Top 15 Exam Tips
Top 15 Exam Tips
**Understand the Exam Format**: Familiarize yourself with the structure—60 multiple-choice questions (90 minutes) and 7 free-response questions (105 minutes). Knowing the timing and question types helps you pace yourself.
**Master the Fundamentals**: Focus on core concepts like atomic structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, and acid-base chemistry. These form the backbone of the exam.
**Practice with Past Exams**: Use official College Board practice tests to simulate exam conditions. Review your answers to identify weak areas and understand the reasoning behind correct solutions.
**Become Familiar With the Formula and Equation Sheet**: You will get an equation packet and periodic table during the exam. Start using it now so that you don't waste time finding valuable information during the exam.
**Work on Problem-Solving Speed**: Chemistry problems often involve multiple steps—practice stoichiometry, equilibrium calculations, and titration problems to build efficiency.
**Strengthen Lab Skills**: Review the labs you have done this year in your class. You might be asked to create a lab procedure or describe certain lab techniques on the exam.
**Make a Study Schedule**: Break topics into manageable chunks and assign them to specific weeks. Start early—cramming won’t cut it for a subject this dense.
**Make 1-pager Review Sheets**: Create 1 or 2 page summaries for each unit. Get creative with pictures, diagrams etc. that will help you get back in to the material.
**Focus on Free-Response Practice**: Practice writing clear, concise answers. Show your work, include units, and explain your reasoning—partial credit can save you.
**Watch Video Tutorials**: For tough topics (e.g., electrochemistry or molecular geometry), use resources like Khan Academy or YouTube channels tailored to AP Chem. Ask me and I can recommend some good videos.
**Simulate Test Day**: Take a full practice exam under timed conditions a week or two before. Get used to the mental stamina required.
**Review Mistakes Thoroughly**: Don’t just note wrong answers—figure out why you missed them. Was it a math error, misreading the question, or a concept gap?
**Know How to Use Your Calculator Effectively**: Learn calculator shortcuts for logs, exponents, and scientific notation. Practice now using the calculator that you will bring to the exam.
**Start with the hard stuff**: You know which topics were the hardest for you. Start there. Don't leave it until the end.
**Stay Healthy**: Sleep, eat well, and take breaks during study sessions. A sharp mind performs better than a burned-out one.
Aim to balance content review with active practice. If you’ve got specific topics you’re shaky on, let me know—I can dive deeper! Schedule a session with me. We can meet in person or online.