AP Chemistry Exam Format: Guide to Sections, Timing and Scoring
AP Chemistry Exam Overview
The Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry exam is split into two sections. Section I is a multiple choice paper. Here, candidates must respond to 60 questions in 1 hour and 30 minutes. Section I amounts to 50% of a student's total score. Section II is a free response paper, also worth 50% of the final grade. In this section, AP learners are given 1 hour and 45 minutes to answer three long-answer questions and four short-answer questions, so seven in total. Every long answer question is worth ten points, while the short answer questions are weighted at four points each.
Section |
Question type |
Timing |
Percentage of total grade |
|---|---|---|---|
I |
Multiple Choice |
1 hour 30 minutes |
50% |
II |
Free Response |
1 hour 45 minutes |
50% |
Section 1: Multiple Choice
Structure and Timing
As previously noted, Section I of the AP Chemistry exam is a multiple choice paper. Candidates have 1 hour and 30 minutes to respond to 60 questions, which converts to about 90 seconds per question. This means work must be completed at a considerable pace to ensure an attempt at each question is made. So, rather than stalling on a particularly challenging question, it is recommended to flag it and circle back later. This way, time can be saved.
Question Types
There are two question types that AP Chemistry students will encounter in Section I. The first, and most common, is the single-answer question. The second is a question set, i.e. a series of questions based on a stimulus or data set provided. Regardless of the question type, AP Chemistry learners are prohibited from using their calculators.
What to Expect
It is important for AP Chemistry students to keep in mind that the exam does not employ negative marking. This means that there are no penalties for wrong answers. Consequently, candidates should attempt every one of the 60 questions.
Lastly, Section I will include questions from all 9 of the AP Chemistry units. However, these will not be divided equally. For example, questions from Unit 1: Atomic Structure and Properties make up between 7-9% of the paper, while 18-22% of the questions on the paper relate to Unit 3: Properties of Substances and Mixtures.
Section 2: Free Response
Structure and Timing
The time allotted for Section II, the free response paper, is 1 hour and 45 minutes. AP Chemistry students must complete all seven questions on this paper. Three of these are long answer questions; four are short answer questions. The long free response questions are worth 10 points each, while the short free response questions are weighted at 4 points each. It is recommended that those sitting the AP Chemistry Section II paper spend roughly 20 minutes responding to the long answer questions and about 8 minutes for each of the four short answer questions.
FRQ Types and What They Assess
Each free response question (FRQ) challenges AP Chemistry students in different ways. Across the long answer and short answer free response questions, candidates will face quantitative problems, data analysis, and be required to provide multi-part explanations that explore a number of ideas across different units. To ensure success, AP Chemistry learners should familiarise themselves with the tasks verbs used in these questions. Without a clear understanding of what they are being asked to do, students will struggle to produce high scoring answers. It should also be noted that calculators are permitted throughout this section of the exam.
How Partial Credit Works
In Section II, the free response questions are divided into lettered parts. Each of these parts are scored individually. This means that, while a student may produce an incorrect final answer to a question, this does not cancel out the correct working shown in earlier parts. Similarly, examiners can award an ‘error carried forward’ credit. So, if an AP Chemistry candidate uses an incorrect value in, for example, part (a) correctly in part (b), a point may still be earned for part (b).
Considering the above information, it is crucial that students write out all of their workings and make sure that it is legible. Even if an error is made, marks can still be won.
AP Chemistry Scoring and the 1-5 Scale
The AP Chemistry scoring utilises two systems: a raw score and a 1-5 scale. A student's raw score consists of the sum of their marks earned across Sections I and II. From here, the raw score is converted into a 1 to 5 grade, with 5 being the highest possible grade.
Every year, the College Board releases the score distributions for each subject. As of 2026, 15% of candidates were awarded a 5; 31% attained a 4; 30% scored a 3; 18% were given a 2; and 6% were graded 1 out of 5.
Finally, AP students should make use of the College Board’s AP Credit Policy Search tool to find out whether their preferred college or university offers credit or placement for AP scores, as well as what is the minimum required score.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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There are two sections: Section I is a multi choice; Section II is free response.
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Broadly speaking, yes, this can be done. However, not every college offers credit for AP scores and there are minimum score requirements for those that do. To find out more, it is best to use the College Board’s AP Credit Policy Search.