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Mrs. Richter |
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FAQ AP ChemistryFrequently Asked Questions
For the most part, the students who come into AP Chemistry were enrolled during their sophomore year in either Honors or Regular Chemistry (60%, 37% respectively). The 2007-2008 class, composed of juniors and seniors, have identified themselves in the following career-interest categories: 44 % Health Sciences: Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, etc. 34 % Engineering 9 % Education- Chemistry 12 % No career interest in science Why should I take AP Chemistry? If you are NOT interested in science as a career, you may gain college credit in science, freeing up time for college courses that you are more interested in and never have to take another science class again! If you DO have a career interest in science, you may earn the college credit that enables you to register for courses where general chemistry is a prerequisite, undertake 2nd year coursework in the chemistry sequence, or retake the class at college with ease. Overall, having taken AP Chemistry myself in high school, I can attest that this course helped me build a strong foundation in chemistry and compete very well at the college level! How difficult is AP Chemistry? Remember, it�s a college course. You�ll be expected to review your notes and do homework daily. This daily homework is not a lot, but the most successful students in AP Chem keep up with the daily review and assignments. I am here to help you... just ask! My office hours are Thursdays from 2:37-3:00 pm, but I am available at that time during other days as well. It is recommended that you make an appointment with me so that I am able to reserve that time slot for you. You can also attend academic assistance during your study hall hour. What should I do if I begin to feel overwhelmed by the work in this class? Understand that the kind of thinking that we'll be asking you to do this year may be new and difficult. It is not unusual for some students to need of a number of weeks of persistent effort to initiate understanding. Sometimes students who have done well in most of their other classes have an overly optimistic view of their memory and are reluctant to take class notes, do the textbook homework, or even study for tests. Take control of your learning with a committed work ethic early. Make an appointment for extra help and form a study group. What should I do if I am absent so I do not get behind in the course? Please email me from home to find out what topics were covered in class. Often, I have electronic copies which I can email you as an attachment. Read your book to familiarize yourself with the topic while at home. You may get notes from a classmate when you return or copy my notes during your study hall. What if I am absent on the day of a test? If you are absent on the day of a quiz/test, you should plan on taking the quiz/test on the day you return. What if I am absent the day before a test? If you are absent the day before a test and no new material was taught, you will take the exam with everyone else. If you have any questions on whether new material was taught during your absence, please email me from home. What if I am absent on the day a lab is due? Labs are assigned nearly one week in advance. Thus, If you are absent from school the day a lab is due, you must turn in the lab on the day you return from your absence. Late labs are accepted with a 20% point deduction for each day that the lab is late. Do you collect the textbook homework? As this is a college preparatory class, homework will NOT be collected on a DAILY basis. Nonetheless, recommended problems will be listed on each unit guide. It is STRONGLY recommended that students know how to do these problems in order to be successful in the class. Certain problem sets are collected or checked and will be graded on the students effort to acheive the correct answer. Worked solutions are always provided for students to review. Quarter grades are on a total point system and categories are not weighted. Grades are composed primarily of quizzes/tests, homework, and labs, and some labs are worth more than the test. Is there extra credit in AP Chemistry? Absoloutely. Take advantage of these opportunities. How often are grades updated online? Grades are updated after every unit test. How difficult is the AP Chemistry exam in May? First, the exam is graded on a curve. Typically, in recent years you need the equivalent of 50% correct to get a 3 on the exam, and 60% correct or higher to receive a 4 or 5. By the time you will take the exam, you will have completed 60-80 old free response questions thoughout the year in class, on tests, etc. You will also have completed 4 released multiple choice exams from the College Board. |
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