College Board
AP Chemistry
Advanced Placement Chemistry
A college-level introductory chemistry course covering atomic structure, bonding, reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium. A strong AP exam score can earn college credit and place students out of introductory chemistry.
Full program: 9 decks, 667 cards.
What's on the exam
AP Chemistry Course and Exam Description (nine-unit framework)
Unit 1: Atomic Structure and Properties
7-9%Moles and molar mass · Mass spectrometry · Electron configuration · Periodic trends · Photoelectron spectroscopy
Unit 2: Compound Structure and Properties
7-9%Types of chemical bonds · Lewis diagrams · VSEPR and molecular geometry · Properties of solids · Bond polarity
Unit 3: Properties of Substances and Mixtures
18-22%Intermolecular forces · States of matter and gas laws · Solutions and mixtures · Separation techniques · Spectroscopy and Beer-Lambert law
Unit 4: Chemical Reactions
7-9%Physical and chemical changes · Net ionic equations · Stoichiometry · Types of reactions · Oxidation-reduction
Unit 5: Kinetics
7-9%Reaction rates · Rate laws · Reaction mechanisms · Collision model and activation energy · Catalysis
Unit 6: Thermochemistry
7-9%Endothermic and exothermic reactions · Heat transfer and calorimetry · Enthalpy of reaction · Hess's law · Bond energies
Unit 7: Equilibrium
7-9%Reversible reactions and equilibrium · Equilibrium constants · Reaction quotient and Le Chatelier · Solubility equilibria · Free energy and equilibrium
Unit 8: Acids and Bases
11-15%pH and pOH · Strong and weak acids/bases · Acid-base titrations · Buffers · Molecular structure of acids and bases
Unit 9: Thermodynamics and Electrochemistry
7-9%Entropy · Gibbs free energy · Thermodynamic favorability · Coupled reactions · Electrochemistry and galvanic cells
Frequently asked questions
How much does the AP Chemistry cost?
The AP Chemistry costs $99. $99 per AP Exam in the US (2026-27); a College Board fee reduction of $37 per exam is available for eligible students.
How long is the AP Chemistry and how many questions does it have?
60 multiple-choice, 7 free-response (3 long, 4 short) — 3 hours 15 minutes.
What do you need to pass the AP Chemistry?
Scored 1-5; a 3 or higher is generally considered passing, though credit policies are set by each college.
Can you retake the AP Chemistry?
Once per year (next May administration).
What is the best way to study for the AP Chemistry?
Start from the official outline and your primary study materials: the exam is weighted by domain (Unit 1: Atomic Structure and Properties 7-9%, Unit 2: Compound Structure and Properties 7-9%, Unit 3: Properties of Substances and Mixtures 18-22%, Unit 4: Chemical Reactions 7-9%, Unit 5: Kinetics 7-9%, Unit 6: Thermochemistry 7-9%, Unit 7: Equilibrium 7-9%, Unit 8: Acids and Bases 11-15%, Unit 9: Thermodynamics and Electrochemistry 7-9%). Once you've learned the material, spaced-repetition flashcards organized by those domains are an efficient way to retain it and refresh it before test day.
Ready to prepare?
Our AP Chemistry program is organized by this outline's domains and scheduled by spaced repetition, with a path from first card to test day.
Flashcards are a memory tool. Learn the material first, then use NoReread to retain it and refresh what you already know. It doesn't replace studying the subject.