AP Chemistry Exam Format Explained (MCQs vs FRQs)

TLDR

• The AP Chemistry Exam is 3 hours 15 minutes (195 minutes) long.

• It has two equal sections:

  • Section I: 60 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), 90 minutes, worth 50% of your score.

  • Section II: 7 free-response questions (FRQs) — 3 long (~10 points each) + 4 short (~4 points each), 105 minutes, worth 50% of your score.

• A scientific or graphing calculator is allowed on both sections (updated rule).

• Understanding question types, scoring, and timing is key to mastering the exam.

Section I — Multiple Choice (MCQs)

Structure & Question Types

• 60 questions in total.

• Some are stand-alone, others are based on data sets, graphs, or scenarios.

• Questions cover all nine AP Chemistry units, from atomic structure to thermodynamics.

• Each question has 4 answer choices.

Timing & Strategy

• You have 90 minutes for 60 questions — roughly 1.5 minutes per question.

• There is no penalty for guessing, so answer every question.

• A simple pacing plan:

  1. Answer all easy questions first (~1 minute each).

  2. Flag tougher ones and return later.

  3. Leave 10–15 minutes for review.

• Practice with your calculator even though many questions can be solved quickly by estimation.

Common Pitfalls

• Spending too long on a tough set and running out of time.

• Misreading graphs, tables, or chemical data.

• Forgetting to come back to flagged questions.

Tutor Tip:
Train yourself to work without a calculator for basic arithmetic and unit conversions. It sharpens estimation skills and saves precious seconds on test day.

Section II — Free Response (FRQs)

Structure Overview

• 7 total questions: 3 long (10 points each) + 4 short (4 points each).

• You’ll have 105 minutes for this section.

• Questions test your ability to explain chemical reasoning, interpret data, design experiments, and solve quantitative problems.

Topics & Skills

FRQs draw from the same nine units as MCQs but emphasize higher-order thinking. Typical prompts include:

• Designing an experiment to test a hypothesis.

• Interpreting data tables or graphs to determine equilibrium or rate constants.

• Explaining the effect of temperature, pressure, or concentration on reaction behavior.
  You’ll also receive a periodic table and formula sheet during the exam, so focus on understanding concepts, not memorizing constants.

Timing Strategy

Divide the 105 minutes like this:

• Long questions: ~23 minutes each.

• Short questions: ~9–10 minutes each.

Approach tips:

1. Skim all 7 questions first (2–3 minutes).

2. Tackle shorter or easier ones first to build confidence.

3. Use remaining time on longer, calculation-heavy questions.

4. Keep 5–10 minutes at the end to review and add missing units or explanations.

Writing & Scoring Tips

• Show your work — partial credit is awarded for clear reasoning, even if the final number is off.

• Use correct units and significant figures.

• Reference provided data (“as shown in Table 1…”) when making claims.

• Be concise but complete — answer what’s asked, not more.

Scoring Breakdown

Raw Score → AP Score
Each section contributes half of your total composite score. Your raw points are scaled into the 1–5 AP score range. While exact cutoffs vary year to year, students typically need around 65–75% of total points for a top score.

Study & Timing Tips for 2025

• Practice pacing: Run through full 60-question MCQ sets in 90 minutes and timed FRQ sets in 105 minutes.

• Use past exams: Familiarize yourself with real question styles and grading rubrics.

• Focus on high-weight topics: Units 3, 4, 6, and 8 (bonding, kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamics).

• Master calculator efficiency: Learn quick operations, log/antilog, and stoichiometry functions.

• Simulate exam conditions: Complete a full 3-hour-15-minute mock once before test day.

• Keep an error log: Track common mistakes and revisit them weekly.

• Structure FRQ answers: Claim → Evidence → Reasoning.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the AP Chemistry exam format gives you a clear roadmap for preparation. Once you know how each section works, you can study efficiently, pace yourself wisely, and reduce exam-day stress.

Want to push your score even higher?
📞 Book a free strategy session with one of our AP Chemistry tutors and start preparing with expert guidance.