How to do well on the AP chemistry free response section

This article focuses specifically on the free-response section of the AP exam, how it's set up, its content, and how to do well on it. AP chemistry isn't very easy but if you are well prepared it will be a breeze. If you already know the organization of the exam, skip to steps 3 and 4.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. There are two parts in section II(the free-response) of the exam. Part A contains 3 questions. Each question has several parts(e.g. A-F). This is the only part you are allowed a calculator so they require you to work with numbers. Each of the 3 questions is worth 9 points. 1 of those points is automatically given to you if you get all the sig. figs correct. The first question in part A is always about equilibrium(could be solubility, acid/base, pressure/concentration) so make sure you know that. The other two can be over a variety of subjects including acid-base chemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics, electrochemistry, and sometimes lab procedure which was in part A the last 2 years(08, 09). You have 55 minutes to do the 3 essay questions in Part A.

2. In part B, you will first be presented with 3 scenarios. You must write a reaction and then answer a short question relating to it so practice predicting products of chemical reactions and know the different types of reactions. Then you have to answer 2 more essay questions(with the several parts). However, these don't require math(or require very simple math) and require you to explain things. You have 40 minutes for Part B

3. The equilibrium question from part A will usually ask you to first write the equilibrium constant expression for the reaction shown above. Later in the question, you may have to actually calculate the equilibrium constant or determine the concentration of a reactant or product.
   
   There is always a laboratory question either in part A or part B. This questions describes a lab that a student performed and then asks you to analyze his data and usually has a question asking how could the lab be more accurate or what did the student do wrong.

4. Tips:
   
   - Write specific answers. Do not rant on trying to impress the scorer. They are looking for specific things and your answer does not have to be long.
   
   - Manage your time. For me, time was not an issue but some people get stuck somewhere and keep thinking about the problem. Take practice tests to become familiar with the exam.
   
   - Show your work. If you get the answer wrong, you may be given partial credit if it was just a math error. Also remember, if a question requires you to use the answer to a previous question that you got wrong, as long as you do the procedure write in the question and use your previous answer correctly, you will get full credit even if it is a wrong answer.
   
   - Remember to balance your equations. If it's impossible to balance, then it's probably wrong. You need not write descriptive symbols next to reactants and products.