AP® Chemistry | Free Response Questions | Albert (2024)

FAQs

What percent is a 5 on AP Chem? ›

AP Chem Pass Rate – AP Chem Score Calculator

In 2023, a total of 139,448 students took the AP Chemistry exam. However, out of that entire pool, only 16.05% of students scored a 5. Meanwhile, 27.10% of students scored a 4, and 31.96% of students scored a 3. The average score for the 2023 AP Chem exam was 3.26.

Thermodynamics (Unit 6) - This is considered the hardest unit for many students because it involves complex topics like entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs free energy. Calculations can be challenging, and understanding the conceptual aspects requires a good grasp of energy and spontaneity.

Scores of 3 or higher may qualify you for college credit, but many colleges and universities will only accept 4's or 5's. Search for the AP® credit policy for schools you're interested in applying to by going here.

Usually, a 70 to 75 percent out of 100 translates to a 5. However, there are some exams that are exceptions to this rule of thumb. The AP Grades that are reported to students, high schools, colleges, and universities in July are on AP's five-point scale: 5: Extremely well qualified.

As a general guide, though, you can consider roughly more than 70% correct as being in the 5 range, 50-69% for a score of 4, 40-49% for a score of 3, 30-39% for a 2, and below 30% would likely be a 1. Again, these ranges are approximations and can vary by subject and by year.

The general consensus is that AP Chemistry is often considered more difficult than AP Biology. This is due to the fact that AP Chemistry typically involves more complex mathematical calculations and abstract concepts.

Sure, I'd be happy to explain how the AP Chem exam curve works. Essentially, the curve is designed to account for the difficulty of the exam so that the distribution of scores remains relatively consistent from year to year. The College Board, which administers the AP exam, uses a process called "equating" to do this.

Is AP Chemistry harder than AP Physics 1? Based on College Board pass rates, AP Physics 1 is more difficult than AP Chemistry.

What is easier AP Biology or AP Chemistry? ›

AP Chemistry is the more difficult exam, making it a better choice for students who have already taken AP science courses and intend to pursue a degree in a related field. If you're still not sure whether these classes are the right choice for you, talk to students who have taken one or both at your school.

Compared to AP Biology, which focuses more on memorization and understanding of processes, or AP Physics, which leans heavily on mathematical formulas and physical concepts, AP Chemistry strikes a unique balance that requires both rote learning and practical application.

Interpreting AP Scores in Admissions is a Human Process

But there are no hard and fast rules, such as not submitting 4s or 3s, as some suggest because, in some cases, students should submit those lower scores since admissions officers will assume even worse if they withhold them.

Do colleges accept a 3 on AP Chem? Yes,1450 colleges in the US accept a 3 on AP Chem.

But what is a passing AP score? The College Board considers a score of 3 or higher a passing grade. That said, some colleges require a 4 or 5 to award credit. Whether a 3 is a good AP score depends on the colleges you're applying to.

Scores of 3, 4, and 5 on an AP® exam are passing scores and generally considered a good score. The College Board defines a 3 as 'qualified, 4 as 'well qualified,' and a 5 as 'extremely well qualified.'

According to this illustration, grade 4 requires 56 - 66 per cent, grade 5 requires 67 - 77 per cent and grade 6 requires 78 - 88 per cent. ranges may seem extraordinarily narrow and demanding, but they are supported by other evidence discussed below.

Your oral exam is 5% of your total grade, so think of it as 5 points. You earn an 80 on your oral exam, so you multiply . 05 (5%) and 80, which gives you 4 points.