<p>I am currently a junior and I want to apply to a competitive science college next year as early action. To beef up my application I want to self-study Ap Chemistry. I've seen mixed ideas on if this is a good or bad idea. I'm just wondering if anybody has any advice for this and a recommended book to do this. I've used Barron's before to prepare and I've heard the name Zumdahl as an author of a chemistry book. Are these good books? Are there any other recommended books? Right now I am taking AP Calculus BC, AP Physics B and Honors Computer Programming, so I will have plenty of time to study this whole year until the exam. I've already finished my books for AP Calc and AP Physics so I will probably also move onto electromagnetism and self-study that. Any comments would be of enormous help.</p>
<p>The best book in my honest opinion is Chemistry: The Central Science by Brown. You can save money by getting the 9th edition instead of the 10th on ebay, or Amazon.</p>
<p>For your info, I have read both Zumdahl and Brown. I have used Zumdahl to score a 5 in AP Chemistry. However, I recently read the Brown. I would recommend the Brown over Zumdahl as it is a lot more clear and concise.</p>
<p>I studied from the Masterson chemistry textbook and the Princeton Review AP chem prep book.</p>
<p>I got a 5.</p>
<p>Barron's is good. mostly, it is harder than any other prep books. </p>
<p>PS: how would college see our AP test score? there is no spot for AP test score in common applicaion.</p>
<p>I really liked the Zumdahl book, but I also liked the Brown book, as shadowing said, I also found it to be more clear and concise.</p>