<p>Hi all,
I'm an incoming junior. For the most part, I've decided what classes I want to take this coming fall. However, I'm not sure which of these two classes I should take (as you can tell from the title). I'm also taking AP Physics I this year. From your previous experiences, which one (bio or chem) is easier to get a 5? I know this year more people got 5s in Chem than in Bio(worldwide). I will eventually take both classes, but I just don't know which one I should take first. At my school, I think the actual class of AP Chem is harder than AP Bio, but I will probably get As in either class(my school isn't particularly hard). I will have to study either way. I've gotten straight 5s on my three AP classes my sophomore year. If it helps, I am doing some research in bioinformatics/genomics that involves some chemistry this year and probably the following year. I'm hoping whichever class I take helps me a little with my research, but this is not really of primary concern. Anyway I would appreciate any tips or advice! Have a great rest of the summer guys!</p>
<p>After reading on CC and experiences from my brother( although little bias b/c he’s top 20 USABO), AP biology is a lot easier. Biology help immensely no matter what subject are you studying( unless it is a heavily calculus-based courses.) </p>
<p>Hey @long2181998! Thanks a lot for your advice and prompt reply.</p>
<p>I disagree. Since you are taking a math-based science (physics), I think it would be logical to take AP Chem since you will already be in the same mindset. As far as research goes, I think chemistry will help you more as well-chem is much more logical and hands-on than biology is. </p>
<p>I did extremely well in AP Biology but failed the exam (2). Our teacher did not prepare us for the type of questions that were going to be on it. Generally speaking, our chemistry kids were much more prepared. But of course this was just my school. </p>
<p>AP chem will help you more in college.
Even if you want to become a marine biologist. There’s chemistry in it. Chemistry covers everything. It even looks better to take on college applications.
^^^^ from what everyone and my teacher told me </p>
<p>However I decided to take AP bio, it’s a lot more reading but has less complicated math than AP chem. </p>
<p>I had an A+ in Honors Chemistry, and I got an A-/B in AP Chemistry. I don’t think my teacher was at the highest of quality; I just couldn’t get the material to click for me. If you took Chem/Honors Chem this year, then I’d take AP Chem for your junior year. Skipping a year would be quite detrimental. </p>
<p>I’m an upcoming junior as well and I’m taking AP chem. One of my best friends is taking AP bio. What I’ve heard is that with chem, you either get it or you don’t mixed with memorization but with bio it’s all about memorization. AP bio also supposedly has a lot more homework than AP chem</p>
<p>Thanks for all the great advice. @lovelyshores I don’t plan on being a marine biologist. However, I did get your point. I took Honors/Pre-AP Chemistry this year and got all As. I’ve had the same concern about taking AP Chem a year after as snax03. I am hesitant about taking AP Biology due to the amount of memorization involved. I would prefer taking a class that involves more math. @nickb14 I agree. Physics and chemistry are inextricably linked and there will most definitely be some overlap in the curriculum. Some AP classes really do complement each other. I found taking government and US history together really enhanced my understanding of both subjects and I think taking physics and chem may yield the same result. I’m not sure how pronounced that effect will be with bio and physics, however. lovelyshores mentioned that AP Chemistry is better on your college application. Can anyone explain the rationale behind that? I’m assuming that it’s because chemistry is more math-heavy and seen as a “hard” science and biology is seen as “softer” and more focused on memorization. I’m probably swaying towards chem as of now. Does anyone have any other points supporting biology? </p>
<p>Thanks again for the help guys. </p>
<p>
Pure and utter nonsense. Either is fine.</p>
<p>If you’re planning on taking both, it really does not matter in which order you take them. As far as which is easier to get a 5, they’ve both had pretty abysmal track records since their respective redesigns.</p>
<p>@skieurope
That was just what I’ve been told. It wouldn’t really affect a person much on their college apps if they took AP bio instead, but it would be nicer to see AP Chem.
Of course I didn’t really listen to that advice from others and took AP bio instead 
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<p>& OP, good luck with AP Chem. I was going to take it but last minute I had gone to my counselor and told them to take me out of the class when I started getting D’s on tests from honors chem haha. I’m sure you’ll be fine though seeing you had A’s both semesters. </p>
<p>Hey guys thanks for the help. I’ve decided to take AP Chemistry. The professor I’m working with told me to take AP Chem too. Good luck to anyone taking AP Chem next year. Let’s get them 5s! </p>
<p>I’ve taken both, and got a 3 on chem and a 5 on bio. That being said, I recommend you take AP chemistry or a chemistry course before you take AP bio. A lot of concepts rely on basic chemistry, so it would be advantageous to have some background. For me, Chem was very difficult, as it was my first AP, first experience with chemistry, and math wasn’t my strongest point. But a lot of people do well in chemistry at my school, so I think it’s just putting in the work. Either way, I’m sure you’ll do great on either exam 
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<p>To the person who said to take Chemistry because it’s math based - NO. They changed the format of the exam so it’s mostly information. Our teacher didn’t inform us of this and we went in expecting a math exam and were shocked by the load of information we needed to know. I would still say to take Chemistry first. Chemistry familiarizes you with elements and what THEY ACTUALLY ARE. When I took Biology I would hear Phosphorus and double bonds but didn’t actually understand what they were. But I took AP Chemistry and I now understand what all those terms meant. I took honors biology & Chem the same year so I understood basics. The chemistry exam probably wasn’t that bad but I had next to idea as to what the free response were even asking and I kept a 90% all year long in my class. The multiple choice is easy but the free response is all information with the addition of understanding rates and being able to perform an ICE table and acid base reactions (AB reactions are the worst). Either way you’ll be studying quite a bit of information but most people take chemistry first then biology (AP wise). </p>