Should I take Honors Chemistry before AP Chemistry?

Test Preparation AP Sciences
1

I’m a sophomore currently taking AP Biology and thinking about AP Chemistry next year. (It’s within the first 6 weeks of high school, so I can drop, change, and add courses). My school recommended taking Honors Biology before AP Bio (which I did), but it doesn’t say anything about recommending Honors Chemistry before AP Chem. However, I’m not sure if it I I should take it to do well in AP Chem.

I’m strong in math, and I’m neutrally strong in science. Do you think I should Honors Chemistry before AP Chem or should I be fine skipping Honors Chemistry?

Thanks!

2

Ask the AP Chem teacher, he/she should give you good advice.

At our school, the kids who are successful in AP Chem have either taken Honors Chem or an online Chemistry course. If you go the online route I recommend BYU’s online chemistry course - my son did just the first semester of it and did fine in AP Chem.

3

I took regular Chem last year, as our school doesn’t offer honors or accelerated Chem, and I’ve been doing FINE in AP Chem this year. NOT great but fine. I think that honors would definitely help with the simpler concepts in the first few chapters, so if you have it available to you at your school take it.

4

At my high school, students must take Honors Chemistry in order to take AP Chemistry. If I were you, I would definitely try to take some sort of introductory chemistry class before you take AP Chemistry. Taking a chemistry class before AP Chem can help you know what to expect, and you will likely appreciate having some knowledge beforehand! I know people who are taking or have taken AP Chemistry, and they all said that having an extra year of chemistry before AP Chem was extremely useful.

5

Thank you all the help so far everyone!

@cheeryParent That is a very good idea. The online route is an option. Thank you so much for the recommendation. How is the homework and workload in BYU’s online courses. How long did your son take on average per day for online chemistry? It would be great to know the workload so I can fit it onto my schedule as best as I can.

@Dylan197 Thank you for input!

@LionKing2398 That is interesting.Thank you for your input!

6

Sorry for the delay in replying - I think he spent an hour or two every day for a month to do the first semester of BYU chem. Some of the time was spent after school asking his AP chem teacher.