<p>I am kinddaaaa scared. I am going straight into AP chemistry without other Chem classes. Tips for doing well on tests (like what I should focus on doing) or any other things that I should know? </p>
<p>I don’t mean to intimidate you, but jumping straight into AP Chem without prior chemistry instruction is going to be pretty rough :P</p>
<p>Right now, I wouldn’t worry so much about the tests… I would be most concerned with studying all the basics of chemistry. AP Chem is a really fast-paced course, and there won’t be time for you to learn any regular chemistry stuff in class. Grab a book and start reviewing, even if it’s a quick review. Start memorizing common ions, charges, and solubility. Practice writing and balancing chemical equations. You’ll need as much prior knowledge as you can get!</p>
<p>In class, ask your chem teacher lots of questions whenever you’re confused. Make sure you have complete understanding before moving on, or else it will come back to bite you in the butt!</p>
<p>Form a study group if you can; I feel like it’s vital to success in this class. It’s really helpful when you have several minds working together.</p>
<p>Here’s a quick test… Look at these terms: Stoichiometry, net ionic equations, mol (6.02 * 10^23), ionic bonds, percent composition, empirical formula. Would you be able to thoroughly explain all of these things to me? If so, then I’d say you’re ready for AP Chem. If not, study study study. I cannot stress that enough.</p>
<p>Sorry if I sound super tough haha, but that’s just the reality of it. Kids who take Honors Chemistry still have trouble with AP Chem – the class is full of challenging content and it will be much more challenging for those who haven’t taken beginners’ chem.</p>
<p>Good luck! :)</p>
<p>No, thank you for the advice. I needed that push because I have been halfheartedly reading the textbook. </p>
<p>I agree with everything the other user had said.
I took honors chem and I found that class difficult. But I passed both semesters (had an A first, B second)
I would go in for help everyday after school if I could. I would practice problems (make sure you study a week in advance before the test), as well as redoing ones that you don’t get right.
It’s all about practice, reviewing, and understanding. The math in chemistry can be pretty simple, but the concepts behind it can be very complex. Be sure to question everything, ESPECIALLY when it comes to the equilibrium & thermochemistry unit…eghhh.
Mol problems were fun for me and pretty easy, especially stoichiometry… But then again I was only in honors chem. </p>
<p>It’s okay if you’re going straight into AP, you will struggle but as long as you stay on top of things you will be okay. I went into honors with the only knowledge I knew about chemistry was from 8th grade general science.</p>
<p>why not just take Chemistry Honors first?</p>
<p>I was hoping to take Honors instead, but that class was axed last year because our school was the only one that still offered it in the whole district. So I only had the choice of normal Chem or AP. I didn’t want to take normal chem first, then AP, so I just chose AP. It’s not my first AP science though, I already took AP Bio and AP Physics B, so I am not exactly going in blind.</p>