<p>I plan to start self studying AP Chemistry tomorrow. I'll be using Zumdahl's Chemistry, and I'll work to finish it by the end of March. (22 chapters, so approx. 7 chapters a month) After that, I'll spend April taking past AP Chem exams. Do you guys have any tips for AP Chem? Are there any hands on things I need to have that I can't get by just reading a book?</p>
<p>I am also self-studying, but only because my AP Chem class is really far behind. Here is some advice: do problems. There is no way you will get a 5 if you have only read the book. Problems cement the information into your brain, so make sure you do a lot of individual problems. Chemistry is confusing to learn on your own, but YouTube is your friend!</p>
<p>AZGrove, when did you begin self studying and, if you don’t mind my asking, how far along are you? Do you think it’s feasible to start self studying now?</p>
<p>Well, I’m actually taking the class, and it’s year-long. However, I have been doing about a chapter 1 week, and I’m on chapter 9 now.
To start now seems like a LOT of work. Look forward to be doing 3 hours of chemistry every single day if you want to get all of the material done by the test date. I mean, if you think you can do it, try doing 4 chapters in 2 weeks; it will give you an idea of what your semester is going to look like.</p>
<p>Oh, I started self-studying after I realized my teacher wasn’t preparing my class for the AP exam.</p>
<p>My book has about 22 chapters. I plan to dedicate six days (three days per chapter) to two chapters, and the last day of the week to doing practice problems/quickly reviewing the material. If that goes well, I should be done by late March; April will be spent practicing and reviewing with Barron’s.</p>
<p>Think that’s feasible? I’ll be reading a Barron’s prep book for AP Bio as well and going Cal BC (but Cal BC isn’t too much of a problem for me. It comes naturally to me lol)</p>
<p>Also, do you know how they’re changing the exam this year?</p>
<p>I have the same book as you, if I’m correct (Zumdahl 7th?), and doing a chapter every 3 days is going to be a stretch. For instance, chapter 7 and 8 are both over 50 pages long, without the problems at the end of the chapter. I don’t know your reading and comprehension levels, but it seems like a lot to do. If I were you, I would plan for finishing in April, but doing some practice tests along the way.</p>
<p>As for the changes, all I know is that they are focusing more on knowing the concepts and analyzing the information, and not as much on number crunching. I have heard from multiple sources that Barron’s is the only book that is adjusting well to the changes, but it is almost like a second textbook. I’m probably going to still have to get it.</p>
<p>One thing is for sure: if you go all out on all three of these tests, expect to be really busy on only schoolwork.</p>
<p>I’ve been looking at the Chemistry for Khan Academy for the past 2 weeks and am almost finished with it. I took the 1999 AP test to see whether it was preparing me for the AP test, and I thought I did pretty good (calculated 4 score via AP Pass). There were some things that Khan didn’t teach on there, and there were some things that required an in depth understanding of the process that wasn’t covered in much detail by Khan, but overall I feel the videos set a very strong foundation. Would definitely recommend watching them when you feel stumped, because Khan explains it to you in a rather interesting way that is sure to stick.</p>
<p>I’m using Zumdahl 6th. Basically, I’m aiming for ~2 chapters completed per week with practice problems for said chapters done on Sunday. 1.5 hours a day of chemistry, then 1.5 hours of Barron’s AP Bio, then 1.5 hours of AP Calculus BC.</p>
<p>@WasteofUsername, did you have any chem background prior to Khan Academy? As in, were/are you in any chemistry/AP Chemistry course? Or did you JUST watch Khan Academy’s videos? </p>
<p>Did you start at his intro to chemistry videos and work your way up? I mean, if you learned the Khan Academy chemistry in 2 weeks and got a 4, then I could basically try the same and spend the rest of the time honing my skills for a five.</p>
<p>Don’t you need to do practice problems for chemistry, though? I thought Khan just had videos and one or two problems per video.</p>
<p>Also, are we allowed a calculator on the exam?</p>
<p>You are allowed a calculator for the first “40” minutes of the written exam (it might be 50 minutes). OTher than that, no calculator.</p>
<p>Do many of the questions require a calculator?</p>
<p>@TeamRocketGrunt, I did have a basic chemistry background (Stoichiometry, strong understanding of moles and bonds), but if you don’t I strongly recommend using this website.</p>
<p>[Unit</a> 1 Metrics, Matter and Sigfigs](<a href=“http://www.learnapchemistry.com/lectures/unit1.html]Unit”>Unit 1 Metrics, Matter and Sigfigs)</p>
<p>I just found this website yesterday, and it goes into much more depth than Khan Academy. The website goes over lectures in a logical manner, just as a regular classroom.</p>
<p>Also, it’s strictly based on the AP curriculum.</p>
<p>I’ll spend a week watching those and then start Zumdahl.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Anyone else?</p>
<p>@WasteofUsername, how long did it take you to go through that site? Is it based on the new curriculum?</p>
<p>If I watch all of these, understand them, and do problems, do you think it would be sufficient to get a 5? As in, exactly how in depth are these lectures? Do they cover the content adequately?</p>
<p>The videos on the [Welcome</a> to LearnAPChemistry.com](<a href=“http://www.learnapchemistry.com%5DWelcome”>http://www.learnapchemistry.com) are actually the teacher teaching his high school class (Berkeley High School, CA) in 2010 or 2011. The lectures are 45 minutes (the time of the class period) and go over things in depth while also giving you problems. Also, he gives you lecture notes along with the lecture. What makes these videos so great is that it is actually like you are in the classroom with other students who may have the same questions as you and you progress through the class as if you are actually in this man’s class. </p>
<p>So, as for my inference so far, he goes over material adequately and clearly. Watching his videos, doing problems in the book, and going over previous AP test (especially free response), should be enough to get a 5.</p>
<p>As for the teacher, his name is Aaron Glime, and if you have any questions you can probably find his email on the school website or you can try tweeting him.</p>
<p>My study plan will be something like this, probably. Day 1: look at one of his lectures and start the relevant chapter. Day 2: continue relevant chapter. Day 3: finish relevant chapter.
Day 4-6, repeat; day 7: do practice problems for both chapters.</p>
<p>The best practice problems also, can be found by typing in on google</p>
<p>AP Chem Chapter “You are working on” Test</p>
<p>Will give you a bunch of practice tests</p>
<p>Thanks for the good link Waste.</p>
<p>^</p>
<p>Thanks, Waste!</p>
<p>This site also has some good resources and practice worksheets for AP Chem: <a href=“http://apchemistrynmsi.wikispaces.com/AP+Chemistry+Class+Lecture+Notes+AND+instructional+videos[/url]”>http://apchemistrynmsi.wikispaces.com/AP+Chemistry+Class+Lecture+Notes+AND+instructional+videos</a></p>