Hello everyone,
I’m going to be a junior this August and I will be taking both AP Chemistry and AP Physics 1.
My school offers an AP Chemistry course but not AP Physics, so I’ll be self-studying for AP Physics 1.
And to be honest, our school does not have the best AP teachers so I can predict that the AP Chemistry course is pretty much going to be useless and not helpful.
Because of that! this summer I am planning to buy some prep books that can help me self-study.
Please recommend me 2 prep books for AP Chem and 2 for AP Physics 1!!
I know that the AP Chemistry curriculum changed last year, so I want the book that fits the best w/ that curriculum (I’ve heard that PR and Barrons are the best so far?) Same thing for AP Physics 1. I need something that fits w/ the curriculum (the Big Ideas, etc) and the ones that have practice tests that are similar to the actual tests.
Please recommend me 2 books for each of the subjects!!
Plus, are there any tips for self studying them effectively?
Thank you!!
P.S.
** I took the AP Biology this year. It was kind of easy (although I think I did not do well on the actual test;
Is the new AP Chemistry test similar to the new AP Biology test?
** I’m an international student sorry for my English ><
Honestly, it doesn’t matter what AP test you take. To review, READ THE CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK. You can download it from College Board. Trust me, it works. I know they are long, but they have MC questions and FRQs that are exactly like the test. I took AP Chemistry this year, and one of the questions was almost straight off the curriculum framework.I used Barron’s and Princeton Review as well, but honestly, they didn’t do crap.
However, throughout the year, the best review for AP Chemistry is NMSI AP Chemistry with Renee McCormick. She is funny, and she works through several previous AP Chemistry free response questions. Better yet, her lectures are free online.
Lastly, the weekend before the AP Chemistry exam, watch Bozeman AP Chemistry videos. I literally got 7 questions right because of him.
As for the AP Biology test versus AP Chemistry test, they are completely different. I didn’t think I did well on Bio and I ended up getting a 5 (I took it last year). I thought Chemistry was much easier- I’ll see how I did.
Hope this helps
Thanks for your advice!
I actually read the curriculum framework (I think it’s called the course description?) and it actually did help me for AP this year (especially World History).
I also watched Bozeman and he did really help. I guess I have to check out NMSI AP chem too! 