AP Chemistry Exam Information

Section I: Multiple Choice Questions (Answered on Bluebook)

• 60 questions

• 90 minutes

• 50% of the exam score

Section II: Free Response Questions (Questions on Bluebook and Answers written in a booklet)

• 3 long answer (each worth 10 points)

• 4 short answer (each worth 4 points)

• 105 minutes

• 50% of the exam score

• Scientific or graphing calculator recommended

The AP Exam also assesses the nine units of the course with the following exam weighting on the multiple-choice section. 

Unit 1: Atomic Structure and Properties                                                                   7–9% 

Unit 2: Molecular and Ionic Compound Structure and Properties                     7–9% 

Unit 3: Intermolecular Forces and Properties                                                      18–22% 

Unit 4: Chemical Reactions                                                                                          7–9% 

Unit 5: Kinetics                                                                                                                7–9% 

Unit 6: Thermodynamics                                                                                             7–9% 

Unit 7: Principles of Equilibrium                                                                                7–9% 

Unit 8: Acids and Bases                                                                                             11–15% 

Unit 9: Applications of Thermodynamics                                                               7–9% 

The following task verbs are commonly used in the free-response questions: 

Calculate: Perform mathematical steps to arrive at a final answer, including algebraic expressions, properly substituted numbers, and correct labeling of units and significant figures. 

Describe: Provide the relevant characteristics of a specified topic. 

Determine: Make a decision or arrive at a conclusion after reasoning, observation, or applying mathematical routines (calculations). 

Estimate: Roughly calculate numerical quantities, values (greater than, equal to, less than), or signs (negative, positive) of quantities based on experimental evidence or provided data. 

Explain: Provide information about how or why a relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome occurs, using evidence and/or reasoning to support or qualify a claim. Explain “how” typically requires analyzing the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome; whereas, explain “why” typically requires analysis of motivations or reasons for the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome. Also phrased as “give one reason.” Identify/Indicate/Circle: Indicate or provide information about a specified topic in words or by circling given information. Also phrased as “What is?" or “Which?” or other interrogatory words. Justify: Provide evidence to support, qualify, or defend a claim and/or provide reasoning to explain how that evidence supports or qualifies the claim. 

Make a claim: Make an assertion that is based on evidence or knowledge. 

Predict/Make a prediction: Predict the causes or effects of a change in, or disruption to, one or more components in a relationship, pattern, process, or system. 

Represent/Draw/Write an Equation/Complete a Diagram: Use appropriate graphs, symbols, words, and/or models to describe phenomena, characteristics, and/or relationships