My chemistry teacher recommends that I take it after AP Chem, but I will (hopefully) not be taking AP Chem next year because the teacher, who I currently have, is rather subpar, and I would not like that AP score to show up on my transcripts. I need to take this test for BS/MD programs.
So back to the main question: should I take the test with honors chem knowledge (with some reviewing of course) or should I just bite the bullet and try to switch into AP Chem next year?
I don’t know whether or not you should take AP Chem, but I will tell you of my son’s experience in the hope it might help. He did not take AP Chem. He took the Chem SAT II test at the end of his Honors Chem class, with just a little additional studying from a practice book. He didn’t do very well. The Honors class hadn’t covered some of the topics on the test. He went back to the practice book and studied the missing sections he had overlooked the first time, took the test again in the fall, and managed to get a score in the low 700s.
The curriculum for Honors Chem must vary from school to school, so maybe your class covers all the topics. But be on the safe side and get a study book (Kaplan, Barron’s, etc.) and make sure you review all the topics and self-teach the ones you didn’t have in class if you decide to take the test without the AP class.
As a junior studying for SAT Chem while taking AP Chem, half of the topics on the test does require AP knowledge and I wouldn’t recommend taking the test after just one year of honors chem. I was about to sign up for SAT chem after my honors chem class sophomore year and asked for my honors/AP chem teacher for her thoughts. She was strongly against taking the test without AP, and advised me to get a review book if I signed up (I didn’t). The test wouldn’t be impossible without AP chem, but don’t expect a 770+ with just a couple of review books. You probably should take AP next year if you did fairly well in honors. My teacher is not exactly great at teaching, but I feel ready for the test next Monday regardless.
My sons had the same teacher for honors and AP Chem. She tells the kids to take the SAT Chem exam the same year as AP.
My son did exactly what you are considering and found he was missing a lot of knowledge on material that wasn’t covered in honors, I really think you need the AP chem class before taking the test. He took it again after the AP class and did great. I don’t think taking the AP test after honors hurt him and at the time we thought it was a good way to see just how hard the tests are and see it as a practice test since he was just a freshman or sophomore (can’t remember which) and would have an opportunity to take it again after AP Chem. But looking back I don’t think it helped in any way - just cost money and time. The teachers know you aren’t prepared after just honors, I would take their advice.
My D took Honors Chem last year and AP Chem this year (Junior) . She will be taking the SAT Chem Subject Test in June.