5 Steps to a 5 AP Chemistry (2015)
STEP 1. Set Up Your Study Program
CHAPTER 2. How to Plan Your Time
IN THIS CHAPTER
Summary: The right preparation plan for you depends on your study habits and the amount of time you have before the test.
Key Idea
Choose the study plan that’s right for you.
Three Approaches to Preparing for the AP Chemistry Exam
You are the best judge of your study habits. You should make a realistic decision about what will work best for you. Good intentions and wishes will not prepare you for the exam. Decide what works best for you. Do not feel that you must follow one of these schedules exactly; you can fine-tune any one of them to your own needs. Do not make the mistake of forcing yourself to follow someone else’s method. Look at the following descriptions, and see which best describes you. This will help you pick a prep mode.
You’re a full-year prep student if:
1. You are the kind of person who likes to plan for everything very far in advance.
2. You arrive very early for appointments.
3. You like detailed planning and everything in its place.
4. You feel that you must be thoroughly prepared.
5. You hate surprises.
If you fit this profile, consider Plan A.
You’re a one-semester prep student if:
1. You are always on time for appointments.
2. You are willing to plan ahead to feel comfortable in stressful situations, but are OK with skipping some details.
3. You feel more comfortable when you know what to expect, but a surprise or two is good.
If you fit this profile, consider Plan B.
You’re a six-week prep student if:
1. You get to appointments at the last second.
2. You work best under pressure and tight deadlines.
3. You feel very confident with the skills and background you learned in your AP Chemistry class.
4. You decided late in the year to take the exam.
5. You like surprises.
If you fit this profile, consider Plan C.
Look now at Table 2.1 and the following calendars for plans A, B, and C. Choose the plan that will best suit your particular learning style and timeline. For best results, choose a plan and stick wish it.
Table 2.1 General Outline of Three Different Study Plans
Calendar for Each Plan
Plan A: You Have a Full School Year to Prepare
The main reason for you to use this book is as a preparation for the AP Chemistry exam. However, this book is capable of filling other roles. It can broaden your study of Chemistry, help your analytical skills, and aid you scientific writing abilities. These will aid you in a college course in Chemistry. Use this plan to organize your study during the coming school year.
SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER (Check off the activities as you complete them.)
— Determine the student mode (A, B, or C) that applies to you.
— Carefully read Chapters 1–4 of this book. You should highlight material that applies specifically to you.
— Take the Diagnostic Exam.
— Pay close attention to your walk-through of the Diagnostic Exam.
— Look at the AP and other web sites.
— Skim the review chapters in Step 4 of this book. (Reviewing the topics covered in this section will be part of your yearlong preparation.)
— Buy a few color highlighters.
— Look through the entire book. You need to get some idea of the layout, and break it in. Highlight important points.
— Have a clear picture of your school’s AP Chemistry curriculum.
— Use this book as a supplement to your classroom experience.
NOVEMBER (The first 10 weeks have elapsed.)
— Read and study Chapter 5, Basics.
— Read and study Chapter 6, Reactions and Periodicity.
— Read and study Chapter 7, Stoichiometry.
DECEMBER
— Read and study Chapter 8, Gases.
— Read and study Chapter 9, Thermodynamics.
— Review Chapters 5–7.
JANUARY (20 weeks have elapsed.)
— Read and study Chapter 10, Spectroscopy and Electrons.
— Read and study Chapter 11, Bonding.
— Review Chapters 5–10.
FEBRUARY
— Read and study Chapter 12, Solids, Liquids, and Intermolecular Forces.
— Read and study Chapter 13, Solutions and Colligative Properties.
— Review Chapters 5–11.
— Evaluate your weaknesses and refer to the appropriate chapters. You may wish to retake part of the Diagnostic Exam.
MARCH (30 weeks have now elapsed.)
— Read and study Chapter 14, Kinetics.
— Read and study Chapter 15, Equilibrium.
— Read and study Chapter 16, Electrochemistry.
— Review Chapters 5–13.
APRIL
— Take Practice Exam 1 in the first week of April.
— Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. Review the appropriate chapters to correct any weaknesses.
— Read and study Chapter 17, Nuclear Chemistry.
— Read and study Chapter 18, Organic Chemistry.
— Read and study Chapter 19, Experimental.
— Review Chapters 5–16.
MAY (first 2 weeks) (THIS IS IT!)
— Review Chapters 5–19—all the material!
— Take Practice Exam 2.
— Score your exam.
— Review the tip sheet on avoiding “stupid” mistakes at the back of this book.
— Get a good night’s sleep before the exam. Fall asleep knowing you are well prepared.
GOOD LUCK ON THE TEST!
Plan B: You Have One Semester to Prepare
This approach uses the assumption that you have completed at least one semester of AP Chemistry. This calendar begins in mid-year and prepares you for the mid-May exam.
JANUARY–FEBRUARY
— Read Chapters 1–4 in this book.
— Pay careful attention to the Diagnostic Exam.
— Pay close attention to your walk-through of the Diagnostic Exam.
— Read and study Chapter 5, Basics.
— Read and study Chapter 6, Reactions and Periodicity.
— Read and study Chapter 7, Stoichiometry.
— Read and study Chapter 8, Gases.
— Read and study Chapter 9, Thermodynamics.
— Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses.
— Re-study appropriate chapters to correct your weaknesses.
MARCH (10 weeks to go.)
— Read and study Chapter 10, Spectroscopy and Electrons.
— Review Chapters 5–7.
— Read and study Chapter 11, Bonding.
— Read and study Chapter 12, Solids, Liquids, and Intermolecular Forces.
— Review Chapters 8–10.
— Read and study Chapter 13, Solutions and Colligative Properties.
— Read and study Chapter 14, Kinetics.
APRIL
— Take Practice Exam 1 in the first week of April.
— Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses.
— Study appropriate chapters to correct your weaknesses.
— Read and study Chapter 15, Equilibrium.
— Review Chapters 5–10.
— Read and study Chapter 16, Electrochemistry.
— Read and study Chapter 17, Nuclear Chemistry.
— Review Chapters 11–14.
— Read and study Chapter 18, Organic Chemistry.
— Read and study Chapter 19, Experimental.
MAY (first 2 weeks) (THIS IS IT!)
— Review Chapters 5–19—all the material!
— Take Practice Exam 2.
— Score your exam.
— Review the tip sheet on avoiding “stupid” mistakes at the back of this book.
— Get a good night’s sleep before the exam. Fall asleep knowing you are well prepared.
GOOD LUCK ON THE TEST!
Plan C: You Have Six Weeks to Prepare
This approach is for students who have already studied most of the material that may be on the exam. The best use of this book for you is as a specific guide towards the AP Chemistry exam. There are time constraints to this approach, as the exam is only a short time away. This is not the best time to try to learn new material.
APRIL 1–15
— Skim Chapters 1–4.
— Go over Chapter 5.
— Skim Chapters 6–9.
— Carefully go over the Rapid Review sections of Chapters 5–9.
— Complete Practice Exam 1.
— Score the exam and analyze your mistakes.
— Skim and highlight the Glossary.
APRIL 15–MAY 1
— Skim Chapters 10–14.
— Carefully go over the Rapid Review sections of Chapters 10–14.
— Carefully go over the Rapid Review sections of Chapters 5–9 again.
— Continue to skim and highlight the Glossary.
MAY (first 2 weeks) (THIS IS IT!)
— Skim Chapters 15–19.
— Carefully go over the Rapid Reviews for Chapters 15–19.
— Complete Practice Exam 2.
— Score the exam and analyze your mistakes.
— Review the tip sheet on avoiding “stupid” mistakes at the back of this book.
— Get a good night’s sleep before the exam. Fall asleep knowing that you are well prepared.
GOOD LUCK ON THE TEST!