Advanced Placement Chemistry
Study Skills
How to succeed in AP chemistry
(or at least pass)
Obtained from Brian P. Hogan, PhD, Assistant Professor,
UNC Chemistry
Modified by Iris Payan, PhD, AP Chem Teacher,
Hollywood Hills High School, Hollywood, Florida
Step 1: Be a scholar
 Need to accept the academic challenge of learning
chemistry
 Requires persistence, concentration, discipline,
patience, and lots of practice
 Someday your high school knowledge will run
out…then what?
 Accept the fact that you are wholly responsible for the
learning adventure
Step 2: Know the course structure
 Know how the instructor structures the course
(chapters, grading, office hours, problem sets,
free help, etc)
 Are lecture notes provided or do you have to
take notes?
 Is the text relied upon heavily?
 Where do the in-class examples come from?
Step 3: Look over the forest before
the trees from the start
 Look over:
 Topics in course syllabus
 Table of contents in your text
 The preface of your book to see how chapters
are organized
 The learning objectives—tables, graphs, word
lists, terminology, appendices, etc
Step 4: Become a “mathaholic”
 All chemistry is quantitative—we like to put
numbers (and units) on things
 Review basic math and algebra before and during
your class. Refresh ideas like:
 Addition, subtraction, mult., div., fractions,
percent, exponents, algebra and logarithms
 Be honest with yourself about any math
deficiencies—seek help…fast!
Step 5: Master the basics early
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Metric system (length, mass, volume, SI units)
Sig figs
Temperature (F, C, and K)
Scientific notation
Dimensional analysis
Chemical symbols and names of ~40 most
commonly used elements
• Common ions and ionic/molecular substances
Example
 A one degree of temperature difference is smallest
on the _______scale
Step 6: Learn and practice the
terminology and symbols of
chemistry
 Write out definitions in your own words.
Recite them. Do same with symbols. Use
index cards if this helps.
 Learn the names and chemical formulas of the
examples used frequently as examples as you
go through each chapter. Build on these to
create a personal “lexicon of familiarity”
 Learn to love the PERIODIC TABLE
Step 7: Memorize only what is
needed
 “Never memorize anything you can look up”
 Ask instructor what will be provided on an exam.
 Which formulas? Periodic table? Common ions?
Enthalpies of formation?
 This does not override your duty to familiarize
yourself with common molecules, etc.
Step 8: Problem solving
• Make problem solving part of every study session.
Work at least 10 problems/session.
• Work assigned problems and the solved problems
in the chapter. Work problems everyday (or at least
5 days/week)
• Do the problem to the best of your ability, then go
to the resource/solution manual
• Familiarity with how to attack problems is critical to
taking an exam like a champ.
• Know how to use your calculator!!!!
Step 9: Launch the assault with
purpose and a plan
 Don’t try to do 3 chapters of problems, then
read the 3 chapters, then review 3 chapters of
notes.
 Chip away at the iceberg of knowledge
 Pick a section of a chapter, 2.1-2.3, then read
your notes, then the text, then do the
corresponding problems
Step 10: Use outside resources
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Study Guide
The internet
Local library
After school in room 152 (Dr. Payan)
Peer tutoring with other AP Students
Another chemistry text—it hasn’t changed much in
20 years.
Step 11: Do not fear the “hairy
equation”—look for the concept
 D = m/V, PV = nRT, E = mC2: not so bad
1
 Hairy:
18

1
E  Ef  Ei  hν  2.18 x10 J  2  2 
n n 
i 
 f
A= Her age at time of marriage
E=Current combined years of post-high-school education
K= Number of kids from this marriage
R= How religious is the couple (1-10 with 10 being “the Pope”)
D= Combined number of divorces of couple’s parents
P= Combined previous marriages
T= Years at which you are computing the chances
Step 12: Be an active reader
 Read each chapter slowly and actively.
 This requires making notes in the margins and
looking at figures and tables.
 Reading 20 pages of chemistry is ≠ 20 pages
of poetry
 Work the problems in the chapter and the
examples. Read, write, be active
Step 13: Come to class
 Despite all attempts to predict academic
performance based on SAT scores, ACT, race, sex,
etc…all have failed except ATTENDANCE.
 Come to class and be an active listener and
notetaker. If that means waking up at 6:30 and
going to bed at 10:30, then so be it.
 Do not fall behind. Missing class and not working
problems will haunt you, and will almost guarantee
failure.
Step 14: Schedule your time
• You are responsible for your education—it’s the one
thing people want to pay more for and get less of.
• Prioritize your studying. If chem is the most difficult
course for you, study it first.
• Pick a time when you are fresh and devote 20-30
mins to chem before a break.
• Make a calendar of your studying. Stick to it. You
may miss the Heels, but you’ll still be a Heel at the
end of the semester.
Step 15: Take the exam like a champ
• Get at least 6 hours of sleep the night before.
Organize your studying so this is a reality (no
cramming)
• Be confident, calm, clear, alert and positive on
exams. Identify concepts and problems you
can easily solve and move on.
• Remember: 1 exam does not a college course
or career make. You can recover from one
bad day.
REMEMBER….
• …We are all average in our own special way!
• The grade you make in chemistry does not define your
intellectual ability or you as a person.
• Do not think your professor thinks less of you because
you scored below average on the exam.
• Look over what you got wrong and make sure you can
get it right…you’ll see it again on the final.
• STUDENTS WHO TAKE AN AP LEVEL COURSE ARE
BETTER PREPARE FOR COLLEGE CLASSES THAN THOSE
WHO DO NOT, EVEN IF THEY DO NOT PASS THE AP
EXAM.