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AP Chemistry is a college-level course offered by the College Board to high school students who are interested in studying chemistry at an advanced level. It was opted by 141,000 students in 2023 as it is one of the preferred AP courses.
According to the class alumni survey, it has a difficulty rating of 7.3 out of 10. The pass rate of the 2023 AP Chemistry Exam was 75% and 15% of students scored a 5. AP Chemistry is known for its challenging curriculum and rigorous exams. It deals with topics such as stoichiometry, chemical equilibrium, and thermodynamics.
Course Contents
This course framework provides a clear and detailed description of the course requirements necessary for student success. The framework specifies what students must know, be able to do, and understand, with a focus on core principles and theories of the discipline. The framework also encourages instruction that prepares students for advanced chemistry coursework.
The AP Chemistry course framework is organized into nine commonly taught units of study that provide one possible sequence for the course. As always, you have the flexibility to organize the course content as you like.
| Unit | Details | Exam Weighting (Multiple-Choice Section) |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1: Atomic Structure and Properties | You’ll learn about the composition of atoms and ways scientists measure and categorize these building blocks of matter. | 7%–9% |
| Unit 2: Compound Structure and Properties | You’ll discover the range of chemical bonds and how their structure can affect the properties of the molecules created. | 7%–9% |
| Unit 3: Properties of Substances and Mixtures | You’ll explore how atoms come together to create solids, liquids, and gases, and how forces between particles govern the properties of everything around you. | 18%–22% |
| Unit 4: Chemical Reactions | You’ll learn how to differentiate physical and chemical processes, and how to measure and express chemical reactions via chemical equations. | 7%–9% |
| Unit 5: Kinetics | You’ll explore various methods to observe the changes that occur during a chemical reaction, the factors that influence reaction rate, and how it relates to a series of elementary reactions. | 7%–9% |
| Unit 6: Thermochemistry | You’ll learn about energy changes in chemical reactions and how a transfer of energy can change a substance’s physical qualities. | 7%–9% |
| Unit 7: Equilibrium | You’ll chart how chemical reactions change over time, what causes substances to reach equilibrium, and how systems react when that equilibrium is disturbed. | 7%–9% |
| Unit 8: Acids and Bases | You’ll learn more about pH, the qualities and properties of acids and bases, and how they interact in chemical reactions. | 11%–15% |
| Unit 9: Thermodynamics and Electrochemistry | You’ll be introduced to the concept of “thermodynamic favorability” for reactions, meaning how likely they are to occur given energy changes and environmental factors, and how chemical reactions can be used to generate electricity. | 7%–9% |
AP Chemistry Resources
AP Chemistry Exam Guide
Mar 27, 2025
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