@1golfer1 Are you saying that AP chem was way easier or way harder?
@TooTiredToWink The AP Chem Exam is so much easier than the Chem Olympiad that they are not really even comparable.
On the AP Chem Practice Test given to teachers, I got 59/60 on the MC and 44/46 on the FRQ. The MC section, in particular, took me only 45 minutes to complete.
On the National Chem Olympiad, I got 48/60 on the MC and barely finished. I got around 60% on the FRQ. Not sure about the Lab Practical score.
Is there any chapters in Atkins that I can safely skip?
Thx
Since my friend and I are the only 2 people from my high school to take the local exam at other high schools, does that mean we both go to nationals or do we have to hit a certain threshold score? There was something on the ACS Website about how in a region that 1000 people take the exam, 10 go on, but cc seems to say that top 2 in your school is sufficient.
Really confused, please help
bump
I haven’t taken the new AP Chem exam but I have taken the old one and USNCO and USNCO is definitely quite a bit harder. AP Chem exam is comparable to the section exam in MC and the FRQ on the AP test I would say is slightly harder than the regional test.
@dncn888
In each region, only a certain number (usually 8 - 16 depending on size) may take the National Exam. The qualifiers for the National Exam are selected via the Local Exam. As an additional restriction, a maximum of 2 students from each school may take the National Exam.
Last year, 1016 students total took the National Exam.
Hey Guys,
If you are taking the local exam at a different school, is there a registration fee?
Hi guys,
Just wondering, where can you find past regional cutoff scores?
I’m taking the local exam for the first time this year and I’ve been doing past exams, but I want to know how I’m doing compared to the rest of my region (I’m in Central Massachusetts).
I think you have to ask your local coordinator for it. For Massachusetts, I think the cutoff might be on the high side, so yeah. Out of curiosity, what are you getting on the old exams?
@dncn888 I’ve been getting high forties/low fifties. I know Northeastern MA is gonna be high, but Central MA might be lower, so who knows. Some people in my school made it last year, so I think I have a pretty good chance, but I want to be sure.
@essyr2017 @dncn888
In Southern California last year, the cutoff score was 44. However, it has been as high as 55 in prior years. It depends largely on who is taking the test and the difficulty of the tests itself.
I’m kind of in your situation. Took the 2009 and 2010 tests and got 54 and 53, but took the 2011 and got a 46. I’m kind of worried as well. Compared to other local sections, I would say my section might be a little on the less competitive side, so yeah
@dncn888 @1golfer1 USNCO is kinda just a thing the chem teacher casually mentions in her AP class to get the students to take it for fun, so I haven’t done any serious preparation beyond taking two of the older tests. I’m planning to do the 2015 one too because I have a ballpark for that qualifying score, but other than that I’m kinda lost. The thing is, I know the kids who qualified last year, and I’m fairly sure I’m a stronger chem student than they were, so hopefully it’ll be okay.
Hey Guys,
Do you all think that a 47-49 on the local exam is sufficient for a non-competitive local section?
Thx
Did everyone feel that that test was harder than last year’s o.O
PLEASE DO NOT DISCUSS THE TEST WITH ANYONE IF YOU HAVE TAKEN IT ALREADY. The last possible test date is March 31. Discussing specific questions or concepts tested before that date seriously compromises the validity of the test for other local sections. However, general comments about test difficulty, cutoff scores, etc. are fine.
I thought it was alright. What do you all think?
Took it yesterday. I thought it was much easier than last year’s irregular Locals. The orgo and trivia were okay, and the computation was much less hefty than last year’s.
My goodness that was a terrible test. Kinda worried right now