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AP Psychology Exam Practice Questions &
Answers (Verified Update)
This comprehensive study guide covers the core domains tested
on the AP Psychology Exam, aligned with the 2026–2027
curriculum. It includes original practice questions with detailed
rationales, organized by the five units of the redesigned course.
Exam Overview & Blueprint:
Parameter Details
Exam Format Fully digital, 2 hours 40 minutes
Section I 75 multiple-choice questions, 90 minutes, 66.7% of score
Section II 2 free-response questions (AAQ & EBQ), 70 minutes, 33.3% of score
Biological Bases of Behavior (15–25%), Cognition (15–25%), Development and Learning (15–25%), Social Psycho
Units Covered
and Personality (15–25%), Mental and Physical Health (15–25%)
Science
Concept Application, Research Methods and Design, Data Interpretation, Argumentation
Practices
Key Changes New unit structure, digital format, AAQ and EBQ free-response types
Section 1: Biological Bases of Behavior
, Page |2
Q1. A researcher uses a brain imaging technique that measures
blood flow to determine which areas are most active during
memory encoding. Which technique is being used?
A) EEG
B) fMRI
C) PET scan
D) CT scan
Answer: B
Rationale: fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging)
measures blood flow (hemodynamic response) to infer neural
activity. EEG measures electrical activity, PET uses radioactive
tracers, and CT provides structural images .
Q2. Damage to which brain region would most likely result in
difficulty regulating emotions and forming new emotional
memories?
A) Hippocampus
B) Amygdala
C) Cerebellum
D) Medulla
Answer: B
Rationale: The amygdala is critical for emotion regulation and
emotional memory formation. The hippocampus is for memory
consolidation, the cerebellum for balance and motor
coordination, and the medulla for autonomic functions.
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Q3. A patient who suffered a stroke has difficulty understanding
language but can still produce fluent speech. Which area is
most likely damaged?
A) Broca's area
B) Wernicke's area
C) Motor cortex
D) Somatosensory cortex
Answer: B
Rationale: Wernicke's area is responsible for language
comprehension. Damage results in fluent but nonsensical
speech (Wernicke's aphasia). Broca's area is for speech
production.
Q4. Which neurotransmitter is most closely associated with
reward, motivation, and Parkinson's disease?
A) Serotonin
B) Dopamine
C) Acetylcholine
D) GABA
Answer: B
Rationale: Dopamine is involved in reward, motivation, and
motor control. Loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the
substantia nigra causes Parkinson's disease.
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Q5. A drug that blocks the reuptake of serotonin would most
likely be prescribed to treat:
A) Schizophrenia
B) Depression
C) Parkinson's disease
D) Alzheimer's disease
Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) block
serotonin reuptake, increasing its availability in the synapse,
and are first-line treatments for depression.
Q6. Which part of the neuron receives incoming signals from
other neurons?
A) Axon
B) Dendrite
C) Myelin sheath
D) Terminal buttons
Answer: B
Rationale: Dendrites receive signals from other neurons. The
axon transmits signals away from the cell body. Myelin sheath
speeds transmission. Terminal buttons release
neurotransmitters.
Q7. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for:
AP Psychology Exam Practice Questions &
Answers (Verified Update)
This comprehensive study guide covers the core domains tested
on the AP Psychology Exam, aligned with the 2026–2027
curriculum. It includes original practice questions with detailed
rationales, organized by the five units of the redesigned course.
Exam Overview & Blueprint:
Parameter Details
Exam Format Fully digital, 2 hours 40 minutes
Section I 75 multiple-choice questions, 90 minutes, 66.7% of score
Section II 2 free-response questions (AAQ & EBQ), 70 minutes, 33.3% of score
Biological Bases of Behavior (15–25%), Cognition (15–25%), Development and Learning (15–25%), Social Psycho
Units Covered
and Personality (15–25%), Mental and Physical Health (15–25%)
Science
Concept Application, Research Methods and Design, Data Interpretation, Argumentation
Practices
Key Changes New unit structure, digital format, AAQ and EBQ free-response types
Section 1: Biological Bases of Behavior
, Page |2
Q1. A researcher uses a brain imaging technique that measures
blood flow to determine which areas are most active during
memory encoding. Which technique is being used?
A) EEG
B) fMRI
C) PET scan
D) CT scan
Answer: B
Rationale: fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging)
measures blood flow (hemodynamic response) to infer neural
activity. EEG measures electrical activity, PET uses radioactive
tracers, and CT provides structural images .
Q2. Damage to which brain region would most likely result in
difficulty regulating emotions and forming new emotional
memories?
A) Hippocampus
B) Amygdala
C) Cerebellum
D) Medulla
Answer: B
Rationale: The amygdala is critical for emotion regulation and
emotional memory formation. The hippocampus is for memory
consolidation, the cerebellum for balance and motor
coordination, and the medulla for autonomic functions.
, Page |3
Q3. A patient who suffered a stroke has difficulty understanding
language but can still produce fluent speech. Which area is
most likely damaged?
A) Broca's area
B) Wernicke's area
C) Motor cortex
D) Somatosensory cortex
Answer: B
Rationale: Wernicke's area is responsible for language
comprehension. Damage results in fluent but nonsensical
speech (Wernicke's aphasia). Broca's area is for speech
production.
Q4. Which neurotransmitter is most closely associated with
reward, motivation, and Parkinson's disease?
A) Serotonin
B) Dopamine
C) Acetylcholine
D) GABA
Answer: B
Rationale: Dopamine is involved in reward, motivation, and
motor control. Loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the
substantia nigra causes Parkinson's disease.
, Page |4
Q5. A drug that blocks the reuptake of serotonin would most
likely be prescribed to treat:
A) Schizophrenia
B) Depression
C) Parkinson's disease
D) Alzheimer's disease
Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) block
serotonin reuptake, increasing its availability in the synapse,
and are first-line treatments for depression.
Q6. Which part of the neuron receives incoming signals from
other neurons?
A) Axon
B) Dendrite
C) Myelin sheath
D) Terminal buttons
Answer: B
Rationale: Dendrites receive signals from other neurons. The
axon transmits signals away from the cell body. Myelin sheath
speeds transmission. Terminal buttons release
neurotransmitters.
Q7. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for:
