Overveiw of exam*
| description | % total points | time (minutes) | |
| Multiple - choice | |||
| 60 questions |
50
|
90 | |
| Free-response |
50
|
105 | |
| Q1, Q 2, & Q3 calculation problem** |
[10 each = 30]
|
||
| Q4 - Q7 essay ** |
[5 each = 20]
|
*format for 2014+ exams; (i.e. if you have an ap chem study guide prior to 20174, their exam format description is out-of-date).
may use a calculator only for free-response. you will have a periodic table thru-out the entire exam.
**lab related question will be either "calculator use" or "essay"; not both formats. one of the problems involves equilibrium.
AP Chem scores***
national score distribution (% student population)
| score / year | 2014 | 2002 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 10.1 | 14.8 |
17.2 |
| 4 | 16.6 | 18 |
14.7 |
| 3 | 25.7 | 24.4 |
25.3 |
| 2 | 25.8 | 18.3 |
22 |
| 1 | 21.8 | 24.5 |
20.5 |
score cut-off
| score / year | 2014 | 2002 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 72 - 100 | 107-160 (67%) |
100-160 (63%) |
| 4 | 58 - 71 | 85-106 (53%) |
82-99 (51%) |
| 3 | 42 - 57 | 61-84 (38%) |
57-81 (36%) |
| 2 | 27 - 41 | 42-60 (26%) |
35-56 (22%) |
| 1 | 0 - 26 | 0-41 |
0-34 |
***cut-off score & % grade distributioin varies each year, where expect the cut-off scores for exams 2011+ to be raised, since there would be no "guessing penalty" in these exams (i.e. there was such a penalty in prior exams).
MC test taking tips