AP Revision
Content
AP Chemistry
2013–14
AP will begin offering the redesigned course in fall 2013, followed by the exam in
May 2014.
Revisions at a Glance
A new curriculum framework describes the content knowledge and thinking
skills students should demonstrate for success on the exam.
The new AP Chemistry Course and Exam Description is organized around six big
ideas in chemistry, which serve to focus and structure the course. It also includes a
set of learning objectives that describe the content knowledge and thinking skills
that students should demonstrate to succeed on the AP Exam. Each learning
objective combines science content with one or more of the thinking skills
described in the science practices.
Content has been reduced to help teachers focus on developing conceptual
understanding.
By reducing content, teachers get the time and flexibility they need to explore key
concepts of chemistry through the science practices and hands-on guided-inquiry
labs.
Students are encouraged to apply the science practices.
The course supports student achievement through multiple opportunities to test,
evaluate, and refine explanations and predictions of natural phenomena through
the following science practices:
o Generating representations and models
o Developing strategies for collecting data
o Making connections across scales, concepts, and domains.
Students’ conceptual understanding of the particulate nature of matter is
emphasized.
The redesigned course supports students in mastering the quantitative aspects of
chemistry, by enhancing their qualitative understanding and visualization of the
particulate nature of matter.
Scientific inquiry and student-directed labs are stressed.
Moving away from a lecture-and-demonstration model toward a collaborative
approach, the redesigned course offers students many opportunities to take risks,
apply inquiry skills, and direct and monitor their own progress toward academic
goals.
The AP Course Audit
AP Chemistry teachers will need to submit a new syllabus and course audit form based
on the current course requirements, and have it authorized through the AP Course Audit.
The audit process is designed to ensure that teachers understand the revised course
requirements thoroughly and receive the support they need to create a syllabus.
January 31, 2014 is the deadline for submitting a revised syllabus.
AP Chemistry Labs
AP Chemistry Guided-Inquiry Experiments: Applying the Science Practices (teacher
version) is now available online. This new resource features 16 labs where students
explore chemical concepts, questions of interest, correct lab techniques and safety
procedures. Students will participate in 16 labs during the year, down from 22 in
previous years, a reduction that provides time for them to complete at least six guidedinquiry investigations.
Professional Development
AP offers a wide range of professional development options to ensure that teachers have
access to the training they need to implement course revisions. These include one-day,
face-to-face workshops and AP Summer Institutes, as well as online workshops and
events, where participants learn practical ways to design a rigorous curriculum and
prepare students for success in the redesigned course.
The AP Chemistry Teacher Community is an online forum, moderated by fellow
educators, where AP teachers connect with colleagues, share classroom materials, and
exchange ideas. Join the community today and begin conversations with peers.
More Information
For more on the topics covered above, download FAQs for AP Chemistry.
Proposed Action Plan
Read the AP Chemistry Course and Exam Description.
Become familiar with the AP Course Audit process. Look for updated curricular
materials in March 2013.
Plan to participate in professional development to become more familiar with the
course revisions and receive support in planning.
Join the AP Chemistry Teacher Community and collaborate with your peers in
planning for the new course.
2013–14
AP will begin offering the redesigned course in fall 2013, followed by the exam in
May 2014.
Revisions at a Glance
A new curriculum framework describes the content knowledge and thinking
skills students should demonstrate for success on the exam.
The new AP Chemistry Course and Exam Description is organized around six big
ideas in chemistry, which serve to focus and structure the course. It also includes a
set of learning objectives that describe the content knowledge and thinking skills
that students should demonstrate to succeed on the AP Exam. Each learning
objective combines science content with one or more of the thinking skills
described in the science practices.
Content has been reduced to help teachers focus on developing conceptual
understanding.
By reducing content, teachers get the time and flexibility they need to explore key
concepts of chemistry through the science practices and hands-on guided-inquiry
labs.
Students are encouraged to apply the science practices.
The course supports student achievement through multiple opportunities to test,
evaluate, and refine explanations and predictions of natural phenomena through
the following science practices:
o Generating representations and models
o Developing strategies for collecting data
o Making connections across scales, concepts, and domains.
Students’ conceptual understanding of the particulate nature of matter is
emphasized.
The redesigned course supports students in mastering the quantitative aspects of
chemistry, by enhancing their qualitative understanding and visualization of the
particulate nature of matter.
Scientific inquiry and student-directed labs are stressed.
Moving away from a lecture-and-demonstration model toward a collaborative
approach, the redesigned course offers students many opportunities to take risks,
apply inquiry skills, and direct and monitor their own progress toward academic
goals.
The AP Course Audit
AP Chemistry teachers will need to submit a new syllabus and course audit form based
on the current course requirements, and have it authorized through the AP Course Audit.
The audit process is designed to ensure that teachers understand the revised course
requirements thoroughly and receive the support they need to create a syllabus.
January 31, 2014 is the deadline for submitting a revised syllabus.
AP Chemistry Labs
AP Chemistry Guided-Inquiry Experiments: Applying the Science Practices (teacher
version) is now available online. This new resource features 16 labs where students
explore chemical concepts, questions of interest, correct lab techniques and safety
procedures. Students will participate in 16 labs during the year, down from 22 in
previous years, a reduction that provides time for them to complete at least six guidedinquiry investigations.
Professional Development
AP offers a wide range of professional development options to ensure that teachers have
access to the training they need to implement course revisions. These include one-day,
face-to-face workshops and AP Summer Institutes, as well as online workshops and
events, where participants learn practical ways to design a rigorous curriculum and
prepare students for success in the redesigned course.
The AP Chemistry Teacher Community is an online forum, moderated by fellow
educators, where AP teachers connect with colleagues, share classroom materials, and
exchange ideas. Join the community today and begin conversations with peers.
More Information
For more on the topics covered above, download FAQs for AP Chemistry.
Proposed Action Plan
Read the AP Chemistry Course and Exam Description.
Become familiar with the AP Course Audit process. Look for updated curricular
materials in March 2013.
Plan to participate in professional development to become more familiar with the
course revisions and receive support in planning.
Join the AP Chemistry Teacher Community and collaborate with your peers in
planning for the new course.
