<p>I'm taking an accelerated Chemistry class sophomore year. In my circumstances I won't be switching to the AP course offered.</p>
<p>I know that the basic Chem course wouldn't cover everything in the exam, so I"m hoping that either Princeton or Barrons would fill that hole.</p>
<p>Can anyone offer suggestions? Thanks CCers</p>
<p>Nope. Honestly, my school textbook (a AP-specific textbook) did not help me in the slightest. Both the 5 Steps to a 5 and PR review books I had were insufficient as well. The only thing I relied on was my AP Chem class, and I got a 5. I’m not sure how one can pull this off when not even in an AP Chem class. Just make sure you have a good textbook.</p>
<p>Barron’s + Chemistry the Central Science(brown) or Zumdahl Chemistry = 5 dude.</p>
<p>AP Chem is easy. dont sweat on it.</p>
<p>Ahh two opposite responses. Thanks for the input though</p>
<p>Anymore opinions? 50/50 on it so far.</p>
<p>Hope my school could lend me an AP chem textbook</p>
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<p>Lol, I don’t know if you noticed, but the other person who responded apparently attends TJHSST, which…is a completely different scenario. As I said, my school doesn’t use a good textbook, but I have heard that Zumdahl’s is the AP Chemistry bible. I’m not sure if Barron’s is good for Chemistry as I haven’t heard anyone from CC recommend it, but I think Peterson’s was very thorough if I recall correctly. AP Chemistry could be easy for some people, but I personally would find it very difficult without a good textbook OR without an actual AP class with a good teacher, two things you don’t have in this scenario.</p>
<p>Thanks for the informative reply sd6.</p>
<p>I’m not sure what TJHSST is, but I"m guessing its a different high school curriculum than normal.</p>
<p>Our school has the Zumdahl, so I’ll check that out later if I can borrow one. I just did a search from old topics about AP Chem. It had guys spend a chapter a week on Zumdahl +Prep book and it worked out with a 4/5. At least it provides me with some motivation :)</p>
<p>You can certainly do it. Chemistry: The Central Science is a great book. Also get 5 steps to a 5 and barron’s. 5 steps helps with studying, Barron’s helps with overhard practice tests (if you get a 5 on barron’s you’ll for sure get one on the real thing.) I think sd6 is wrong, I took Honors Chem and 5’d the AP test as did many other sophomores in my school (we are also only allowed to take Honors, not AP science, in sophomore year for some reason). You’ll probably learn most material in class, look at 5 steps to figure out what AP stuff is not covered in class, read the textbook I suggested to learn those topics and practice them, as well as using the prep books, and take tons of practice tests. 5 guaranteed.</p>
<p>Thanks for the encouragement and motivation bobtheboy.</p>
<p>And what do you know, I have the Zumdahl Chem Book right in front of me now. Woohoo</p>
<p>Any other experiences or advice would make me a happy man</p>
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<p>That’s pretty impressive. I was just speaking from experience within the context of my own HS. We were actually enrolled in an AP class and I was the only 5. But, I guess if the OP works hard like the people at your school seem to do, he will be fine.</p>
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<p>TJHSST has been ranked the #1 public high school in the nation for a few years now. It’s pretty well-known for its rigorous curriculum.</p>
<p>Make sure you have the right Zumdahl, because the Zumdahl book we used in Honors Chem would probably not be sufficient for AP Chem…the guy has written more than one textbook. I liked the AP Edition of Brown’s “Chemistry: The Central Science” because it has plenty of exercises and examples, and it was well-organized overall. There’s also something in the beginning of the book that tells you which lessons you should cover for the AP exam so that you don’t waste your time doing those random chapters on “The Chemistry of the Environment” or whatever…</p>
<p>I don’t think so only because you’re going to have to work on it everyday and idk if you have the willpower to do that. Also, Chem is very abstract, there will be concepts which will make zero sense at first and that’s where a teacher could really help. So unless you’re a child genius with an amazing work ethic, you wont get a 5. I think you can pass and get a 4 but idk about a 5. That’s stretching it.</p>
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<p>I think this poster is also wrong. I think it can be done in 10 weekends if you study about 2-5 hours a day each of these weekends, even if you don’t have a great work ethic. You don’t have to be a genius, or even close to one. You can easily get a 5. You’re already in advanced Chemistry so there are only a few topics you need to learn on your own, and all topics are explained very well by various prep books (such as 5 steps to a 5 or barron’s, although barron’s is sort of overpreparation).</p>
<p>Haha so many ambivalent responses.</p>
<p>Can anyone use their own experience as evidence?</p>
<p>I believe it is sufficient. The books cover what you need to know in a very condensed way. By studying its contents and memorizing the methods, you should be good to go. The biggest advice I can give you is take LOTS of practice tests and questions. Get old AP tests, old FRQ and do questions out of the book. More is better.
I got a 5 with these methods and I hope you do to.</p>
<p>You will be fine. The lab portion is overrated anyways. Get multiple prepbooks (and/or a textbook) and just do the problems. And no, it doesnt require a child genius to get a 5, just a bit of practice.</p>
<p>As long as you have a Zumdahl book and Princeton Review, you’re alright with the AP Chemistry exam.</p>
<p>Depending on how smart you are yes or no.</p>
<p>Is the Princeton Review plus a so-so AP chem class enough to make a 5?</p>