Chemistry study materials and Clep test

[argentnox]

Thank you for all of the good links! I need chem to get into biochem, but I would rather not take BOTH as classes. I was thinking of taking both classes just to get them out of the way, but the CLEP then taking the class sounds easier. I do not technically NEED either one for my degree, but it will look better for my undergrad application to have a biochem class.

[NAP]

That is good advice MadMax. I am planning to go through Excelsior College, so I don't expect to need the lab, but I would also recommend that each person who is taking the Chemistry or Biology CLEP should check with their school about the lab requirement.

I know that you studied well for this but still did not pass. I am going to try to learn from your experience and be sure to give myself enough time to absorb the material and be ready for the exam.

Thanks for your help.

[Sunshine]

Another update:

I was hoping to take this exam next month, but I think I am going to need a few more weeks to study, so the earliest I will try it is mid-September.

Go NAP! Have you taken any Peterson's exams yet?

I have also ordered 2 more books - Chemistry Concepts and Problems and REA CLEP.
Amazon.com: Chemistry: Concepts and Problems: A Self-Teaching Guide (Wiley Self-Teaching Guides): Clifford C. Houk, Richard Post: Books

Cool! I have this book also, and it's awesome. I've only completed the first few chapters though.

Sunshine - Have you started to study for this? When are you planning to take it?

Not officially. I am trying to knock out English and math through SL first. My algebra is rusty, and I think I'll need it for chem. I'm aiming for sometime in late August.

[desuu]

I took the Chemistry CLEP last summer and did pretty well.

As reccomneded before, use:
[URL="http://www.amazon.com/Chemistry-Concepts-Problems-Self-Teaching-Guides/dp/0471121207/ref=pd_sim_b_5"]
Chemistry: Concepts and Problems[/URL].

It's a great review of what you learn in general chemistry (for the most part), and prepares you for the CLEP exam.

I recently used the Peterson exams to prepare for a test, and they were extremely helpful. Albiet hard, but fantastic at preparation.

Sorry I couldn't contribute any new information. Good luck!

[NAP]

Desuu – Thank you for sharing that the Concepts and Problems book was helpful in passing the exam. That is good to know.

Sunshine – Thank you for the encouragement. I need it.

No, I have not tried Peterson’s, yet. I am saving those for later. I wonder if they also have AP practice exams, which could be helpful for this.

Getting your math skills refreshed is a good idea, especially how to solve for x. Being good at using formulas and knowing how to set up word problems is helpful, too.

Also, I was studying organic chemistry in the Schaum’s book yesterday, when the other 2 books arrived. (The CLEP Official Study Guide does have at least one organic chemistry question on the practice exam.) I noticed that the Concepts and Problems book does not cover organic chemistry. The REA book does have a whole chart of organic compounds and their functional groups. CliffNotes has a partial chart (figure 4) and an explanation of alkane, alkene, alkyne.

Chemistry: Compounds with Additional Elements - CliffsNotes

You’ll want to find a chart that also has ketone, ether, ester, amide, and halide.

[NAP]

The next chapter in Schaum's covers Thermodynamics. The Official Clep Study Guide says it will be 5% of the test. I am not seeing anything about it in Concepts and Problems. There is a chapter in REA. Also, CliffNotes has a whole section on it.

Chemistry: Introduction to Thermodynamics - CliffsNotes

[NAP]

I would recommend the REA book with practice tests. It is like a concise list of notes for the Chemistry exam. I would need to have learned most of the material through other sources, though. Also there are some errors so download the Errata mentioned in customer feedback at Amazon.

Interactives . The Periodic Table . Intro - I really enjoyed using this excellent website on the Periodic Table.

I am just starting to take practice exams. I hope to take this exam as soon as next week.

How are your Chemistry studies coming Sunshine?

[Sunshine]

How are your Chemistry studies coming Sunshine?

Slowly. :p I finished the REA guide, but I'm not ready to take the practice tests yet. I've been watching the MIT lectures, and they help. I've been using this site from McGraw-Hill, and it's a good review. http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/classwar...yTree=true
How are your studies coming? I'm excited to hear about how your practice exams go!

[NAP]

I passed Chemistry with a 67! I posted my feedback here:

http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...#post66172

My very best wishes to all who are studying for this exam!! I know you can learn the material and pass the Chemistry exam, too!

[CLEP_enthusiast]

Did you ever use Aleks or has anyone used Aleks to study for the Chemistry CLEP?

Aleks is a good program and I know they offer two courses: General College Chemistry semester one and semester two.