Lesson 10
CHEMISTRY SUBJECT TEST
The Chemistry Subject Test consists of 85 multiple-choice questions. In terms of its overall level of
difficulty, the test is intended for students who have had a one-year introductory course in chemistry of
the sort that is included in a college preparatory curriculum.
The following table summarizes the topics tested and the approximate number of questions for each:
Topics Tested Approximate Percentage of Test
Structure of Matter 25
States of Matter 15
Reaction Types 14
Stoichiometry 12
Equilibrium and Reaction Rates 7
Thermodynamics 6
Descriptive Chemistry 13
Laboratory 8
Although 85 questions is a lot to answer in an hour, that is not a large number of questions when
compared with the amount of information that is conveyed in a full-year course in chemistry. For this
reason, not everything you learned in chemistry can be the basis for a test question. Conversely, you may
encounter some questions that test areas not emphasized in your course.The outline of important concepts
(below) is intended to help you refresh your memory in a general way about the concepts you learned in
your chemistry course.
QUESTIONS USED IN THE CHEMISTRY SUBJECT TEST
The Chemistry Test uses several different question formats, and you should be familiar with these before
you do the practice test contained in this book.
ARCO ■ SAT II Subject Tests 279 www.petersons.com/arco
,Useful Links:
Redesigned SAT Practice Tests: http://www.cracksat.net/sat-tests/
SAT Online Practice Tests: http://www.cracksat.net/tests/
SAT Subjects Tests: http://www.cracksat.net/sat2/
SAT Downloads: http://www.cracksat.net/sat-downloads/
For more redesigned SAT information, please visit http://www.cracksat.net
SAT Downloads:
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SAT real tests download:
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SAT official guide tests download:
http://www.cracksat.net/sat-downloads/sat-official-guide-tests.html
SAT online course tests download:
http://www.cracksat.net/sat-downloads/sat-online-course-tests.html
SAT subject tests download:
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PSAT real tests download:
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1000+ College Admission Essay Samples:
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, 280 Lesson 10
Classification Questions
This type of question uses the same set of answer choices for several items.
EXAMPLE:
Questions 1–4 refer to the following elements:
(A) Li
(B) Si
(C) K
(D) Pb
(E) O
1. Which element has the lowest first ionization energy?
2. Which element has the highest electronegativity?
3. Which element can form tetrahalides?
4. Which element has the largest atomic radius?
These four questions require knowledge about how certain properties of elements vary within the
periodic table. The first question deals with the property of ionization energy. Group IA elements have the
lowest first ionization energies within a given period; also, ionization energy decreases from top to bot-
tom within a given group. Using these two statements, one can determine that K (potassium) has the
lowest first ionization energy.
The second question requires one to know how the property of electronegativity varies in the peri-
odic table. Electronegativity increases from left to right in the periodic table. O, oxygen, a member of
group VIA, has the highest electronegativity.
To answer the third question, one must examine the valence characteristics of the elements listed. Si,
silicon, which is a group IVA element, has four valence electrons that it can share with four halogen atoms
to form a tetrahalide.
Question four deals with the property of atomic radius; atomic radius decreases from left to right in
the periodic table but increases from top to bottom. Pb, lead, since it is so near the bottom of the table, has
the largest atomic radius.
Roman Numeral Questions
For this type of question, the answer choices are always a mix of Roman numeral statements.
EXAMPLE:
In order to calculate the volume of an ideal gas given one set of conditions, one must know
which of the following?
I. Pressure of the gas
II. Number of moles of the gas
III. Temperature of the gas
(A) I only
(B) I and II only
(C) I and III only
(D) II and III only
(E) I, II, and III
www.petersons.com/arco ARCO ■ SAT II Subject Tests
CHEMISTRY SUBJECT TEST
The Chemistry Subject Test consists of 85 multiple-choice questions. In terms of its overall level of
difficulty, the test is intended for students who have had a one-year introductory course in chemistry of
the sort that is included in a college preparatory curriculum.
The following table summarizes the topics tested and the approximate number of questions for each:
Topics Tested Approximate Percentage of Test
Structure of Matter 25
States of Matter 15
Reaction Types 14
Stoichiometry 12
Equilibrium and Reaction Rates 7
Thermodynamics 6
Descriptive Chemistry 13
Laboratory 8
Although 85 questions is a lot to answer in an hour, that is not a large number of questions when
compared with the amount of information that is conveyed in a full-year course in chemistry. For this
reason, not everything you learned in chemistry can be the basis for a test question. Conversely, you may
encounter some questions that test areas not emphasized in your course.The outline of important concepts
(below) is intended to help you refresh your memory in a general way about the concepts you learned in
your chemistry course.
QUESTIONS USED IN THE CHEMISTRY SUBJECT TEST
The Chemistry Test uses several different question formats, and you should be familiar with these before
you do the practice test contained in this book.
ARCO ■ SAT II Subject Tests 279 www.petersons.com/arco
,Useful Links:
Redesigned SAT Practice Tests: http://www.cracksat.net/sat-tests/
SAT Online Practice Tests: http://www.cracksat.net/tests/
SAT Subjects Tests: http://www.cracksat.net/sat2/
SAT Downloads: http://www.cracksat.net/sat-downloads/
For more redesigned SAT information, please visit http://www.cracksat.net
SAT Downloads:
Redesigned SAT Downloads: http://www.cracksat.net/sat-downloads/
SAT real tests download:
http://www.cracksat.net/sat-downloads/sat-real-tests.html
SAT official guide tests download:
http://www.cracksat.net/sat-downloads/sat-official-guide-tests.html
SAT online course tests download:
http://www.cracksat.net/sat-downloads/sat-online-course-tests.html
SAT subject tests download:
http://www.cracksat.net/sat-downloads/sat-subject-tests.html
PSAT real tests download:
http://www.cracksat.net/psat/download/
1000+ College Admission Essay Samples:
http://www.cracksat.net/college-admission/essays/
, 280 Lesson 10
Classification Questions
This type of question uses the same set of answer choices for several items.
EXAMPLE:
Questions 1–4 refer to the following elements:
(A) Li
(B) Si
(C) K
(D) Pb
(E) O
1. Which element has the lowest first ionization energy?
2. Which element has the highest electronegativity?
3. Which element can form tetrahalides?
4. Which element has the largest atomic radius?
These four questions require knowledge about how certain properties of elements vary within the
periodic table. The first question deals with the property of ionization energy. Group IA elements have the
lowest first ionization energies within a given period; also, ionization energy decreases from top to bot-
tom within a given group. Using these two statements, one can determine that K (potassium) has the
lowest first ionization energy.
The second question requires one to know how the property of electronegativity varies in the peri-
odic table. Electronegativity increases from left to right in the periodic table. O, oxygen, a member of
group VIA, has the highest electronegativity.
To answer the third question, one must examine the valence characteristics of the elements listed. Si,
silicon, which is a group IVA element, has four valence electrons that it can share with four halogen atoms
to form a tetrahalide.
Question four deals with the property of atomic radius; atomic radius decreases from left to right in
the periodic table but increases from top to bottom. Pb, lead, since it is so near the bottom of the table, has
the largest atomic radius.
Roman Numeral Questions
For this type of question, the answer choices are always a mix of Roman numeral statements.
EXAMPLE:
In order to calculate the volume of an ideal gas given one set of conditions, one must know
which of the following?
I. Pressure of the gas
II. Number of moles of the gas
III. Temperature of the gas
(A) I only
(B) I and II only
(C) I and III only
(D) II and III only
(E) I, II, and III
www.petersons.com/arco ARCO ■ SAT II Subject Tests
