How is the ap chem exam, specifically from those who have taken the exam? What is your best advice, and what topics did you notice were very important? How do people generally do?
129592
As far as I know, it's graded on a curve, so the average is 3.  So that's how people do in general.\n\nAs for studying for it: I got one of those AP prep books, did a couple of the pratice tests, studied the things I got wrong, and got a 5 on the exam.
187061
Applied chemistry is something I studied for 4 years. I also studied Highschool education.\n\nProblem is that many textbooks are biased to certain areas such as health, ultimately the best way to learn more about applied chemistry is to study it in a university that is known for teaching it well...\nIf you are unsure if you want to study it then I recommend visiting the university and asking at reception of the chemistry department if you can have a short chat with the lecturer, a good lecturer will be happy to tell you which books they use.\n\nThe main issue with Applied chemistry is that is actually about a method of thinking rather than an actual subject. It is where you use your knowledge of chemistry and apply it to real life situations. Rather than memorising a list of elements, what is more important is being able to know how to use those elements, where to use them, what to use them with.\nIn essence it is learnt only through practice in both real life and laboratories, not books.\n\nOne book that caught my eye and is good for final year secondary students would be:\n\nKatherine J. Denniston, J.J.T, Robert L. Caret 2004, "General, Organic, and Biochemistry, 4th ed, McGraw-Hill, Sydney.\n(a book used by university first year Health science students as a link of chemistry and health)\n\n\n\nAs a warning to potential aplied chemists... i can no longer drink a cup of tea without considering the numerous reactions, phase changes and substances that interact in the cup and then with my body. Hope you are willing to change your outlook on the world like that.
49365
I have a bit of calc links from when I took the AP exams.\nhttp://www.jimmyr.com/education.php\n\nunder the section calculus. those sites were really useful.
251946
The biggest trouble I had in organic was the reactions and mechanisms, like SN1 SN2 E1 E2, reactions with alkenes, reactions with alkynes etc.\n\nIf you're a visual person then I suggest looking up sites that have animations to help you understand the reactions. If you don't get it, just learn them by heart lol. But it's so much better to understand what happens during these reactions, you'll remember it better during the test.\n\nFor the other things... well really, memorization is all you can do.\n\nTONS OF PRACTICE REEEEALLY HELPS, ESPECIALLY IN NOMENCLATURE + REACTIONS/MECHANISMS!!!\n\nHere's a couple of sites to get you started.\n\nGood luck =)
50737
Be sure to start paying attention very well in class as well as completing the homework if you haven't already. Ask some people who completed the course(s) before you so you can know what to expect on the test. I'm nervous about my AP World History exam, but I was assured by the juniors that it's not big deal and that their scores were high. So I'm not as nervous. Good Luck!
57044
Chemistry rocks, I think nuclear chem is the best topic, and I agree that the organic stuff is kinda boring.
211960
I think I answered your question before...but not sure if you got it, so I'll write it here...\n\nI'm pre-med, and I've taken up through Calc II. A lot of pre-med students do that. However, I think that being pre-med only requires Pre-calc, or at most, Calc I. However, it also depends on your major. Chem majors need more calc than bio majors do...but don't worry. You have all of college to get that stuff in :)\n\nRegarding calc in med school, I don't know if you actually need it there, but I was told that math majors actually do the best on the MCAT because the process of thinking you need to do well as a math major is very similar to the process of thinking you need to succeed on the MCAT. Hope that helps!
671225
I know my chem, but have never heard of it nor could I find it.\n\nPerhaps you mispelled it?  It should be described in your book if they're going to use it as a problem.
575585
AP chem is just a level ahead of what you have taken.  It's not too difficult if you have strong chemistry background.  Considering the fact that you have already taken Honors Chem, you should not find a  introductory general chem book difficult at all.  When i took the AP chem we used the book titled Chemistry  and Chemical Reactivity by Kotz (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0030237963/).  There is another book used for inductory general chemistry classes at my university is Chemistry by MCMurry and Fay (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0131402080/).  Both books are good and should give you a very good understanding of general chemistry.  Good luck!
391691
Next time, don't use the words "chem nerd".\n\nThat won't really encourage many positive reactions.
136679
Here's what I've learned while in AP courses. None of this is a secret:\n1. It's honestly way too late for you to look into tips and stategies. With future APs, always look into a study guide, such as the Cracking the AP series published by the Princeton Review.\n2. As for how its scored, the AP English exam consists of multiple choice questions and a free response essay section. The multiple choice questions account for 45% of your score, and the essay counts for 55%. Being a good BS-er will get you part of the way, but not as far as many think. \n3. If you get a multiple choice question wrong, it's minus 1/4 of a point. But I'd still recommend making an educated guess. It's worth it.\n4. Finally, whether you get a 1-5 is not determined, necessarily, by how well you do. It's determined by how well everyone else does. Hundreds of thousands of students will be taking the exam. If they don't know what they're doing, the better you'll do. The 1-5 is given by your score in relation to the average score by all test takers. For more information, go to CollegeBoard.com (they write the APs).
353968
take class, easier. plans to study math on cd less solid (for most people), than having to do it every day in class.  (learned 80% of my calculus the night before the AP test, got a 5 out of 5)
284449
http://www.sbuniv.edu/~ggray/CHE3345/chp14.html\nhttp://web.odu.edu/sci/tisenhou/chem321/chap12/index.htm\n\nbest luck
232651
Really depending on what type of learner you are. \n\nI think studying over the material is helpful because you become really familiar with different types of questions, plus you gain confidence during the process. Usually I start reviewing two weeks before the test just to make sure that I have enough time to go over the material at least twice. \n\nFor math, I suggest you review all the examples in the textbook and work on some typical homework problems. Doing problems over and over again sounds tedious but you will be amazed how easily you can find the solutions to the problems on the test.\n\nFor science..well depends on what subject. If it is math related, like physics, you should really review the formulas and do problems. If it requires a lot of memorization, like biology, read over your text book and notes and if you have time, make an outline of the content for each chapter. I usually re-write my notes for test-prep. It's time-consuming but it works for me =P\n\nAnd lastly, make sure you get enough sleep everyday. Don't drink too much coffee! Try fresh smoothies! They are icy so they keep you awake and at the same time they are full of vitamins! Get yourself a good 8-hour-sleep the night before the exam. And don't study anymore right before you take the test. Forget about the test! Forget about your competitors! Relax, breath, you can do it!
240781
Since this question is in the chemistry section, I'm assuming you're studying for chemistry.\n\nAs a science teacher, I can tell you that the best way to study is NOT simply to read over your notes, or read your textbook.  This is, however, how most students study.\n\nThe best way to study is to go back to the questions at the end of each chapter/section, and actually DO them.  If there are calculation questions, DO the actual calculations, and check your answer against the work you did before.  If the questions are theory questions, actually WRITE OUT the answers to the questions, in your own words, and then check your answer by referring to the relevant section in the text.\n\nStudying for science is similar to studying for math.  The only way to actually learn it is to DO it.  Watching someone else do it, or reading about how to do it, is not nearly as effective as actually DOING it for yourself.
361167
Do your own homework. \n\nWhat do the phrases "atomic mass ratios" refer to? \n\nHow do you balance a chemical equation? \n\nWhat is a mole?
434483
First of all, way to go.  I'm a single parent of two and in school and I know how hard it is.  I find that time management is the most important as well as reading the material every chance you get.  I have a straight A average because I use the school's writing lab for all of my papers as well as having my friends read them and give me critical feedback.  This helps me get better grades and I make sure to always keep my eye on the goal.