<p>Sorry, I know I'm not a parent, but as a high school student similar to your daughter, I know how this feels; oh my first AP bio test as a sophomore, I got a C (and up until that point, I basically didn't get A minuses.) I got a few more C's on tests throughout the year, but the occasional mishap encourages you to work harder; I managed A's both semesters on my report card and a 5 on the AP test. I'm sure that in the scheme of things, your daughter will probably be fine and ultimately successful in AP chem, and if she's willing to take the class on her own volition, I'd say go for it!</p>
<p>I used to teach high school chemistry (not AP). There is nothing that is covered in AP chemistry that requires a preceding chemistry course. If your daughter is highly motivated, she will do just fine. The first test will have covered material that was unfamiliar to her. Once she learns the vocabulary, she will be just fine. (I did the same thing to my son with AP biology, when he was in tenth grade. It took him about a month to catch up. If you have the money and can find a good tutor, two or three sessions might help her catch up a bit faster.)</p>
<p>AP teachers in some districts are given too many students for the available lab space and thus have to get their class numbers down. If you are given a limited lab budget, it's easier to get rid of students than it is to get more lab money.</p>
<p>At the first sign of trouble, get a tutor. Do not wait until she is way behind or has piled up a bunch of bad tests.</p>
<p>We used a tutor who was a young high school chemistry teacher from a nearby high school. D was able to schedule visits before tests, just to make sure she understood everything. It brought her grade up from a low C to a B, and it would have worked out better had we not waited too long to hire the tutor.</p>
<p>That said, AP Chem in grade 10 is awfully ambitious . . . .</p>