CLEP Chemistry study plan

Classify substances as elements, compounds, or mixtures and distinguish homogeneous from heterogeneous mixtures using particle-level reasoning.

Draw and interpret Lewis dot structures for main-group atoms and simple molecules, predicting bonding type (ionic, covalent, polar covalent) from electronegativity differences.

Name and write formulas for common ionic and molecular compounds, including transition metals with Roman numeral charges.

Relate periodic trends (atomic radius, ionization energy, electronegativity) to position on the periodic table and explain each trend in terms of effective nuclear charge.

Predict molecular geometry and polarity from VSEPR electron-domain counts for 2- through 6-domain species.

Identify intermolecular forces (London dispersion, dipole-dipole, hydrogen bonding) present in a given substance and rank substances by boiling point.

Describe the kinetic-molecular model of gases and apply the ideal gas law to solve for P, V, n, or T.

Explain how pressure, volume, and temperature relate in the gas laws and identify conditions under which real gases deviate from ideal behavior.

Interpret heating and cooling curves in terms of phase changes, specific heat, and latent heat of fusion and vaporization.

Solve calorimetry problems involving q = mcΔT and heat of phase change, including multi-step heating problems.

Read and interpret phase diagrams, identifying triple point, critical point, and the significance of the solid-liquid line slope.

Explain the colligative properties of solutions (boiling point elevation, freezing point depression, osmotic pressure) and compute molality-based changes.

Distinguish solution concentration units (molarity, molality, mole fraction, mass percent) and convert between them.

Predict products and write balanced equations for common reaction classes: synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, and combustion.

Apply solubility rules to predict precipitation in double-replacement reactions and write net ionic equations.

Describe characteristic properties and reactions of major element families and groups (alkali metals, halogens, noble gases, transition metals).

Identify common laboratory reagents and gases by their observable properties (color, odor, precipitate formation, gas evolution).

Assign oxidation states to atoms in ions and compounds and identify oxidation and reduction half-reactions.

Balance redox equations in acidic and basic solution using the half-reaction method.

Perform stoichiometric calculations including limiting reactant, theoretical yield, and percent yield.

Convert between mass, moles, and particles using molar mass and Avogadro's number, and apply these to solution stoichiometry with molarity.

Write equilibrium constant expressions and calculate K or equilibrium concentrations from initial conditions using ICE tables.

Apply Le Chatelier's principle to predict the direction of shift for changes in concentration, pressure, and temperature.

Calculate pH, pOH, and hydronium and hydroxide concentrations for strong and weak acids and bases, using Ka and Kb.

Explain collision theory and the effect of concentration, temperature, surface area, and catalysts on reaction rate.

Interpret a rate law from given data and determine reaction order with respect to each reactant.

Distinguish exothermic from endothermic processes using enthalpy signs and energy diagrams, and apply Hess's law to compute enthalpy changes.

Interpret Gibbs free energy to determine spontaneity and predict the temperature dependence of a reaction's spontaneity from signs of delta-H and delta-S.

Identify appropriate laboratory equipment for a given measurement and select correct techniques for titration, filtration, and gravimetric analysis.

Design a controlled experiment that isolates one variable, and identify sources of error and their effect on the measured result.

Interpret and construct graphs from experimental data, including calibration curves and titration curves.

Complete two full-length timed practice exams under exam conditions and score each by domain.

Rank domains by accuracy and re-study the two lowest-scoring domains using targeted review.

Build and rehearse a personal formula and constants sheet covering gas laws, stoichiometry, equilibrium, and thermodynamics.

Review every missed item from all weeks and restate the underlying concept in one sentence each.