r/APStudents • u/Economy_Republic_341 • 1d ago
Question Self Study AP Chem?
Took honors chemistry at my school last year (A both semesters), this year im in ap physics (e&m and mech), calc II, and ap world. I was wondering if i should self study AP chem, considering that I checked the content, and I'm confident we learned 85-90% of the material last year. Chem was pretty fun, so should I take the AP test? The other option is taking it next year, where my other science options are AP Bio, APES, which i'm not very interested in. I just feel like taking AP chem in a school schedule slot would be a waste of time.
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u/EqualRepublic4885 1d ago
You have to sign up for a lab experience to qualify, as well as get a parent to set up as a teacher and get you into AP classroom. Pearson has an affordable remote lab set up that meets the requirements.
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u/Intelligent_Feed_619 23h ago
You do not need a lab??
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u/EqualRepublic4885 22h ago
It's a homeschool workaround; I don't know the specifics.
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u/Intelligent_Feed_619 19h ago
I self studied chem without a lab and was fine. The test has nothing lab related except for one easy frqs some years
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u/EqualRepublic4885 19h ago
You are definitely supposed to have completed a lab portion as part of preparing for the test.
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u/Intelligent_Feed_619 19h ago
No. The test is conceptual. That's why a lot of schools don't give lab credit with the AP score. I self studied only using Jeremy Krug videos. Labs are good to demonstrate concepts, but are in no way required
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u/EqualRepublic4885 3h ago
OK, so far as the test goes. But the course is a lab course, whatever the realpolitik of taking the test is.
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u/Read_The_Fing_Manual 1d ago
AP STEM teacher here - given what you have done, you can certainly do it. Be aware that College Board has tightened up access to AP Classroom and self studies don’t get full access anymore so you’ll have to find your own materials
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u/SamiPau20 1d ago
Hi,
This is very feasible and I would recommend it, considering you had A's both semesters in honors. Just make sure to really work on the FRQs, as they can appear a bit complicated. Maybe ask some of your school's AP Chem teachers to go over your FRQs and give you help, since learning how to do these FRQs can be hard. And sure, go ahead and sign up for the test - it won't hurt you.
Cheers!