you could spend on the remainder of the test. Make sure your answers go directly to
the point. There should be no deviations or extraneous material in your answer.- Make sure you spend some time on each section. Grading of the free-response questions
normally involves a maximum of one to three points for each part. You will receive
only a set maximum number of points. Make sure you make an attempt to answer
each part. You cannot compensate for leaving one part blank by doubling the length
of the answer to another part.
You should make sure the grader is able to find the answer to each part. This will help
to insure that you get all the points you deserve. There will be at least a full page for
your answer. There will also be questions with multiple pages available for the answer.
You are not expected to use all of these pages. In some cases, the extra pages are there
simply because of the physical length of the test. The booklet has a certain number
of pages.- Outlines are very useful. They not only organize your answer, but they also can point
to parts of the question you may need to reread. Your outline does not need to be
detailed: just a few keywords to organize your thoughts. As you make the outline, refer
back to the question; this will take care of any loose ends. You do not want to miss
any important points. You can use your outline to write a well-organized answer to
the question. The grader is not marking on how well you wrote your answer, but a
well-written response makes it easier for the grader to understand your answer and to
give you all the points you deserve. - Grading depends on what you get right in your answer. If you say something that is
wrong, it is not counted against you. Always try to say something. This will give you
a chance for some partial credit. Do not try too hard and negate something you have
already said. The grader needs to know what you mean; if you say something and
negate it later, there will be doubt. - Do not try to outthink the test.There will always be an answer. For example, in the reac-
tion question, “no reaction” will not be a choice. If you find yourself doing this, pick
the simplest answer. If you know the answer to a “difficult” question—give yourself
credit for preparing well; do not think that it is too easy, and that you missed some-
thing. There are easy questions and difficult questions on the exam.
Questions concerning experiments may be incorporated into both the multiple-choice and
free-response questions. Beginning with the 2007 AP Chemistry Exam, experimental ques-
tions may be incorporated into any of the free-response questions. This means that you will
need to have a better understanding of the experiments in order to discuss not only the
experiment itself, but also the underlying chemical concepts.- Be familiar with all the suggested experiments. It may be that you did not perform a cer-
tain experiment, so carefully review any that are unfamiliar in Chapter 19. Discuss
these experiments with your teacher. - Be familiar with the equipment. Not only be familiar with the name of the equipment
used in the experiment, but how it is used properly. For example, the correct use of a
buret involves reading of the liquid meniscus. - Be familiar with the basic measurements required for the experiments. For example, in a
calorimetry experiment you do not measurethe change in temperature, you calculate
it. You measure the initial and final temperatures.
38 STEP 3. Develop Strategies for Success