The Introduction to Educational Psychology exam covers material that is usually taught in a one-semester undergraduate course in this subject. Emphasis is placed on principles of learning and cognition, teaching methods and classroom management, child growth and development, and evaluation and assessment of learning. The exam contains approximately 100 questions to be answered in 90 minutes.
Questions on the Introduction to Educational Psychology examination require candidates 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 examination is drawn from the following topics. The percentages next to the main topics indicate the approximate percentage of exam questions on that topic.
15% Cognitive Perspective
• Attention
• Memory
• Complex cognitive processes (e.g., problem solving, transfer, conceptual change)
• Applications of cognitive theory
• Language
11% Behavioral Perspective
• Classical conditioning
• Operant conditioning
• Schedules of reinforcement
• Applications of behavioral perspectives
15% Development
• Cognitive
• Social/emotional
• Moral
• Gender identity/gender roles
• Language acquisition
10% Motivation
• Social-cognitive theories of motivation (e.g., attribution theory, expectancy-value theory, goal orientation theory, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, self-efficacy, self-determination theory)
• Learned helplessness
• Teacher expectations/Pygmalion effect
• Anxiety/stress
• Applications of motivational theories
17% Individual Differences
• Intelligence
• Genetic and environmental influences
• Exceptionalities in learning (e.g., giftedness, learning disabilities, behavior disorders)
• Ability grouping and tracking
12% Testing
• Classroom assessment (e.g., formative and summative evaluation, 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, scaled scores)
• Use and misuse of assessments
10% Pedagogy
• 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
5% Research Design and Analysis
• Research design (e.g., longitudinal, experimental, case study, quasi-experimental)
• Research methods (e.g., survey, observation, interview)
• Interpretation of research (e.g., correlation versus causation, descriptive statistics)
5% Multiculturalism
• Ethnic, racial, and cultural issues
• Socioeconomic status (SES)
• Bilingualism/English as a second language
• Gender differences
• Immigration/social change
• Culturally responsive teaching