How I got an 800 on SAT II Chemistry--Tips!

I think tearing out the periodic table is not permitted. Usually a line beside the periodic table says “DO NOT detach from test book”. And if you are found tearing the table, the test supervisor might well disqualify you and your scores may be cancelled.

Advice from one who got 800 in Chemistry:

  1. Do more practice, and memorize the atomic mass of the elements along the way. At least to the nearest whole number: for example C-12, H-1, N-14, O-16, and so on. These are the most commonly seen elements in the test; if you memorize them, you’ll save the trouble of turning the pages in the test book to find them in the table.

  2. Recite the first 20 elements, from No. 1 to No. 20. H He Li Be B C N O F Ne Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar K Ca. These elements are high-frequency elements, i.e. they are more commonly tested than are the rest of the elements in the periodic table. More importantly, photographically remember the locations of these 20 elements in the table. When the test asks you about them, quickly look at this photograph in your mind.

  3. Don’t worry too much about electronegativity, atomic/ionic radii, etc. You’ll need to label the trends of these things on the table, but questions asking about them are rare (by rare, I mean usually 2-3 questions every test). If you just want to save 2-3 questions worth of time, the danger of tearing out the table outweighs the mere time-saving benefit it’ll bring you.

omgggggg, I followed your advices and tear out the periodic table when I took the SAT
now, my scores are cancelled
well thank you very much for the “WONDERFUL” tips

You can’t tear out the periodic table, but I asked my test coordinator and she gave me a sticky note to bookmark the page it was on. I don’t know how much that helped, but I got a 800 too. Just study hard!

@Izha97 What book(s) did you use? Did you memorize any specific facts like color of compounds or that naclo is in bleach? I really want an 800 but these random facts are really getting me :/.

Quick Question: I’ currently doing IB Chemistry SL, and quite frankly I suck at it. Anyhow, I’m planning on taking the SAT Chemistry subject test later this year. What’s my best shot at an 800? And Barron’s or Kaplan?

Hey! First of all thank you for posting such good tipps! I am aiming at about 780 on my chemistry SAT and am having some difficulties. As a Student in Germany, our high school courses are quite different. The only topics we covered from the SAT are bases and acids as well as organic carbons. As such I could use some help with the various tests for chemicals. We don’t have practical chemistry, so I only know very few. It would be awsome if you could post a list with the names of very important reactions and I’ll check them out. I apologize for any grammatical or spelling mistakes and am looking forward to an answer! Greeings!

They don’t let me rip it out:( the page itself said do not tear out of the book and the proctor said not to

MODERATOR’S NOTE:
The original poster has not been here in over 6 years, so no need to ask questions. Old threads should be used for research only, but should not be resurrected. Closing.