<p>So I've been going through Barrons and it seems like sooo many problems require intense arithmetic (like mutiplying 42.6 by 67.2 and then dividing by 213). How am I supposed to do this without a calc? Does the real test even have these sort of computation questions?</p>
<p>My son said the Barron’s book was harder than it had to be to successfully prepare for the test. He read only a few of the chapters – when missed questions on practice tests dictated that he needed more review than his Princeton Review book allowed. Still, he was getting 780’s and 800’s on the Barron’s practice tests. I’m not sure if you’re referring to the practice tests or to the problems within the chapters themselves.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>On the actual test, there’s no heavy duty arithmetic. Some percentage and estimation skills help a lot though. I think they just put them in the Barron’s to make sure you understand the concept.</p>
<p>What types of computational problems do they ask? Like percent yield?</p>
<p>Also, I’ve been going through my Barrons review book. Would the test ask you to like write the chemical equations of random reactions? </p>
<p>i.e. Zinc + sulfuric Acid</p>
<p>Cause I would have no idea how to write the products (like Idk how to tell whether it’s synthesis or like single displacement for example)</p>
<p>Well, the whole test is multiple choice, so you wouldn’t have to “write” anything. It could ask you about the products of a reaction like that, though. You have to be able to determine what kind of reaction it is just by looking at the products.</p>
<p>I found this part impossible. I took the test in June, and got a 630, solely because of the math. I simply can’t divide 327 by 213 in thirty seconds without rounding, but rounding won’t help when the answers come down to 48, 49, 50, 51, and 52. I really don’t understand how they expect anyone to do the math on this test.</p>
<p>Agreed. I struggled with it the first time I took it. I did so poorly, I left after it even though I had two more tests to write and the first thing I did when I got home was cancel my scores because I was only able to complete half the test. Word of Advice: NEVER practice with a calculator.</p>
<p>I learned through experience that they would only give you intense calculations like that when there is a huge discrepancy between the answers</p>
<p>For example:</p>
<p>A. 713 moles
B. 71.3 moles
C. 1.13 moles
D. 0.0214 moles
E. 340 moles</p>
<p>Estimation works for this. You just need to know the order of magnitude usually.</p>
<p>I got 800 my second time. Don’t freak out like I did when the proctor told us we weren’t allowed calculators for any non-math test.</p>
<p>@Future</p>
<p>Very nice! Getting 800 seems SO HARD cause you can only miss 2 questions. Would you mind letting me know how you prepared?</p>
<p>Futurephysician is correct regarding the relatively large discrepancies in answer choices with calculated values. The only calculations that I remember completing were relatively basic stoichiometric proportions (limiting reagents, moles produced, and so forth).</p>
<p>Oh, and I prepared exclusively using Sparknotes. The reviews after the concept tutorials were the most helpful and I completed two of the three available practice tests.</p>
<p>mifune</p>
<p>How extensive was ur background in chemistry? did u take AP chem?</p>
<p>Thanks for the kudos!</p>
<p>Honestly? I crammed the week before. I skimmed Kaplan’s and did the practice questions. I did four practice tests. Plus, I learned to pace myself and it helped that my test center had this HUGE digital clock on the wall that told us exactly how many minutes, seconds, and milliseconds we had left, so I never stressed out going OMG I forgot to look at my watch at the beginning of the test - HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE LEFT!?! AHH!!</p>
<p>I also had the best chem teachers ever - they were really tough and did a good job of drilling the information into me. They were strict but warm, and although everyone hated them, I loved them and did well so they doted on me. Studying from Kaplans brought back good memories :)</p>
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<p>Yes, I was enrolled in AP Chemistry at the time. Also, when I took the SATII in the subject I was ten days from the AP exam so I was in pretty good shape.</p>
<p>I got a 630 after intro chem, and am now in AP Chem. I’m planning to take Lit and Math II in June, and should score high-700s in both. I’m not looking at schools that require 3 scores. Any thoughts on whether it would be worth retaking this subject test after AP Chem? If I could get an 800 and not have to take Math II, for instance? Or, to have a good fallback if indeed Lit or Math II end up not being as high as I would like?</p>
<p>^I believe that it is definitely worth retaking after the completion of AP Chemistry. My score likely would not have been as high if I had taken it after basic high school chemistry.</p>