Introduction to Educational Psychology

Knowledge and Skills Required

Questions on the Introduction to Educational Psychology exam require test takers to demonstrate one or more of the following abilities:

• Knowledge and comprehension of basic facts, concepts, and principles
• Association of ideas with given theoretical positions
• Awareness of important influences on learning and instruction
• Familiarity with research and statistical concepts and procedures
• Ability to apply various concepts and theories as they apply to particular teaching situations and problems

The subject matter of the Introduction to Educational Psychology exam is drawn from the following topics. The percentages next to the main topics indicate the approximate percentage of exam questions on that topic.

Cognitive Perspective (15%)

• Attention and perception
• Memory
• Complex cognitive processes (e.g., problem solving, transfer, and conceptual change)
• Applications of cognitive theory
• Language

Behavioral Perspective (11%)

• Classical conditioning
• Operant conditioning
• Schedules of reinforcement
• Applications of behavioral perspectives

Development (15%)

• Cognitive
• Social/emotional
• Moral
• Gender identity/sex roles
• Language acquisition

Motivation (10%)

• Social-cognitive theories of motivation (e.g., attribution theory, expectancy-value theory, goal orientation theory, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, self-efficacy, and self-determination theory)
• Learned helplessness
• Teacher expectations/Pygmalion effect
• Anxiety/stress
• Applications of motivational theories

Individual Differences (17%)

• Intelligence
• Genetic and environmental influences
• Exceptionalities in learning (e.g., giftedness, learning disabilities, and behavior disorders)
• Ability grouping and tracking

Testing (12%)

• Classroom assessment (e.g., formative and summative evaluation, and grading procedures)
• Norm- and criterion-referenced tests
• Test reliability and validity
• Bias in testing
• High-stakes assessment/standards-based testing
• Interpretation of test results (e.g., descriptive statistics and scaled scores)
• Use and misuse of assessments

Pedagogy (10%)

• Planning instruction for effective learning
• Writing objectives to align instruction with standards
• Social constructivist pedagogy (e.g., scaffolding)
• Cooperative/collaborative learning
• Classroom management
• Technology in education
• Differentiated instruction

Research Design and Analysis (5%)

• Research design (e.g., longitudinal, experimental, case study, and quasi-experimental)
• Research methods (e.g., survey, observation, and interview)
• Interpretation of research (e.g., correlation versus causation, and descriptive statistics)

Multiculturalism (5%)

• Ethnic, racial, and cultural issues
• Socioeconomic status (SES)
• Bilingualism/English as a second language
• Gender differences
• Immigration/social change
• Culturally responsive teaching

Score Information

ACE Recommendation for Introduction to Educational Psychology

Note: Each institution reserves the right to set its own credit-granting policy, which may differ from the American Council on Education (ACE). Contact your college to find out the score required for credit and the number of credit hours granted.