Chemical reactions, kinetics, Gibbs free energy, photoelectric effect… If any of these terminologies ring a bell, you’re likely familiar with AP Chemistry – or seriously considering taking it as an AP course. When looking through AP exams with the highest pass rate, many students won’t be entirely shocked to see that AP Chemistry is considered one of the hardest AP classes because of the academic rigor it entails. While only 29.5% of students score a 4/5 on the AP Chem exam, don’t let that statistic intimidate you. As you begin to prepare for the AP Chemistry exam, consider using our interactive AP Chemistry Score Calculator. With the AP Chem Score Calculator, you’ll be able to predict how high you can score on the exam and understand which areas you might need to spend more time studying.

AP Chem exam format

Firstly,  AP Chemistry is a college-level course. Therefore on the exam, you’ll be tested on your understanding of the fundamental practices, theories, and equations covered in class. These are stipulated in the four big ideas (see below). Go through practice test questions and use our AP Chem score calculator to see which areas you feel most confident in. Because if you achieve a high enough score on the actual AP Chem exam, you might also be able to earn college credit.

The AP Chem exam covers the four big ideas:
1: Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
2: Structure and Properties
3: Transformations
4: Energy.

On a larger scale, the AP Chem exam is divided into nine main topics:

Unit 1: Atomic Structure and Properties
What you’re expected to know: Atomic structure and electron configuration, Composition of mixtures, Elemental composition of pure substances, Moles and molar mass Mass spectroscopy of elements, Periodic trends, Photoelectron spectroscopy, Valence electrons and ionic compounds

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Unit 2: Molecular and Ionic Compound Structure and Properties
What you’re expected to know: Intramolecular force and potential energy, Lewis diagrams, Resonance and formal charge, Structure of ionic solids, Structure of metals and alloys, Types of chemical bonds, VSEPR and bond hybridization

Unit 3: Intermolecular Forces and Properties
What you’re expected to know: Intermolecular forces, Kinetic molecular theory, Photoelectric effect, Solids, liquids, and gases, Solutions and mixtures

Unit 4: Chemical Reactions
What you’re expected to know: Introduction for reactions, Net ionic equations, Physical and chemical changes, Representations of reactions, Stoichiometry, Types of chemical reactions

Unit 5: Kinetics
What you’re expected to know: Catalysis, Collision Model, Elementary Reactions, Introduction to rate law. Introduction to reaction mechanisms, Multistep reaction energy profile, Reaction rate

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Unit 6: Thermodynamics
What you’re expected to know: Endothermic and exothermic processes, Enthalpy of formation, Heat capacity and calorimetry. Heat transfer and thermal equilibrium, Hess’s law, Introduction to enthalpy of reaction

Unit 7: Equilibrium
What you’re expected to know: Calculating equilibrium concentrations, Calculating the equilibrium constant. Free energy of dissolution. Introduction to equilibrium, Introduction to Le Châtelier’s principle, Introduction to solubility equilibria, pH and solubility

Unit 8: Acids and Bases
What you’re expected to know: Acid-base reactions and buffers, Introduction to acids and bases. Molecular structure of acids and bases, pH and pKa, pH and pOH of strong acids and bases. Properties of buffers

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Unit 9: Applications of Thermodynamics
What you’re expected to know: Electrolysis and Faraday’s law, Free energy and equilibrium, Galvanic (voltaic) and electrolyte cells. Gibbs free energy and thermodynamic favorability, Introduction to entropy, Thermodynamic and kinetic control

As a whole, the exam lasts for a total of 3 hours and 15 minutes. It covers 60 multiple-choice questions (90 minutes total) and 7 free-response questions (105 minutes total). Section I consists of the multiple-choice questions. These make up 50% of the exam score, and Section II consists of 3 long-answer FRQs and 4 long-answer FRQs. As College Board points out, starting from the spring 2023 AP Chem exam, it is recommended to use a graphing or scientific calculator for both sections. Before you take the official exam, we encourage you to use our AP Chem Score Calculator. Then you’ll se if you need to spend time brushing up on the multiple-choice questions or the FRQs.

AP Chem FRQ

Throughout the AP Chem FRQ section, the following six science practices will be assessed:
1: Models and Representations – Describe models and representations, including across scales.
2: Question and Method – Determine scientific questions and methods.
3: Representing Data and Phenomena – Create representations or models of chemical phenomena.
4: Model Analysis – Analyze and interpret models and representations on a single scale or across multiple scales.
5: Mathematical Routine – Solve problems using mathematical relationships.
6: Argumentation – Develop an explanation or scientific argument.

When answering the AP Chem FRQ portion of the exam, you’re bound to come across the following “task verbs”:
Calculate, Describe, Determine, Estimate, Explain, Identify/Indicate/Circle, Justify, Make a claim, Predict/Make a prediction, Represent/Draw/Write an equation/Complete a diagram

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For example, you’ll be expected to “explain” a relationship, process, situation or outcome by pointing out the “how” and “why” analytically, backed with supporting reasons. Within the short-answer AP Chem FRQs, you might find a graph portraying the relation between the relative number of electrons and binding energy (MJ/mol) for an unknown element. Then you’ll be asked questions such as, “Draw an X above the peak that corresponds to the orbital with electrons that are, on average, closest to the nucleus. Justify your answer in terms of Coulomb’s law” or “Based on the spectrum, write the complete electron configuration of the element.”

If you’re worried about the AP Chem FRQ section or simply want to practice more ahead of the exam, check out these past AP Chemistry questions. Here are also some sample student FRQ responses and grading commentary from the latest AP Chemistry exam in 2023. Once you use our AP Chem Score Calculator alongside your practice tests, you’ll be able to gauge just how well you’ll score on the big day.

AP Chem Formula Sheet and AP Chem Reference Table

If, for some miraculous reason, you’ve already memorized the AP Chem formula sheet and AP Chem reference or periodic table, then please stop reading and feel free to practice for the exam by using our AP Chem Score Calculator! But if you’re in the majority that hasn’t, then now is a good time to study the constants and equations offered in the AP Chem formula sheet and reference table.

Be sure to review an AP Chem formula sheet if you haven’t done so yet. From this you can study chemistry equations, constants, and variables. The AP Chem formula sheet is essentially a two-page document that covers a variety of concepts. For example: atomic structure, equilibrium, kinetics, gases, liquids, solutions, electrochemistry and thermodynamics.

On the day of the exam, an AP chem formula sheet and a periodic table of the elements (both of which make up the AP Chem reference table and sheet) will be given to you before you begin the multiple-choice and free-response questions. Though you aren’t expected to have these formulas and variables memorized, it’s still important to have a strong understanding of these concepts before going into the AP Chem exam. Why not take a practice exam while using the AP chem formula sheet and periodic table? Then see how well you scored with our AP Chem Score Calculator.

AP Chem Pass Rate – AP Chem Score Calculator 

In 2023, a total of 139,448 students took the AP Chemistry exam. However, out of that entire pool, only 16.05% of students scored a 5. Meanwhile, 27.10% of students scored a 4, and 31.96% of students scored a 3. The average score for the 2023 AP Chem exam was 3.26.

As noted earlier, AP Chemistry is known to be one of the hardest AP classes to pass. Worried about the AP Chem pass rate? Here’s our advice: the more you prepare for the exam ahead of time using our AP Chem Score Calculator, the closer you’ll be to achieving your ideal score. One great step to take during your exam preparation is to even review how the readers review your AP Chem exam questions. Lastly, by having a thorough understanding of what the readers are looking for, or are not looking for, you’ll be able to form a stronger response in your AP Chem FRQ section.

How to get a 5 on the AP Chem exam?

Whether you are about to take your first AP exam, or are already waiting for your other AP scores to come out, you’re not the first to ask how you can score a 5. Considering the statistic that 16.05% of students in 2023 scored a 5 on their AP Chem exam, the reality is that only a small minority of students actually attain this score. And as you’ve probably guessed by now, there’s no simple, straightforward answer to achieve that coveted 5. But do keep in mind that scores of 3, 4, and 5 are all very decent outcomes. If you pass with at least a 3, depending on which colleges you’re applying to, you might be allowed to receive college credit. However, most colleges typically accept scores of 4 and 5.

So why not take the time to review the AP Chem formula sheet and reference table? Additionally, spend some more hours studying what is covered in the 9 units mentioned above. By utilizing our interactive AP Chem Score Calculator, you can see what you need to do in each section to bring you closer to your ideal score. Try to gauge just how well you’ll do on the day of the exam. We’re here to help.