How to do well on the AP Chemistry exam 2025

Exam Tips for AP Chemistry

Exam Preparation

We strongly recommend that you continue studying after class. Early in April, begin reviewing. Use a study guide, either your own or one provided by the teacher, to concentrate on the ideas and abilities that will probably be assessed. Try your best to attend any tutoring sessions that your teacher may be offering. Consider discussing challenging topics and concepts in groups while studying, and don't hesitate to ask your teacher for assistance when needed. Basics like getting adequate sleep, eating a nutritious breakfast, and dressing comfortably and warmly enough for the exam room should all be kept in mind the night before the test. Masterclass Space offers Atlanta's top AP Chemistry courses.

Do Accurate Calculations

Accurate responses are required on FRQs, and arithmetic may not use round numbers on MCQs because calculators are permitted on the test. To choose the right buttons on your scientific calculator, you must be familiar with its features. Some computations, for instance, would require entering numbers in exponential notation, converting them into or out of common and natural logs, and possibly calculating the percentage.

Multiple-choice inquiries

The AP Chemistry Exam consists of two different kinds of multiple-choice questions: discrete questions and question sets. The discrete questions are standard, stand-alone test questions with four options (A–D) from which the right response must be chosen. A graph, an experiment, a set of data, or another stimulus provided at the start of the set will serve as the basis for two or more test questions with four possible answers (A–D).

Go slowly.

The AP Periodic Table of the Elements, the AP Chemistry equations and constants page, and a calculator will be available to you during the test.

1. Try the following tactic to maximize your score and maintain an even pace: Give each question a maximum of 40 seconds to be examined; some, such as question sets, will often take less time. Quickly identify the question's topic. Some of the questions will be math-based, and you can use your calculator to answer them. However, other questions can be answered more quickly by using simple estimations, approximations, and rounding.

2. After the forty seconds, either: Select the right response from the four available options. If you know how to answer a question but need more time, mark it with a "Y." Put an "N" next to the questions you are unsure how to answer.

3. Make yourself finish all 60 questions in 40 minutes, including 15 questions every 10 minutes.

4. Make a second attempt now, focusing solely on the "Y" questions. Don't waste any time answering "N" questions. Whether you are unsure about the solution, try to figure out whether you can rule out two or three options using some important information. In forty minutes, finish this pass.

5. Your third pass is now. Just concentrate on the "N" questions. Try to rule out at least two options. Speculate wisely. On this pass, additional points are awarded for any accurate "guesses." Don't waste the ten minutes you have left!

6. Try to respond to every question. Keep in mind that guessing is not penalized.

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Questions with Free Responses

Three long, multipart questions worth ten points each and four short, multipart questions worth four points each make up the two categories of free-response questions on the AP Chemistry Exam. The seven free-response questions will require the use of all six science techniques and cover all nine sections in the chemistry course. To give yourself enough time, you should schedule roughly nine minutes for the short questions and twenty-three minutes for the big questions. Masterclass Space offers Johns Creek's best AP Chemistry classes.

Start by reading the entire question.

Before beginning any work, read each free-response question through to the end. Make sure you truly understand what is being asked by reading more and writing less. To understand the big picture of the issue or topic, it could be helpful to start at the bottom and work your way back to the beginning.

Both the short and long AP Chemistry questions are divided into multiple sections. Examine each section before responding and consider any connection between them (sometimes they aren't). Be sure to use your earlier findings to answer any questions that require you to do so based on your answers to the previous sections. If you were unable to complete one of the earlier sections, either come up with a solution and explain what you would have done or utilize the solution to carry out the calculations in the following section.

Make the most of your credit.

When an answer has more than one choice, such as "increases, decreases, or remains the same," make sure you select one of the three alternatives. Make just one choice and explain why you chose it if you are asked to choose the best response.

The phrase "Explain or justify your prediction" indicates that a right prediction made without an explanation will not receive a point. Make sure your explanation or defense goes beyond merely restating the facts from the situation.

If you are asked to compare two options, state both before selecting one and providing a rationale.

Make it clear.

Be accurate and explicit in your communication. It is frequently impossible to tell whether students have a thorough understanding of the chemistry required in the question from vague, ambiguous, and meandering responses.

Questions that sound odd or unusual may come up. Using what you know, try to figure out what a reasonable strategy may be. A blank page will receive more credit than whatever you write.

Remember that if you write clearly and with good grammar, AP readers will be able to grade your exam the best. Your responses will be scanned for scoring, so make sure your intended response is marked, any erasures are complete, and your marks are black enough to be scanned.

When responding to inquiries, steer clear of ambiguous generalizations. Provide as many specifics as you can.

Once you have the solution to the query, stop adding more explanations. There will be far more room than you require for your response. Don't worry if you haven't utilized all of the available space. When students provide more information than is necessary, they have been known to contradict themselves.

Maintain consistency.

It's critical to maintain consistency. Think over your previous responses and make sure you use them to inform your responses to the next relevant questions. If the subsequent responses don't make sense, rethink your initial suggestion.

Conclusion

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