What Are the Best AP Chemistry Textbooks and Prep Books?

The Best AP Chem Books

The AP Exam

• You have 90 minutes to answer 60 MCQs.
• This will count as 50% of your total exam score.
• No calculator is permitted for this section of the exam so it will be more conceptual.

• You have an hour and 45 minutes to answer 7 FRQs.
  • There are three long essay questions, that are worth 10 points each and four short-answer questions, that are worth 4 points each.
• This section will also count as 50% of your total exam score.
• A calculator is permitted, so this is the section of the test where you will be asked to do most of the calculations.

Best Textbooks

1) Chemistry (AP Edition) 10th Edition

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• Easy to read and comprehend 🧠
• Connects different ideas together really neatly
• Has questions throughout the chapter and runs you through them step by step ❓
• Lots of visuals and graphics 👀
• Tons of practice questions at the end of each chapter and AP style MCQs that you can complete to prepare for unit tests

• Expensive compared to prep books and online textbooks 💰
• Answers to the practice questions at the end of each chapter aren't included in the book

2) Chemistry: The Central Science (14th Edition)

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• Very well explained content with illustrations 📈
• Tries to anticipate points of confusion and help you overcome them 💡
• Practice questions explained step by step ↕️

• Expensive! More expensive than Zumdahl 💰

Best Prep Books

1) Princeton Review

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• All necessary content covered in depth
  • Prioritizes more important content
• 2 practice exams are included with answers 📚
  • If you buy the premium version for $3 more, there are 4 practice tests in the book and 1 online.
• Gives study tips and acronyms as you read 💡
• Provides practice multiple-choice questions and free-response questions at the end of each chapter ❓

• Free-response questions are found to be worded weirdly 😕
• Doesn't explain math calculations well in the answer keys 😞
• Moderately expensive ($13 regular + $16 premium)

2) 5 Steps to a 5

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• Includes 2 practice exams in the book and 2 online
• Has an online prep course that you can access with your PC or phone 📱
  • Their interactive online software has practice questions, a personalized study plan, practice tests, flashcards, and even a game center 🎮
• Includes a very structured study plan and a glossary
  • With the elite version ($6 more), you have access to a section called "5 minutes to a 5️⃣." This includes 180 days of questions that will only take you 5 minutes! It's a quick and easy practice to keep you motivated 🙃
• Covers all content necessary and makes it concise
  • Has a list of equations➕ at the beginning of a chapter and a bunch of practice questions at the end

• The questions are slightly easy compared to what you actually see on the AP Exam
• Elite version ($19) is slightly more expensive than Princeton's premium version ($16) 💰

3) Barron's Test Prep

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• Lots of practice tests to hone your exam skills ❓
• They also have an online portal to continue your studying on
• Makes it easy to see which topics need improvement with provided diagnostic tests
• Questions are harder than the ones on the AP 🤔
  • If you get these right, you'll probably nail the AP questions

• Isn't updated every year
• Overteaches the content and doesn't stick directly to the CED
• Is on the more expensive side ($18) 💸

4) Crash Course

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• Information is very compact and concise, making it a quick and easy read for review
• Focuses only on what you need to know to get a 5️⃣
  • Perfect if you only have two weeks to study
• On the cheaper end ($9)

• Doesn't include enough practice problems
  • It is a little difficult to access the practice exams online 🖥️
• Isn't good to use throughout the year to get a solid foundation of knowledge of each unit. It is better for reviewing content you already know

Prep Book Awards

Closing Thoughts