<p>All I need is a 3 on the AP chem test. Never taken a AP chemistry class, just chem honors 10th grade and didn't learn much but got 98%'s both semesters because the teacher was too easy. I was planning on taking the chem AP test without being in the class but everyone says chem is one of the hardest APs. Former or current Chem AP students please enlighten me on any tips. I was going to start studying for it by myself mid january all the way up to the AP exam. Too little time, too late? Will I be fine? I have gotten 4 5's out of the 5 AP tests I've taken before. What does everyone think?</p>
<p>Not suicide. A friend of mine self-studied it sophomore year while taking honors chem and got a 5. Dunno how much time he took, though…</p>
<p>Speaking as a current AP chem student, I have no clue. My class is reported to be something like 2-3x harder than the AP exam. If that’s right, then the AP exam shouldn’t be very hard for someone who self-studied a nontrivial AP exam and is decent at math (both qualities which I assume you have).</p>
<p>Why do you need a 3?</p>
<p>He is probably a senior and the university he is going to/already accepted there takes 3 on Chemistry.</p>
<p>^ Correct, I’m just taking as many AP tests I think I can pass to get ahead next year in college. A 3-5 gets the same credits where I’m going so all I need is a 3. Thanks for all the help guys. </p>
<p>One important question, WHATS THE BEST SELF STUDY BOOK YOU ALL RECOMMEND??</p>
<p>If you plan on getting credit in whichever college you go to and take an even harder Chem course how much will you know by self studying and getting a 3?</p>
<p>Well I’m not saying I will get a 3 but I’m just putting it out there all I NEED is a 3 for this to work and be worth the time. In all honesty I’m anticipating and going for a 5 like 80+% of my AP tests. </p>
<p>and besides, how hard can organic chem and above be at somewhere like UCLA? It’s not like I’m going to like caltech or MIT.</p>
<p>I’m basically self-studying AP Chemistry this year. I never took honors chemistry, and my teacher is incompetent enough to the point where listening to her lectures makes kids in my class more confused. I own a copy of the Princeton Review for AP Chem, but I feel like it is quite insufficient in teaching the material for the first time (it’s best for last-minute cramming). I haven’t looked at any other prep books, but it seems to make the most sense to acquire a textbook (most people recommend Zumdahl / Zumdahl, but my class uses Brady / Senese) and to read every pertinent page carefully.</p>
<p>I take good notes as I go through the chapter, but that helps me focus and absorb the concepts. I never refer back to my notes after I’ve taken them because the process of taking notes (along with helping other kids in my class) cements the material in my head. I think the secret is to take whatever you read and try to explain and restate it to yourself to ensure that you understood the concept.</p>
<p>I recommend doing enough practice problems to make sure that you know the material. Quantitative practice problems for AP Chemistry can be rather repetitive, so I think it is important to make sure you know the concepts well to pick up all of the qualitative questions on the AP exam.</p>
<p>You can certainly go through the AP Chemistry curriculum in the period of time between now and the AP exam, but you’ll have to be prudent. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Getting a 5 will be hard, but getting a 3 is probably doable with an honors chem background.</p>