What Are the Best AP Psychology Textbooks and Prep Books?

The Best AP Psych Books

The AP Exam

• You have 1 hour and 10 minutes to answer 100 MCQs
• These will count as 66.7% of your total exam score

• You have 50 minutes to answer 2 FRQs
• These will count as 33.3% of your total exam score

Best Prep Books

1) Princeton Review

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• Lots of visuals and graphics 👀
• All necessary content covered in depth and has a glossary
• 2 practice exams are included with answers 📚
  • If you buy the premium version for $4 more, there are 4 practice tests in the book and 1 online.
• Gives study tips and acronyms as you read 💡
• Lots of test strategies for the exam

• Moderately expensive ($13 regular + $17 premium)
• Their study plan is very vague and may not be easy to incorporate in your schedule

2) 5 Steps to a 5

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• Has a linear, straightforward study plan set up for you
  • With the elite version ($9 more), you have access to a section called "5 minutes to a 5️⃣." This includes 180 days of questions that will only take you 5 minutes! It's quick and easy practice to keep you motivated 🙃
• Covers all necessary content and keeps it concise (easy to read too)
• Includes 6 practice exams (3 online, 3 in the book)
• Includes a glossary and MCQs after each chapter
• Has an online prep course that you can access with your PC or phone 📱
  • Their interactive online software has practice questions, a personalized study plan, practice tests, flashcards, and even a game center 🎮

• The questions are slightly easy compared to what you actually see on the AP Exam
• There aren't many tips in terms of how to approach the MCQs or FRQs
• Elite version ($21) is slightly more expensive than Princeton's premium version ($17) 💰

3) Barron's Test Prep

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• Lots of practice tests to hone in your exam skills ❓
• They also have an online portal to continue your studying on
• Lots of test-taking tips
• Questions are harder than the ones on the AP 🤔
  • If you get these right, you'll probably nail the AP questions

• Doesn't provide examples to demonstrate the advice they give
• Less interactive approach to studying (written like a textbook)
• Very content heavy, not many visuals
• Expensive ($23) 💰

Prep book Awards Time

Best Textbook

Myers' Psychology for AP (Second Edition)

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• A table of contents is included and shows how the textbook is aligned with the CED 🔖
• Includes a timeline of psychology milestones in the beginning of the book
• It includes MCQs and FRQs at the end of each chapter and unit ❓
• Lots of helpful visuals and tables that summary information well 👀
• Includes tips, tricks and different ways to approach a topic💡
• Points out vocabulary terms on the side of the page
• Includes an AP style exam and glossary
• Not too expensive to rent!
  • Plus, there are PDF versions of this textbook online 🖥️

• Doesn't include answers to all questions in the textbook
• Could be a little hard to read in some sections
• Expensive to buy 💰

Closing Thoughts