<p>Im currently taking IB chemistry SL at my school and the topics we’re covering are as follows:
<p>Yeap, it looks like what I have in AP chemistry. You can get the FRQ from cb site and do them and get them right and you pretty much do well on AP exam. Also get a study guide such as PR.</p>
<p>Yes, but there is huge difference: the types of questions. </p>
<p>I would say that IB Chemistry is a million miles away from AP Chemistry, SL maybe a little closer, but the syllabus will pull you through. Do some nuclear chemistry (like what you do in IB Physics HL) and push harder on Equilibria (acid-base and gas). Forget about Organic Chemistry, just know the nomenclature - the SN1/SN2, Elimination, Radical Reactions, etc. will never be asked. Just so you know, in the US, people do not do organic chemistry until 2nd year college.</p>
<p>Do loads of the questions online, and buy the PR book, and learn to use a calculator.</p>
<p>You will be fine, AP Chemistry is quite easy.</p>
<p>Thanks danielsl. So basically I plan on learning each topic as the class progresses but self studying extra on the topics the AP emphasizes more (and I will try and self study the topics that aren’t covered in IB but are in prep books). You say nuclear chemistry is one such topic, are there any others? And are there any other topics I should especially be aware of?
And when you say that IB chem is a million miles away are u talking about the types of questions or the difficulty? And I’m not taking the higher level, I’m taking the lower standard level (HL wasn’t offered)</p>
<p>Like I said, grab the PR chem. and the breakdown is all there. If you went through the IB curriculum it will prepare you enough for AP Chem.</p>
<p>I taking Honors Chemistry next semester, would it be a lot to prepare for the AP exam. (Frankly, I need a 5)</p>
<p>Depends, in my school you take Honours before AP. Don’t worry I will collaborate with you and help each other for ap chemistry as more activity starts happening :).</p>
<p>LOL… If we had AP anything at my school.</p>
<p>Thanks though, I’ve joined the site.</p>
<p>Well, I am guessing that you are now IB-orientated, so you might have trouble answering the questions on the AP exam. However, you no probably know that IB questions are extremely confusing and not very well done. AP questions are usually quite elegant and simple in principle. There is less memorization, and more understanding and application - which I consider much easier. </p>
<p>For example, and IB Chemistry question would be like: Some enantiomers can be prepared by using a chiral auxiliary. Outline how a chiral auxiliary functions and state the advantage it provides.(a real IB question, which is like…***). </p>
<p>An AP question would be like: In the equation H2O2—>H2 + O2, is the entropy increasing or decreasing. Why?</p>
<p>Personally, I tutored AP Chemistry, but I could never tutor IB Chemistry, because students would be coming up with these crazy questions, and I would be like: how would I know? But in AP Chemistry, I could use my knowledge and understanding of chemistry to answer the questions. But in IB SL, I think most questions are much, much easier than in HL.</p>
<p>I agree with XiL: Get PR, and use the Chemistry textbook you use in IB Chem for further reference (not the IB study Guide, the one with a stupid match on the front).</p>
<p>Don’t worry, people will tell you that AP Chemistry is difficult - but it is actually quite easy, and much easier than what you will encounter in college - oh yes, believe me.</p>
<p>Bumping this thread… </p>
<p>How different are the two tests in terms of content? What equations/concepts should I focus on in particular for the AP test?</p>