We all know that while some students can absorb and memorize information just by reading their textbook and notes, that strategy doesn’t work for everyone—and honestly, it’s not the most effective approach for most. AP Chemistry is tough. It’s fast-paced, content-heavy, and full of abstract concepts that don’t always stick after the first (or third) read.

That’s why I want to share 3 quick and practical review tips you can start using right now to help your teen prepare for the AP Chem exam. These tips come from years of teaching and tutoring students who have struggled, succeeded, and everything in between. The best part? They’re simple, doable, and grounded in what actually works.

1. Prioritize Practice Problems

Reading and highlighting can only take your teen so far. The AP Chemistry exam is designed to test how well students can apply what they know—not just repeat facts. That means they need to be actively practicing problems, especially free-response questions.

How to apply it:

• Set aside 30–45 minutes, three times a week, just for problem-solving.

• Pull questions from past AP exams or quality review books like Princeton Review or Barron’s.

• Focus first on topics that have caused confusion—maybe thermodynamics, equilibrium, or electrochemistry.

And here’s something students often miss: when practicing free-response questions, make sure they’re actually answering everything the question is asking. If it says, identify which molecule has the stronger forces and justify your answer, they need to:

• Compare both molecules in their response—not just state which one is stronger.

• Discuss all relevant intermolecular forces—not just the first one that comes to mind.

This kind of attention to detail makes a big difference in scoring.

Pro Tip for Parents: Ask your teen to explain a question they worked on—even if you don’t know chemistry. Just listening as they explain helps them solidify their thinking and build confidence.

2. Review Common Mistakes

Instead of trying to relearn everything, take a smart shortcut: review old assessments to spot patterns in your teen’s mistakes. It’s one of the best ways to target what really needs improvement.

Here are some things to look for—not a complete list, but a solid place to start:

• Incomplete work: Are they skipping steps? Not showing all their work? Forgetting units?

• Terminology errors: Are they using vague or incorrect language on FRQs? Look for mistakes in how they describe oxidation numbers, formal charges, types of bonding, or intermolecular vs. intramolecular forces.

• Concept confusion: Are they struggling to explain periodic trends, like why ionization energy increases across a period?

How to apply it:

• Choose 2–3 past quizzes, tests, or lab write-ups.

• Ask your teen to go through and mark the questions they missed.

• Use those notes to create a custom review plan for the next few weeks.

Pro Tip for Parents: Be their sounding board. Ask questions like, “Why did you choose that answer?” or “What does that term mean?” Encouraging this reflection helps make their learning deeper and stickier.

3. Create a Formula & Concept Sheet

Yes, the AP Chem exam provides a formula sheet—but it doesn’t cover everything your teen needs to know. That’s why creating their own concept sheet is such a game-changer.

This isn’t about memorizing more. It’s about organizing their thinking and reinforcing the big ideas that keep showing up on the test.

Here are some topics to include:

• Polyatomic ions and their charges

• Solubility rules

• Periodic trends like atomic radius, ionization energy, and electronegativity

• Intermolecular forces—how to identify and compare them

• Key equilibrium concepts like Le Châtelier’s Principle

Post it up where they study—on the wall, inside a notebook, or next to their laptop—and encourage them to add to it as they review.

Pro Tip for Parents: Check in weekly and ask what they’ve added. You don’t have to quiz them—just showing interest helps keep them motivated and on track.

Want to hear more strategies to simplify AP Chemistry review? Listen to my podcast episode: “E6 AP Chemistry Review in 30 Minutes (2024)” for even more practical tips and a breakdown of how to make every study session count.