Any Chem SAT II veterans?

<p>Hey, so I'm taking the Chemistry SAT II June 4th and I am a sophomore in Honors Chem. I'm doing it this year because I don't want to take AP Chem next year (too many other AP's). Since we didn't cover everything that's on the SAT in class, I got the Princeton Review book to prepare for it and I've been studying diligently for a couple weeks now. I took a couple of practice tests and my scores were 680 and 700. This is weird for me because I hate chem (lol) and it's probably my worst subject. So it'd be amazing if I could get a 700 or higher on the real test. So yeah, basically my question is, is the actual test harder/easier/the same as the practice tests from review books? Thanks so much!</p>

<p>I was getting 750 - 780 with the Princeton Review Book. Then, I got an 800 on the real thing. IMO, the PR book is just slightly more difficult than the real thing. However, it is the most accurate review book in predicting your score, of course, after the Official SAT Subject Test book from CB.</p>

<p>Yeah, can anyone tell me what topic was the hardest on the May SAT II Chem test? I have taken AP Chem but am still very very scared…</p>

<p>I heard the Chem SAT is easy compared to the AP Chem test so I think you are all set! Don’t worry haha.</p>

<p>I took AP Chem, didn’t prepare for the SAT at all, and got a 750. It’s not bad, but the “CE” section probably got me.</p>

<p>The MC section is ridiculously easy when compared to AP, but you should look over the “CE” section since it may be confusing. As for practice tests, try taking the official one included in the blue book.</p>

<p>The T,T,CE questions definitely separate the 750’s from the 800’s. They require both a vast knowledge of chemistry principles and an understanding of those principles.</p>

<p>Other than that, the Subject Test is a bit more lab-heavy, but nothing outrageous like the random questions on the Physics tests.</p>

<p>@pi: what labs specifically?</p>

<p>I’m currently in AP Chem as a junior, and I took Honors Chem last year.</p>

<p>I took the SAT II in May 'cause it was the same week of the AP Chem test. Starting 2 weeks before the test, I read/highlighted/took notes in my AP Chem PR book and did one of the practice tests in there. I did about 4 released AP Chem exams. I usually scored around 80% on the released exams. (You need roughly 75% on the MC to get a 5 on AP Chem.) After the AP Chem exam, I was pretty sure I got a 5. Between the AP and the SAT II, I did the practice Qs on the CB website and the practice exam in the Official SAT Subject Tests Study Guide. On the latter, I think I scored a 770 or a 780. I somewhat skimmed PR again just to keep things fresh in my mind. After I took the SAT II, I was pretty sure I did most of the Qs right but I wasn’t completely sure of myself because I didn’t thoroughly check each Q (time constraint). I expected 750+, but definitely not the 800, so I was pleasantly surprised :)</p>

<p>As for tips and tricks, I genuinely like chemistry and reading PR is actually kinda fun for me. Make sure you understand all the concepts (i.e. free energy, electrochem), and you should be able to figure most things out. Make sure you’re familiar with all 3 Q types (matching, CE, and MC).</p>

<p>Hope this helps!</p>

<p>i normally got around high 600s to low 700s (680 - 730) and got 780 on real thing</p>

<p>princeton review is harder than the real thing</p>

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<p>May 2011 was very lab-equipment heavy. But in reality, CB can throw whatever **** they want at you.</p>

<p>Took my first barons test and got a seventy raw score which can is 750-780 or 780-800. Does that mean I am in good shape?
Also pi, was the lab equipment easy (like crucible, tongs, etc.)
Also do we need to know colors of flames and precipitated, etc. (Like u need to know for AP test). </p>

<p>Sent from my Desire HD using CC App</p>

<p>3.14159, what random questions were you referring to on physics? I thought the May one was straightforward.</p>

<p>Was is more math or concept?</p>

<p>concept definitely</p>

<p>I love concepts. If I studied for AP chem, should I be fine with this?</p>

<p>If you have an A in AP Chem you should be fine.</p>

<p>Nice to hear.</p>

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<p>I think we got some burets, pipets, etc. on May 2011. It wasn’t any crazy like a centrifuge but not as easy as tongs.</p>

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<p>I don’t think you do, but it wouldn’t hurt to know them.</p>

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<p>I didn’t take May 2011 Physics, so maybe you got fewer random questions. But my friend mentioned that the test wasn’t easy and that waves/optics were more heavily covered than he had liked (but he still got a 790, so who knows).</p>

<p>Wow thanks! Btw, I just took another PR test and got a 720 and I still haven’t read some of the sections. Yay.
But ugh I don’t like the lab questions. We literally have done like 2 labs in my chem class this year so I wouldn’t be prepared at all…</p>