Can't self study AP chem..?

5am6996 · 09-06-2012, 05:58 PM

Okay so I'm currently in Honors Chemistry and was looking forward to self studying for AP Chemistry. I discussed the idea briefly with my teacher and she simply said "It's not possible, you won't be ready. This class can't prepare you at all". She's known to be very rude and all but did she have a point? Has anyone here self studied AP Chem and done well? I have very little Chemistry experience and I really wanted to take the test by the end of this year but after what she said, I feel so discouraged. Any ideas?

tkr116 · 09-07-2012, 04:23 PM

I am in AP Chem right now and I would say that it would be very difficult. I breezed through Honors Chem with like a 99 and was looking forward to taking AP Chem. However, after 2 weeks in the class, it is a MUCH more difficult class than it may seem. It is like Honors Chem on steroids. The only way I can describe it is that every single problem you do in AP is like the hardest question you will ever see in Honors. For example, dealing with the topic of factor label/dimensional analysis is much more complex. In Honors, you do how many inches in a mile, but in AP, you convert the speed of light in m/s into furlongs per fortnight. (no joke, that was on my last test) And those are just simple topics. You deal more in depth with acids and organic chemistry, which aren't even mentioned in Honors (for me anyway). Overall, I would say it would be very difficult to self study, as there is a TON of material to learn and master, but if you want to do it, more power to you!

FantasyVesperia · 09-07-2012, 05:13 PM

No one should self study AP Chemistry, the AP Chemistry curriculum covers the Chem I curriculum in 5 days. You need the lab experience and instructors advice, notes etc. In regular chemistry you only scratch the scratch of AP Chemistry. Tkr116 had good advice.

5am6996 · 09-07-2012, 06:29 PM

Ah okay thanks guys, really appreciate it!

biodontchem · 09-07-2012, 08:22 PM

I am self-studying AP Chem. I have an Advanced Chem class ( one semester of qualitative analysis - which should get my lab skillz all good, also no AP chem at my school). I took honors chem last year and the tests were all structured AP chem free response. We just didn't cover thermo, electro, descriptive chem, organic, and rates.

I will survive with Silerberg chem 5th edition. come at me bro. 5 all the way

It sounds like all these people took AP chem for the heck of impressing colleges? themselves? w/e. I ENJOY chemistry. I actually LOVE the AP chem problems i have encountered. Whats my name?

If you enjoy chem, go for it.

FantasyVesperia · 09-07-2012, 10:11 PM

@IdontGIVEaSHIZ Oh~ I'm sorry, not everyone is as smart as you I suppose. Many teachers say that "self-studying" AP Chemistry is REALLY difficult. It's good that you ENJOY chemistry and that's great, but you have to realize that not everyone can get a good score on the AP exam. Sure, many ATTEMPT to self study AP Chemistry and fail because they THOUGHT they knew what they were doing and missed out on the lectures, labs, class discussions, and study groups that are provided when you're ACTUALLY TAKING THE CLASS. Having motivation and enjoying something is half the battle, actually knowing, understanding and applying will get you places. Not every AP course can be self-studied. The OP said that he/she had only little Chemistry background, which will affect him/her in the long run in AP Chemistry, especially when he/she is planning to self-study it. I do agree with you about how some students are taking the class just so the colleges can pat them on the back. Personally, I don't think anyone should self-study this class, it's too much information, and a WHOLE lot of dedication.

biodontchem · 09-08-2012, 03:35 PM

I shall disregard your opinion.

FantasyVesperia · 09-08-2012, 08:16 PM

^ I don't really care, just don't give anyone false hopes.

Dkline39 · 09-08-2012, 08:21 PM

Self study for ap chemistry would be be really hard but it is possible if you are willing to commit the time to do it well. I have a friend who did and got a 5. However, they devoted massive amounts of time and effort to it. I my opinion of ap Chemistry after taking it last year is that they bring everything you learn in honors I the next level. For example in honors when you learn the periodic table trends and such, you aren't required to know about all the exceptions to the common trends like you have to in ap.

5am6996 · 09-13-2012, 08:34 PM

Thanks a lot guys, I've given up on the idea of AP chem, but do you think APES is doable? I don't have the course in school so no help from teachers at all..just the review book!

Dkline39 · 09-14-2012, 10:54 PM

Apes is supposed to be one of the easiest ap classes ever, so I would guess its pretty doable.

5am6996 · 09-15-2012, 09:47 AM

Thanks, I think I am going to go through with it. Anyone else have any suggestions? What books should I use? Sorry I'm so clueless about this!

ridethewave · 09-15-2012, 01:19 PM

It is possible to self-study. My son self-studied for AP Chem; he is homeschooled. He used Zumdahl and the usual prep books. He also used Thinkwell, but that might be excessive since you already are taking chem in school. Try checking out Khan Academy videos on YouTube, see if there are topical videos available.

ridethewave · 09-15-2012, 01:20 PM

Or by "it" did you mean APES? We used Botkin and Keller for APES.

4kidsdad · 09-15-2012, 01:26 PM

It is possible to self-study AP Chem; but why don't you actually enroll in a class? It's less stressful than seif-study.

If it is not available in your school, take it in your local community college.