AP Psychology Premium, 2026 by Allyson J. Weseley Ed.D. & Robert McEntarffer Ph.D. Review: A Focused, Expert-Backed AP Exam Prep Guide

Published by Barron's Educational Services on July 1, 2025, AP Psychology Premium, 2026 is a test-prep guide co-authored by Allyson J. Weseley Ed.D. And Robert McEntarffer Ph.D. — both identified by the publisher as AP experts. The book is designed specifically for the current AP Psychology exam, with content review described by the publisher as tailored to the most recent course outline. It includes three full practice tests, with additional online practice available alongside the print volume. The book's scope is positioned as comprehensive: content review, scoring guidance to build confidence, and practical exam-day tips and strategies. Barron's frames the package as the equivalent of "having a trusted tutor by your side" — a description that reflects the guide's ambition to serve students across the full arc of preparation, from first review through final rehearsal.

One of the genuine differentiators for this edition is the authorship. Allyson J. Weseley holds an Ed.D. And Robert McEntarffer holds a Ph.D., and both are presented by Barron's as AP subject specialists — not generalist test-prep writers. This matters in a crowded prep-book market where generic content can underserve students facing a discipline-specific exam. The publisher's positioning as a source of "trusted content from AP experts" signals that the review material is intended to reflect the actual curricular framework of the AP Psychology course rather than a broad survey of general psychology. Students preparing for an exam governed by the College Board's specific course outline benefit from authors who work within that framework directly.

A recurring emphasis in the publisher's description is currency. The edition is explicitly described as "reflective of the latest course outline and exam," a meaningful claim in AP prep publishing, where course frameworks can shift and an outdated guide can misdirect student effort. The College Board has revised the AP Psychology course framework in recent years, and the publisher's assertion that this edition tracks those changes directly addresses the primary concern any diligent student or educator would have when choosing a prep resource. The inclusion of online practice alongside the print tests further extends the book's utility, offering a format that mirrors the digital testing environment students may encounter.

The most concrete structural limitation of this edition is one visible in comparison to its successor: the edition includes three practice tests, while publisher data for the forthcoming edition lists four. Students who prioritize volume of full-length practice — a legitimate strategy for building test stamina — will find the edition offers more in that dimension. Additionally, because this is an annual exam-prep title tied to a specific testing cycle, its shelf life is inherently bounded. The edition is designed for students preparing for the 2025–2026 academic year exam; students purchasing after that cycle closes would be better served by the updated edition. This is a structural feature of the format rather than a flaw in execution, but it is worth naming plainly.

AP Psychology Premium, 2026 is squarely aimed at high school students in grades 10 through 12 enrolled in AP Psychology who are working toward the AP exam. It is designed to function both as a standalone review resource and as a complement to classroom instruction. The Premium designation within Barron's own line signals a more extensive package than entry-level prep titles, making it a reasonable fit for students who want depth of review alongside practice-test volume. Educators recommending supplementary resources and parents supporting students through AP coursework will find a well-credentialed, publisher-backed option here — one explicitly updated for the current exam rather than recycled from a prior cycle.