🧠 2024 AP Psychology: U.S. vs International Exam Comparison

As AP Psychology continues to grow in global popularity, the 2024 exams revealed distinct regional approaches to assessment. Here's a breakdown of the key differences between the U.S. and International versions of the AP Psych exam — and what they mean for students preparing in 2025.

📊 Quick Comparison Table

📌 Key Differences

The U.S. version leaned toward traditional AP Psych structure: term recall and basic application. Meanwhile, the International version asked students to apply concepts in less predictable, data-driven, and research-heavy ways.

For example, FRQ 2 in the International exam focused deeply on random assignment, ethical flaws, and confounding variables — areas students often gloss over.

🎯 What This Means for 2025 Students

• Know your terms cold, but also practice applying them to new, complex situations.
• Use both versions’ FRQs to prepare — International FRQs make excellent stretch material.
• Expect more research-heavy content — this trend is expanding across regions.
• Be clear and structured in your writing. Precision earns points.

“Top scorers blend memorization with analytical flexibility — especially in FRQs.”

📚 Best Practice Resources

• Real 2024 MCQ Pack (U.S. + Intl)
• College Board FRQ Archive
• Verywell Mind – Psychology Summaries