<p>YES started a thread!</p>
<p>Sorry for that little outburst of excitement. Anyways, the USNCO local test is only a few weeks away, so I figured we could start chatting about it. Anyone have any first thoughts?</p>
<p>I've heard that as far as studying goes, Peter Atkins' "Chemical Principles: The Quest For Insight" is the best book to use. It goes into great detail on all topics covered on both the local and national exams, and while it does get overly detailed in some places (with all of its calculus and stuff), knowing all of the material it covers is a great place to start (and possibly finish, even).</p>
<p>Does anyone from past years have any input or advice for those of us who are competing this year, perhaps for the first time? Do any of you know the average cutoff (a number out of 60) for making it to the national exam?</p>
<p>I am not taking an AP Chemistry course and I am just beginning to study, using the Brown book. Good idea? Maybe not. (Sophomore)</p>
<p>I think my school is fairly competitive, but who knows?</p>
<p>I guess if you define a few weeks as three months.</p>
<p>I am taking AP Chem and may just read parts of my textbook since our class will not have covered everything on the local/national exam before the time comes. From what I have seen on sample exams most of the local exam is just conceptual, without many tricky calculations unlike the AIME. There does not appear to be a ton of depth required for the questions but there is breadth, meaning that there are many topics.</p>
<p>I bought Chemical Principles and Organic Chemistry (Francis Carey) very cheaply from Amazon. I also got a new scientific calculator for the test (also very cheaply) because TI-84’s aren’t allowed. My TI-30 X-IIS that I had for 7th grade has really stiff buttons and slows me down a lot. Then, in the time I have remaining, I’m going to do a lot of practice tests and problems.</p>
<p>The local cutoff seems to be around the fifties, depending on your state. NJ is really tough, I’ve heard. Not sure of the national cutoff, but I’d expect it to be pretty high if you’re talking about getting into the camp.</p>
<p>Anyone else doing this?</p>
<p>The local exam is almost here! For me it’s next week. Excited?</p>
<p>GLHF to you! Anyone from northeast here?</p>
<p>Took it today. Would like to compare a few of the start because I’m not totally sure… uh… just provide proof i guess</p>
<p>I’m taking it tomorrow morning. How did you take it on Friday? That seems unusual.</p>