Overveiw of exam*
| description | % total points | time (minutes) | |
| Multiple - choice | |||
| 75 questions |
50
|
90 | |
| Free-response |
50
|
||
| Q1 equilibrium |
[10]
|
55 | |
| Q 2 and Q3 calculation problem** |
[10 each]
|
||
| Q 4 net ionic equation |
[5]
|
40 | |
| Q5 & Q6 essay ** |
[7.5 each]
|
*format for 2007+ exams; (i.e. if you have an ap chem study guide prior to 2007, their exam format description is out-of-date); link for changes to Q4.
may use a calculator only for free-response Q1, Q2, & Q3 for 55 minutes, after which you may work on any free response problem (includes Q1 - Q3). you will have a periodic table thru-out the entire exam, but the equation sheet and table of standard reduction potentials will be available only during the free response section of the exam.
**lab related question will be either "calculator use" or "essay"; not both formats.
AP Chem scores***
national score distribution (% student population)
| score / year | 2002 | 1999 | 1994 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 14.8 |
17.2 |
13 |
| 4 | 18 |
14.7 |
17.9 |
| 3 | 24.4 |
25.3 |
30.3 |
| 2 | 18.3 |
22 |
25.1 |
| 1 | 24.5 |
20.5 |
13.7 |
score cut-off
| score / year | 2002 | 1999 | 1994 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 107-160 (67%) |
100-160 (63%) |
99-160 (62%) |
| 4 | 85-106 (53%) |
82-99 (51%) |
76-98 (48%) |
| 3 | 61-84 (38%) |
57-81 (36%) |
49-75 (31%) |
| 2 | 42-60 (26%) |
35-56 (22%) |
25-48 (16%) |
| 1 | 0-41 |
0-34 |
0-24 |
***cut-off score & % grade distributioin varies each year, where expect the cut-off scores for exams 2011+ to be raised, since there would be no "guessing penalty" in these exams (i.e. there was such a penalty in prior exams).
MC test taking tips