych 6 Part Class on edX. The general consensus I’ve been hearing is to get Barron’s. Should I just drop the course and use Barrons? Also, is reading and going through Barrons really all I need for a 5?
Any input is appreciated.
You will need to do more than just read Barron’s. Does your school offer the course and it just doesn’t fit in your schedule, or is it not offered at all? If it is offered, I would recommend scheduling some meetings with the teacher of that course to help you review material and make sure you are on the right track. I would continue with your online course regardless. Even if it seems unnecessarily stressful or pointless, imagine how AWFUL it is to walk into an exam unprepared. For me, it makes my stomach knot up and I can’t sleep the night before or focus properly all that morning. You’re better off putting in a decent amount of work now so you feel comfortable while taking the exam.
What is the purpose of self-studying? It is unlikely to be worth the effort if the purpose is to impress colleges.
@evergreen5 AP Psych got recently introduced as a Senior Class, but I believe that I’d have to take it in place of AP Gov or AP Econ - both classes that I’m interested in taking. Should I just wait to take it then?
@CatLover20 They do offer it, but I believe that I’d have to take it in place of AP Gov or AP Econ - both classes that I’m interested in taking. Also, I heard Barrons was enough for a 5 from many people. Was there a reason that for you it wasn’t?
@evergreen5 @CatLover20 I forgot to mention this. This is the first year our school is offering AP Psych and the class is not yet NCAA or UC approved, if that does affect anything.
It’s doable. Not saying anyone should follow my example, but I didn’t have a good teacher for AP Psych and I barely passed all the exams in class. What saved me was using the online textbook and making quizlets. I did this about 2 weeks before the test, and I got a 4. Again, not saying you should follow my example, but it can be done.
EDIT: Will also mention Psych is one of the easier APs, not that it’s a breeze; and I’m not sure dropping the class is the right choice.
Why do you need to take it at all? Why bother, what is the point?
@evergreen5 If you did read my last comment, then I said that I would have to take it in place of AP Econ and AP Gov, which as I mentioned earlier, are AP courses that I’m interested in. I’m thinking of considering a career regarding psychology, and I feel that AP Psych would be a nice little intro course.
I’m not a big fan on self studying for many reasons, although I did not always listen to my own advice when I was in HS. 
That said,
YMMV, but I did not take the class in HS. I literally just crammed the weekend before using Barron’s and got a 5.
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
Self-studying APs does not help you with admissions. They don’t look at your AP test scores for admissions…seniors who take APs don’t get the scores back until after they are admitted.
So if you do it, you would be doing it for College credit. See if your colleges of choice would give you credit and if that credit would be useful.
Also realize that doing well in your HS courses is vastly more important than self studying…also would you have time to do ECs if you are self studying?
No admissions officer will be impressed by self-studying for an AP exam, particularly for one of the easier exams. I think your time would be much better spent: 1) doing as well as you can in classes you are taking in your HS; 2) getting increasingly involved in EC activities and 3) enjoying your family and friends.