1. Know the format of the exam.  Let’s get it straight: the AP Chem exam is a total of 3 hours and 15 minutes long, with a 90-minute multiple-choice section and a 105-minute free-response section. Each section counts for half of your score, so they are both equally important to study for. The multiple-choice section has 60 questions, and the free-response section consists of a mix of 7 short or long essay questions. We’ll go into greater detail on the individual sections later on.

2. Buy a review book. Investing in a good AP Chemistry review book is absolutely essential. Why do you need a review book? Well, review books contain only the most important information, written concisely and organized into important topics. Textbooks, on the other hand, throw so much information at you that there’s no way you can get through it all a second time efficiently and actually understand everything you’ve read. AP review books are often written by AP teachers and other AP professionals. They know the exam format in and out and know the most critical information you need to know for the exam. Most also come with diagnostic exams and practice exams. For AP Chemistry review books, be sure to get a latest version. Try Barron’s, the Princeton Review, or 5 Steps to a 5.

3. Know what is NOT included on the exam. There are a few concepts and ideas that are considered to be beyond the scope of the AP Chemistry exam. This means that you will not have to know them for the test. Don’t spend very much time, if any at all, studying the following ideas. Keep in mind, though, that these concepts may still be useful as background knowledge.

•  Memorization of exceptions to the Aufbau principle

•  Assignment of quantum numbers to electrons

•  Phase diagrams

•  Colligative properties

•  Calculations of molality, percent by mass, and percent by volume

•  Knowledge of specific types of crystal structures

•  The use of formal charge to explain why certain molecules do not obey the octet rule

•  The study of the specific varieties of crystal lattices for ionic compounds

•  Learning how to defend Lewis models based on assumptions about the limitations of the models

•  Lewis acid-base concepts

•  Language of reducing agent and oxidizing agent

•  Labeling an electrode as positive or negative

•  The Nernst equation

•  Calculations involving the Arrhenius equation

•  Numerical computation of the concentration of each species present in the titration curve for polyprotic acids

•  Computing the change in pH resulting from the addition of an acid or a base to a buffer

•  The production of the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation by algebraic manipulation of the relevant equilibrium constant expression

•  Computations of solubility as a function of pH

•  Extensive Organic Chemistry

•  Molecular Orbital Theory

•  Nuclear Chemistry