<p>So after reading thru many of the threads, I crossed out barrons (OVER DIFFUICULT and superflous info) and PR (basic and not detailed enough) as possibilities. That leaves me with either Petersons or 5 Steps to a 5. Which book is better? I am looking for a book that can complement my studying during the school year and also containing realistic practice test questions.</p>
<p>I got a Peterson's book from my library, and I didn't like it much. So if you are only picking between Petersons or 5 Steps to a 5, use 5 Steps to a 5. </p>
<p>Uh, I actually think Princeton Review is the best review book for Chem. I sat in a book store and read at least a chapter and did some practice questions from every single AP chem review book there were. If you are looking for great practice test questions, PR is the way to go.</p>
<p>Bump!!!!!!</p>
<p>I have a similar question.
I have not taken chem before in my life. I'm supposed to take chem honors this year [soph], but I dont want to waste time and want to go straight into AP chem, but i need some basic knowledge for that.
Is PR AP chem good for beginners?</p>
<p>Selena731, if I were you, I would take regular Chem first. AP chem is very difficult without prior knowledge because the course builds on prior knowledge of chemical prinicpals. It would not be a waste of time to take chem honors and then AP chem. You will probably be more successful during the exam.</p>
<p>Even if I self study the normal course?</p>
<p>For my school, it doesn't matter.
We only have AP and normal. So.. AP usually teaches even the basics.</p>
<p>You would probably be fine, though you'd most likely need to dedicate more time to chem.</p>
<p>I agree with popcornboy. Taking a non-AP chem first is not a waste of time, especially that you are taking honors. Some of the concepts in chem is hard to self study. But if you really want to go with self study, don't use PR. PR (or any prep books) is better to use as a review. I would say use a textbook of some kind. Review books are designed to reteach.</p>
<p>It is quite a bit to self study. You would need to devote quite a bit of time to studying. It also helps to have a teacher to ask questions if you are confused about something. Sometimes science text books don't make complete sense until it explained by an actual person. I would just take ap chem as a junior. That is what I did. Got a 3 on the exam and that was with taking a year of regular chem first, was hoping for a 4 but I'm ok with it.</p>
<p>I have a college grad cousin, who helps me alot with stuff i don't understand. But it's just that I've read other threads and saw how people get in good colleges, for example, Caltech (for which I'm most likely shooting, if not Harvard), have taken around 10 APs. Not only those stats got them in, they also minimize people's struggles in the college. I'm not completely sure though.</p>
<p>The number of APs you take is not as important for admissions as other things are, such as SAT scores, GPA, Extra Curricular Activities.</p>
<p>selena, I think it would look more impressive to colleges if you took both reg chem and ap chem. It shows you have a firm foundation in chemistry.</p>
<p>haha woah my thread is getting owned...
Selena731, I share the same opinion as the other posters, you should definately take a first year chem class be4 you attempt AP. In my school, the course will review the basics, but they SPEED THRU them. Unless you are super genius, I do not recommend it. You rather build a strong foundation before you explore the topics with much more depth (which is what AP Chem is, a second yr chem course that extends on the regular chem curriculum)</p>
<p>Now, can yall help me pick a book lol?</p>
<p>lol sorry.
I'm getting your thread more comments =P
But thanks for responces! I'll start with normal chem and see how it goes...
As for book, I'm prbly the wrong person to ask, but from all the threads I've read, I've concluded that Kaplan and PR is a no-no.</p>
<p>Well, I'm going with 5 Steps, because I was flipping through books last June for the upcoming year and it seemed to really talk about things in simple ways that help you remember.</p>
<p>Petersons! </p>
<p>It has everything that it's a text book, but it summarizes it all up so it's not nearly as long/wordy/annoying. It's direct and to the point while covering everything you need to know for the test.</p>
<p>@ Selena731: Definitely take the normal course first. It may seem like a waste of time, but the real waste of time would be trying to decipher the AP coursework if you are learning it for the first time, especially if you've still got other classes to worry about.</p>
<p>@ sushi cutter: I'm looking for a book for chem too, and all I can say is this: DO NOT USE THE AP ACHIEVER. First of all, it's designed to go with this specific textbook, and second, it doesn't even cover half of what's in the textbook anyway. The textbook/review book combo is required by my teacher for the class, and already I hate them both. I'm looking for something else as well. I'd just recommend not using this one. I know no one's mentioned it yet, but I hope no one ever finds it. It's not worth it.</p>