EPPP Sections & Domain Weights

By Anders H. Chan, Psy.D. · Updated July 2026

The EPPP Part 1 covers 8 content domains defined by ASPPB. Each domain carries a different weight, meaning some sections contribute more questions to your exam than others. Understanding these weights helps you allocate study time where it counts most.

Key numbers

225 total questions (175 scored, 50 unscored pretest items)
4 hours 15 minutes
Passing score: 500 scaled score in most jurisdictions

ASPPB Domain Weight Percentages

The approximate question counts below are based on 175 scored items. ASPPB sets these percentages from its Job Task Analysis, so the exact number of items per domain can vary slightly across exam forms.

#	Domain	Weight	~Questions
1	Biological Bases of Behavior	10%	18
2	Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior	13%	23
3	Social and Cultural Bases of Behavior	11%	19
4	Growth and Lifespan Development	12%	21
5	Assessment and Diagnosis	16%	28
6	Treatment, Intervention, Prevention, and Supervision	15%	26
7	Research Methods and Statistics	7%	12
8	Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues	16%	28

Source: ASPPB EPPP Candidate Handbook (January 2026 edition). Approximate question counts assume 175 scored items and may shift slightly between exam forms. Last verified July 2026.

What the Weights Mean for Your Study Plan

Assessment and Diagnosis (16%), Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues (16%), and Treatment (15%) together account for 47% of your scored questions. These three domains should get the largest share of your study time, especially Ethics, which many candidates underestimate because they assume common sense will carry them.

Research Methods (7%) is the smallest domain, but candidates who skip it entirely often regret it. A few focused study sessions on research design and basic statistics can secure those 12 questions without a massive time investment.

The most effective strategy: diagnose your weak domains first, then allocate study time proportionally, spending more time where you score lowest and where the exam weight is highest.

What Each Domain Covers

Domain 1: Biological Bases of Behavior (10%)

Key topics: Neuroanatomy, neurotransmitters, psychopharmacology, neuroimaging, biological bases of psychopathology, behavioral genetics

Domain 2: Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior (13%)

Key topics: Learning theory, memory, attention, language, emotion, motivation, perception, cognitive development

Domain 3: Social and Cultural Bases of Behavior (11%)

Key topics: Social cognition, group dynamics, attitudes, prejudice, cultural factors, diversity, social influence, organizational behavior

Domain 4: Growth and Lifespan Development (12%)

Key topics: Developmental theories, attachment, cognitive development stages, aging, developmental psychopathology, resilience

Domain 5: Assessment and Diagnosis (16%)

Key topics: Psychometric theory, intelligence testing, personality assessment, neuropsychological assessment, DSM diagnostic criteria, clinical interviewing

Domain 6: Treatment, Intervention, Prevention, and Supervision (15%)

Key topics: Evidence-based treatments, CBT, psychodynamic therapy, humanistic approaches, group therapy, prevention models, crisis intervention, treatment planning, supervision models

Domain 7: Research Methods and Statistics (7%)

Key topics: Research design, statistical analysis, psychometrics, reliability, validity, meta-analysis, program evaluation, epidemiology

Domain 8: Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues (16%)

Key topics: APA Ethics Code, confidentiality, informed consent, dual relationships, competence, mandated reporting, forensic issues, professional standards