AP Biology vs Honors Chem for 11th Grade

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I am not sure what science class I should take this year as a Junior.
Freshman year, I took normal Biology since it was a requirement.
Sophomore year, I took AP Physics 1.
This year, I am at a new school and I was originally planning to take Honors Chemistry so I could take AP Chem next year, but I heard from someone that the chem department at the school isn’t very strong, and she highly recommended I don’t take chem this year, in case I don’t end up doing well with college applications right around the corner.
So, I can either take AP Biology instead, or go with my original plan of Honors Chem.

If I take AP Bio, then I would either take Honors Chem senior year or AP Chem. I really want to take AP Chemistry, but I’m not sure I would be able to take it without a previous chemistry course. My knowledge of chemistry right now is very weak. An added bonus would be I could take the SAT II Biology exam fully prepared, rather than trying to take the SAT II Chem exam without having taken AP Chemistry.

The Honors Chem would be good because I could get a chemistry foundation more quickly because right now, i am not knowledgeable at all in chemistry. But the teacher is really bad I heard.

I’m not sure what I should take. Would you take AP Biology or Honors Chem?

2

Personally, I would go with Honors Chem for a couple of reasons. First, you will probably want an intro chem course even if it’s not a graduation requirement for you. Second, some knowledge of chem is helpful for AP Bio.

Despite what some students say on College Confidential, AP Chemistry is not needed to do well on the SAT Subject Test. It may be helpful, but one can get a great score without it.