SAT II Chemistry vs. AP Chemistry

<p>What's the difference between the material? I'm thinking of self-studying for the AP Chemistry since I'll have to take SAT II Chem next year in the spring anyway. My school doesn't allow you to take AP classes before the twelfth grade (I will be a junior next year). I figure since I'm applying EA, I need to take the SAT II Chem in the spring. I was wondering how much of a difference there is between SAT II CHem and AP Chem. It would be nice to get AP Chem out of the way.</p>

<p>I took the SAT II last year and this year I'm taking the AP, and yeah there are a couple of differences. I'm not sure how rigorous your class is, but I felt that areas like equilibrium, thermo, kinetics and redox were the sections where I was least familiar with. Basically, the AP test has harder stuff scattered in with the regular concepts. Also, the descriptive chemistry section in the AP exam is a bit harder than the descriptive chem that you should know for the SAT II. Either way, if you are good at teaching yourself things, you should go for the AP exam.</p>

<p>well...i am taking both of them in may...chem is the subject i am best at...</p>

<p>abhim, would you recommend waiting until after AP chem to take the SAT II? My son is taking regular chem this year, AP chem next .... trying to figure out whether to take the SAT II this year or next. (He's just a sophomore).</p>

<p>I just took the SAT II as a sophomore because we were preparing for it so much. At that point I didn't really know that I would be taking AP chem the next year. If your son is sure that he will do AP chem next year, I think he could wait off on the SAT II and take it next May around AP week, since he would be studying for AP chem anyway. If he is taking an advanced regular chem class this year and he doesn't want to delay the sat II to junior year (which is a much more stressful year) he should still be able to get a decent score. I got a 760 last year. Even though I would probably get a better score now after a year of AP chem, I probably won't retake.</p>

<p>Thanks abhim; I think that's good advice.</p>