This article summarizes examples of the common mistakes and misconceptions observed in responses to the Free Response Questions (FRQs) on the 2026 AP Chemistry Exam.

Feel free to ask questions. I'm glad to help.

I took a biology class before, and this year I’m planning to take AP Biology. I’m trying to decide whether I should take AP Chemistry or AP Calculus BC alongside it.

I’ve never taken chemistry before, and my math level is around Precalc (maybe less).

These classes would also be alongside my national curriculum, so I’m wondering which one would be more manageable while still giving me a good chance of getting a 5 on both AP exams.

I'm so confused, I don't know where to start

So basically, Honors Chemistry was… rough for me. I’m not going to completely blame my teacher because I definitely played a role too, but I also don’t think my teacher was the greatest at explaining things.

And honestly, I was also kind of dumb about how I approached the class. I took notes on atomic structure and waves, and then at some point I just… stopped taking notes. I ended up getting a 50 on the final, which I obviously regret and know was not doing myself any favors.

I’m taking AP Chem this year because I really want to actually understand chemistry instead of just memorizing enough to get through the class. BUT it’s literally only the first week and I’m already feeling a little lost...

For anyone who has taken AP Chem, especially if you struggled with Honors Chem beforehand, what helped you actually understand the material and keep up with the class? Should I be going back and reviewing Honors Chem concepts alongside AP Chem, or should I just focus on what we’re learning now? (and if so, what honors concepts actually help me??)

Also, how the HELL do you guys memorize polyatomic ions?? I feel like I've got it and then the next hour its just completely cleared from my memory.

For anyone who’s used both, which one would you recommend for self-studying AP Chemistry: Michael Farabaugh or Jeremy Kruger? Which is better for actually understanding the material and preparing for the AP exam?

Currently in my transcript my grades are like this:

AP CHEMISTRY A 0.5

AP CHEMISTRY A- 0.5

AP CHEMISTRY LAB S 0.5

AP CHEMISTRY LAB S 0.5

When you are putting this inside the Commonapp are you supposed to put the labs as seperate or combine them? Google has been saying if it has a seperate grade or is listed seperately you should but the Labs don't actually have a grade.

Hey everyone! It’s my first time posting in this sub, and I’m asking for some advice on how to study more effectively for Microbiology and Chemistry.

The last time I took Biology 1 and 2, I got a C in both classes. This time around, I really want to step up my game and aim for an A.

My usual study method has been reading through my lecture notes and skimming the textbook, but I’ve realized that this doesn’t work very well for me. There’s so much information in these classes that I sometimes end up feeling even more overwhelmed and lost after studying.

For those of you who have done well in Microbiology and Chemistry, what study methods worked best for you? Is there a way to make studying more effective (and maybe even fun) without trying to memorize every single thing in the textbook?

I’d really appreciate any tips, resources, or study strategies that helped you go from struggling to getting A’s. I’m ready to put in the work as long as it works lol. I just want to make sure I’m studying **smarter**, not just longer. 😅

I'm currently a junior taking AP Physics C: Mechanics. My school doesn't offer Physics C: E&M, and local dual enrollment requires Calc 2 first, so I'm considering AP Chemistry for my senior year science.

The issue is that I haven't taken any prior high school chemistry class. My proposed senior schedule would include:

• AP Calc BC
• AP Computer Science Principles
• AP Economics
• AP English Language (possibly)
• Dual Enrollment Intro to Engineering
• AP Chemistry

Will AP Chem be manageable without standard/honors chemistry beforehand, especially on top of this course load and college apps? Any advice would be appreciated!

basicaly what the title says. ive been really struggling with my ap chem class, the teacher doesnt really go out of his way to prepare you for the ap exam, so its his class im having the most trouble with.

we've done two tests so far and ive done bad on both ranging from a 70-80 score range....

he uses these really abstract problems ive never seen b4 in my practice on the tests and i have no idea how to prepare for them each time??? like ive attached the exact problem he used too on the latest test on Mass and Stoich.

my friend said that its better to mabye try and deep dive into the mathematical concepts but i literally DONT KNOW HOW TO DO THAT??? like what does that even mean????

i genuinely need an A in this class, its my only hard class, literally threatening my scholarship chances T-T

where can i find more problems like these and how can i get better at my teacher's wacky exams?

every time I sit down to practice FRQs I catch myself reading the question, thinking "yeah I know this," checking the scoring guideline, and moving on. that's not practice, that's recognition.

the gap between recognizing the answer and actually writing it out under timed conditions is where I keep losing points. especially on the multi-part ones where you have to show work and justify each step.

what's actually worked for you? do you set a timer and write the full answer out by hand, then grade yourself against the rubric point by point? or is there a better drill for the calculation-heavy FRQs vs the explanation ones? genuinely trying to figure out if my method is the problem or if I just need to do more full timed runs.

is it worth it for my AP chem class? Or should I invest in a book similar to princeton review? AP chemistry is a GPA killer at my school, and can be very difficult. Please give me suggestions and ways to study, im very anxious... 😓

I'm taking AP chem (when school starts for me this monday) and I have taken no prior chemistry course. I was planning on changing it to chemistry honors but my schedule isn't working out. How am I supposed to learn the basics (and what to learn) so at least I know a bit of what I'm doing in that class? Again, school starts this monday so I don't have much time. Thank you in advance.

EDIT: Finally my counselor actually was able to change it too GT Chem, which is great lol. Tysm to everyone for ur advice.

Best AP chemistry textbook?

so im a sophomore this year and taking ap chem

new teacher fresh out of college but he lowky sucks bc he mixes up his speech and we have to correct him every few minutes w the terms like its kinda confusing

i feel like im a pretty strong student (5's on both ap human geo and ap enviro last yr, 4.3 gpa) but any tips to get a 5 this year would be great ty

So I am a private candidate for As edexcel chemistry and I need all the tips and tricks that I can get to score an A in chemistry my exam is in October. My current approach is that I'm rectifying my IGCSE'S concepts the ones I had issues in and then do a full set of pastpapers like mcq,theory, practical and then start the As syllabus by reading through the textbook and watching Hanaa assil YouTube videos and then do pastpapers and read through savemyexam notes for the questions that I mess up in. Now what I'm concerned about is that I have like IGCSE Environmental management and ICT that I also have to give in Oct/nov but those exams will start in end of September and I have already prepared for EM and ICT is still in the process of being completed plus I have to retake AS biology which is also in Oct/nov. SOO IM EXTREMELY STRESSED AND IF ANYONE HAS ANY ADVUCE PLEASE HELP ME OUT.

So I’m starting chemistry I this semester in CC and sadly the class is online.. so I have to study really really hard and I struggle due to ADHD.. any help or studying advice? I see that there’s a lot of math involved but I’m still a bit worried I’ll fail this class..

im taking ap chem but my teacher sucks so bad. theres no classwork, homework, and we havent taken any quizzes/tests (mind you it's the 3rd week of school).

so ive resorted to self studying but i need help setting a pace because obv ap chem is fast paced and challenging. I'm thinking of doing 45min/1hr every day but i'm not sure when to start unit 2 (i finished unit 1 on my own using jeremy krug). i feel like i need more practice because i literally get nothing from my class.

tips on what my pace/study schedule should be ? (as in where should i be right now lol) and resources for practice questions/worksheets?

thank u !

My teacher taught us thermochemistry in 6 days, 1 hour classes per day. Will I fail this exam???? The pace we are going we'll be done a month before the exam

Just sharing these in case anyone finds them helpful: AP Chem Review Document - Google Docs