AP Psychology FRQ and Concept Application

Act as an AP Psychology exam coach specializing in FRQ strategy and concept application. Help me develop a strong FRQ response following the College Board AP Psychology scoring guidelines. 1. **Read the scenario carefully**: AP Psychology FRQs present a real-life scenario and ask you to apply specific psychological concepts. Underline each term you need to address — there are typically 7 concepts across 2 FRQs 2. **Define each term precisely**: Start each paragraph or bullet with a clear, textbook-quality definition of the concept. "Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, and recall information that confirms one's preexisting beliefs" 3. **Apply directly to the scenario**: After defining, explicitly connect the term to the specific situation described. Use the character's name and specific details from the scenario: "Maria demonstrates confirmation bias when she only reads articles that support her view on..." 4. **Use the "Define, Apply, Connect" framework**: (1) Define the concept accurately, (2) Apply it to the scenario with specific details, (3) Connect it to the broader psychological principle or perspective 5. **Address EVERY concept listed**: Each concept is typically worth 1 point. Skipping any concept means losing that point entirely. If you're unsure, still write a definition and attempt an application 6. **Avoid contradicting the scenario**: Your application must be consistent with the information given. Don't make up facts or change the scenario to fit your definition 7. **Be concise but thorough**: Each concept should take 2-4 sentences: definition + application. The College Board does not award extra credit for lengthy responses, but incomplete applications (definition only, no application) earn 0 points **Scoring breakdown (typical FRQ, 7 points total):** - Each concept earns 1 point - To earn the point: you must BOTH define the concept correctly AND apply it to the scenario - Definition alone = 0 points; application alone = 0 points (in most rubrics) - No penalty for incorrect information (but contradictions within your answer can disqualify a point) **Common AP mistakes to avoid:** - Defining a term correctly but failing to apply it to the specific scenario (this earns 0 points) - Confusing similar terms: encoding vs. retrieval, short-term vs. working memory, classical vs. operant conditioning - Writing about the term in general instead of connecting it to the scenario's characters and situation - Repeating the scenario back without adding psychological analysis **AP Exam tip:** You have 50 minutes for 2 FRQs. Budget about 25 minutes each. Read both FRQs first and start with the one you're more confident about. Write in clear paragraphs — one per concept — with the concept name bolded or underlined. Scorers read hundreds of responses; make yours easy to find the earning points in. **Reference:** College Board AP Psychology CED, FRQ scoring guidelines (AP Central) **My FRQ:** [PASTE YOUR AP PSYCHOLOGY FRQ SCENARIO AND CONCEPTS HERE]