So I just got a 70 on my AP Chem test over thermodynamics and usually my grades are always high A’s, I just don’t get this topic. Basically my question is, has anyone gotten super disappointing grades in the class and still managed to pull a 4+ on the ap exam? And also, is AP chem supposed to be a class where everything is easy, or is it a hard ap? I’m just really stressed out because science is supposed to be my thing and chemistry is super important, especially for people interested in tbe medical field, like me.
Calm down. One test doesn’t automatically kill your chances at a 4.
It’s not supposed to be easy, but that doesn’t mean you accept subpar grades without a fight 
Figure out what went wrong and kick the next exam’s butt.
^ They’re totally right.
AP Chem isn’t supposed to be easy! You’ll find some people on CC that say it “was a breeze” but most people aren’t born spitting AP Chem facts. To me, Chem and Physics seem like the more challenging APs, only because you have to combine theory with math–it’s not just memorization. Don’t feel too discouraged. I highly recommend using any AP review books to study throughout the year.
Can you form a study group with some of your classmates? I assume some of them did better on the test?
I TA for an AP Chem class and took the class last year. I earned a 91.2% and a 95.6% in first and second semester respectively. I got a 5 on the AP test, which I am almost certain I got an 85+/100 raw score on. As for your situation, it is not uncommon. I’ve seen probably 100+ D’s and F’s on various assessments 11 weeks into the semester for my class of 31. However, our average “5” rate is around 40%of the 210+ people that take the test every year. >95% of people pass the test. Just because you fail one part of the AP Chem curriculum does not mean you are doomed to not get a 4 on the exam. I got a C- on my thermodynamics quiz when I took the class (ok, I got a 98 on the exam, but that’s irrelevant) and still did very well for myself. At this point in the semester, it may be worrisome, so if you are anxious, just schedule an appointment with your teacher to talk through the rest of the semester’s plan.
I’m in AP Chem, class is renowned for being hardest class in my school. Its very common in my class to get C’s, actually C’s are good grades in that class to be frank. But one test score does not determine your AP exam score.
If you are not understanding the material, don’t come onto C.C and ask if thats normal, we don’t go to your school, we don’t know, not all teaching standards for the class are the same, go ask your teacher questions and clarify what you are not understanding. Frankly it doesn’t matter if a C is normal or not, if you lower your standards to what is normal you will never rise above normal. And who wants to be normal?
Be the best you can be, focus on your grades not others. Go ask your teacher questions on what you don’t understand, watch Bozeman videos, Khan Academy, clean up your misunderstanding on the subject, and then continue. You got a C on test, don’t come here and ask if thats normal, that isn’t going to make your next test score better, go find out what you didn’t understand. That way you do understand the material, and do well on the AP Exam.
The AP Exam tests your comprehension of the material, a test in class is not reflective of that, but your lack on understanding on the topic is. If you need help then come here and ask for what websites or books would assist you best. But don’t come and ask if thats normal, because then you are content to being NORMAL. If we say a ‘C’ is normal, then you are going to accept C’s as your grade, if that is what you want, then by all means ask away on the normalcy of your grade.
Or… go figure out what you did wrong and fix it. Don’t settle for normal, settle for the grade that you want in the class and strive for it. Settle for the score you want on the AP Exam, and go for it, not… normal. Now, make your choice. If you want help everyone here is more than willing to give advice, but don’t ask what is normal. That is idiocy in its prime.
Calm the heck down.
@bodangles I am calm, but honestly I do detest when people ask about what is normal. You can not honestly tell me thats not an idiotic question. The real world doesn’t work that way, and the more teens delude themselves into believing that, the harder it will be when they enter the real world.
No, it’s not idiotic to ask a question about school on a site intended for questions about schools. If you “detest” OP using CC for its intended purpose, there’s an exit button in the corner of your browser that you are free to use.
@hailey5799 Sorry to have offended you or compelled you to write that, but I just want to clarify in no way does my obviously poorly worded “idiotic” question reflect my personality. In absolutely no way do I strive to be normal and my actions, grades, extracurriculars, and summers reflect that. I simply was very stressed that I would get such an aberrational, low grade in a subject I love and thought I knew well, wanted to make sure that AP Chem wasn’t supposedly one of those “easy APs,” and wanted to see if my gap of understanding on thermodynamics would affect my chances at a 4+. I appreciate your tips, just wanted to make sure you knew I wasn’t trying to display “idiocy at its prime.”
@bodangles @mommdc @SippinCoffee @AMan236 Thank you all so much for your comments, suggestions, and seriously helpful statistics ( @basedchem !!) . I definitely feel more calm and focused now!
@hailey5799 The only idiot I see here is you. Don’t project judgments onto others using your own narrow worldview, please. Every person, class, teacher, and school is different. Unless you are in OP’s AP Chem class, you have no right to speak about the “idiocy” you see.
@samsunguser I didn’t mean to offend you, I do go off on a tangent at times. I do not consider you idiotic, as I do not judge people I honestly have never met. I do consider the question a bit idiotic, not because you’re asking it, but because as I interpreted it, you were lowering your standards, and it honestly is a shame when I see people do that. No one should lower their standards and accept anything less than their best. I wish you the best honestly, and understand that AP Chem is a hard course as I am currently taking it, and was giving my opinion on the issue. I do apologize if I came off as very harsh.
@basedchem Frankly it was my interpretation of the question being asked and I gave my opinion, I am so sorry that did not agree with your views. I would appreciate if you would not categorize me so ‘narrowly’ because I gave my opinion and it came off harsh, thank you very much. I don’t pull punches’, I give it how I see it, if you disagree that is fine, but all means, but don’t come and insult me by calling my narrow minded because I gave my opinion regardless of how harsh it was or not.
My son was deemed the king of chemistry by his AP chem teacher, nailing every test and doing very very well… Except in thermodynamics and IMF. Those he had trouble with. He got a 5 on the AP test.
You don’t have to be an expert in all areas, in order to do well on the AP test. Move on and do well in the rest of the class. And yes, according to my kid the class was hard and took a lot of work.
Omg, a C is not failing (for a test). AP Chemistry is my favorite subject, While I did get an A+ and more in thermodynamics (I don’t know why, I just rocked that subject), I did do poorly on my first two tests (First test was a C, second test was a D). I still have an A. EXPECT Cs ON SOME TESTS. It will literally only get harder with AP Chemistry. It’s a tough class. So, you are not the only one who got a C or will get a C on tests. It probably is weird to get such a poor grade on a test, especially if you have been receiving As and Bs for most classes, but this will be a tough course 