I currently have an 85 in AP Chemistry. I’m the second highest grade in the class right now, but I really really want an A on my transcript for the class. The semester ends in December, so I have 2 months. The semester is about halfway over. I haven’t dropped lower than an 84 this semester, and I actually had an 88 earlier this week. However, I got a D on a portion of a test, which dropped my grade. In comparison to the rest of the class, I actually still got an above average score. Really, it’s mt test average that’s bringing me down. Here are my averages right now:
Labs 92%
Quizzes 93%
Homework 92% (she grades it for accuracy)
Tests 77%
Is it possible for me to get an A, and what are some tips in order for me to do so? Thank you!
I don’t quite know about the ‘can I still’ part since I’m not sure how your teacher factors everything into your grade (for example, in my ap chem class it was 70% tests & quizzes (quiz = 1/2 test), 15% homework, 15% labs). Honestly, you probably can get an A since there’s over 2 months left in the semester, but, again, I sort of need more info to figure that one out.
I don’t know how qualified I am to answer the ‘how to,’ but I did get an A in AP Chem both semesters last year and a 5 on the test so I guess I’ll try? The honest truth is that I didn’t study much for the class and generally sort of just understood it, so feel free to take my advice with a grain of salt. (I’m basing most of my tips off what I’ve learned through ~1 month of struggling through Physics C)
Alright -
1: if you don't get something, read the textbook. I don't know if you're required to read the textbook for your class, in which case this is irrelevant, but my textbook basically sat at home unused all year unless I was confused on something and needed to read it.
2: When in doubt, watch videos on it. Trust me, it helps. I didn't do this much for chem, but Physics C is a struggle and YouTube is currently my survival strategy. Khan Academy videos are nice.
3: If you're messing up on tests a lot, figure out what parts of the test you're messing up and WHY. If it's random mathematical errors and isn't conceptual, you're probably okay (just, you know, be careful). If it IS conceptual, you definitely need to practice stuff. You can either look at textbook questions you haven't already done OR google the topic (make sure you search it with 'ap chem' or something) and find practice questions
4: DO NOT ignore questions on recitations, problems sets, or whatever else if you don't understand them. If you don't get something, ask the teacher, consult the internet, or find a friend. Honestly this is just making sure you can do anything they could throw at you. The minute you think 'well... that's probably not on the test,' it probably is.
5: This isn't really test related, but Homework and Labs are basically average boosters. If it's a lab, do it with your partners, check methods with other groups, etc. My Chem class had a GroupMe which was great; we basically just asked one another a bunch of questions. Overall, you just want your Lab average as close to 100 as possible so it'll bring your grade up. For homework, mine was never graded so idk but I would probably check with a friend for that too.
6: Significant. Figures. The -1s for getting these wrong will eventually add up and it's pretty easy to just check where you're rounding. Bless Physics for not caring.
Well - if that wasn’t the most generic advice then I don’t know what is. If I had better advice I would give it but I really don’t have that much to say.
Thank you! I talked to my AP Chem teacher and she said she certainly believes I can bring it up to an A. She suggests we read the book, and I sometimes do depending on the unit. Our tests are worth 60% of our grade, and that’s what’s really hurting me. I have an A homework average (she grades it) and A quiz & lab average. I have a C+ test average. I have a test next week though, so hopefully I can do well! Thank you so much!
It absolutely depends on how the teachers weighs things like homework and quizzes, and the number of quizzes, tests and homeworks that remain in the marking period.
Thanks guys! Actually my teacher just told me today randomly she wants to / expects to see me get an A in her class, so I have hope! Thank you all so much
