These classes are absolutely killing me…
I’m currently doing the Princeton Review practice books and almost crying in frustration because I’m getting like 1-3 wrong per page and having to go back to the content review to see how to do things when I’ve already read it.
On top of that, BOTH of my finals are Thursday. This Thursday. ON THE SAME DAY. I’m only about halfway done with the calc book and 1/3 of the chem book, so I’m going to fail both of those exams.
I got a 55% on a practice MC test in chem prior to me doing the book (So that’s like a 3-4), but I didn’t do any free response, and those are what usually kill me.
I took 2 calc tests and got 1’s on both. The main problem is that my teacher isn’t reviewing anything; just giving us practice test after practice test, which doesn’t help.
I need at least a 4 on the calc AP exam so I don’t have to re-do everything from AB when I go to BC next year, and I would really like a 4-5 in Chem, but I know that probably won’t happen…
So what’s the best method to prepare for these exams, besides doing the book?
I’m not sure specifically for those classes since I haven’t taken them yet, but review all your notes. There’s not much else besides just reviewing everything you’ve learned. When you get something wrong and go back to the content review, make sure you fully understand how to do it. Don’t make the same mistakes. If you take the time and make sure that you know each topic, you’ll start making less mistakes. Also, if you like listening or watching videos for examples, Khan Academy has chemistry videos separated in different topics and also an AP Chemistry section with free response questions. Good luck!
What @3puppies said is true. A 3 won’t kill you. I don’t know about those specific books in relation to AP question accuracy.
Since your teacher isn’t reiewig, you should do it on your own. If you don’t like the way the book writes it, you need to review on your own. Google review materials for the exams, there are surely lessons online you can sign up for to review. There are also released exams from previous years which are WAY better than what most books can provide… If CollegeBoard doesn’t have them for free, there’s bound to be a pirated copy floating somewhere online.
I ended up getting a 75% on my calc final (It had a MAJOR curve), and a 50% on my Chem final (It was meant to act like the real AP exam, so a 50% is a 3, which isn’t bad).
Don’t worry too much about chem. The curve has been pretty generous since the exam was revised, and 55% will usually be a high 3/low 4. Pass rate is exceptionally low so it won’t hurt you if you don’t get a 5.
I’m taking this AP too and I’m actually feeling pretty confident, but I’m in your situation with world history particularly on the essays
