Free University Project

General Chemistry
Last Update: July 7, 2004

Exam type:
CLEP: 80 multiple choice questions in 90 minutes
Typical credits: 6 units

The CLEP Exam

The CLEP Exam in General Chemistry is similar to a one year course taught at many colleges.

NOTE: There is no on-line course that appears to relate directly to this exam. I have drawn from several courses and exhibits that seem to reflect the content required on the CLEP. Featured faculty and their home pages can be found at the end of this page.

(I didn't promise you a rose garden. See disclaimer.)

The topics in bold face are those The College Board indicates will be found on the exams. The percentages given after the main topic headings are only approximate. Always contact The College Board for the latest information. (Click on descriptions.)

Getting Started

Here is one way that you can begin. (If you haven't read a general step-by-step guide, this might be a good time. See also How to Budget Your Time)

Access to a good encyclopedia is a must: in book form, CD-ROM or online. You will gain familiarity with an overview of the course material and an introduction to concepts, key individuals and vocabularly specific to the Natural Sciences.

Here are topics that you should definitely look up before you begin using other materials:

  1. Chemistry
  2. Chemistry, Physical
  3. Chemistry, Inorganic
  4. Chemistry, Organic
  5. Chemical Reaction
  6. Matter
  7. Matter, States of
  8. Molecule
  9. Gases
  10. Atom/Atomic Theory
  11. Ionization
  12. Acids and Bases
  13. Thermodynamics

Using the Free University Project Study Guide

A) Read the Introductory Material suggested in the Study Guide.

B) Read the material in each topic. In order to stay focussed, only follow those links within the lectures and outlines that seem to be directly related to the subject matter at hand. Take your own notes. If you print out the material, highlight key definitions and concepts for review. Add your own marginal notes.

C) Read corresponding material in a textbook of your choice. D) Periodically take time to review; do suggested exercises; take a practice CLEP exam and review areas of weakness.

Remember to keep your journal up to date.

Study Guide

The basic framework for the study guide is provided by two sets of lecture notes:
  • General Chemistry Online Fred Senese - Frostburg State University
  • General Chemistry R.H. Logan

    Additionally, several related courses are recommended for review purposes as they contain online tests.

    PLEASE NOTE: EMERGENCY UPDATE -- In addition to updates of URLs from the prior revision of the Study Guide (which appear below), I have included new material that both replaces some links which have disappeared and added new material, including an on-demand video course. In a future revision of the Study Guide in Chemistry these will be incorporated by subtopic -- but they are too valuable to wait until that task is completed.-- JS

    click here for the update.

    Introduction

  • Introduction (Senese)
  • First Things, First: Syllabus (Logan)
  • Basic Math Concepts (Logan)
  • Measurement (Senese)
  • Introduction to Chemistry (Gladney)
  • See also the Glossary on the General Chemistry Online

    Structure of Matter 20%

  • Matter (Senese)
  • Atoms and ions (Senese)
  • Composition of Matter (Logan)

  • Atomic Structure (Logan)
  • Periodic Trends of the Elements (Logan)
  • The quantum theory (Senese)
  • Electrons in atoms (Senese)

  • Chemical Bonding (Logan)
  • Molecular Geometry (Logan)
  • Molecules and compounds (Senese)

  • The periodic table (Senese)
  • WebElements the periodic table on the WWW - Mark Winter - University of Sheffield

    Review and Look Ahead

  • Unit 1: Back to the Basics (Chem 101)

    States of Matter 19%

  • Chemical change (senese)

  • The mole concept (Senese)
  • Gases (Senese)
  • Equations, Formulas, and Stoichiometry (Logan)
  • Behavior of Gases (Logan)

  • Thermochemistry And Spontaneity (Logan)
  • Liquids and solids (Logan)
  • Solutions (Logan)

  • Unit 6: Solubility and Redox Reactions (Chem 101)

  • Unit 3: Chemical Bonding (Chem 101)

    Reactions 12%

  • Energy and chemical change (Senese)

  • Unit 2: Advanced Basics (Chem 101)

    Thermodynamics 5%

  • Unit 5: Thermodynamics (Chem 101)

    Kinetics 4%

  • Rates of Reactions-Kinetics (Logan)
  • Molecular Equilibrium of Gaseous Systems (Logan)
  • Ionic Equilibrium:Acids, Bases, and Salts (Logan)

    Equilibrium 7%

  • Unit 7: Equilibrium And Acids (Chem 101)

  • Electrochemistry (Logan)

    Review

  • Check out the Help Files from Virginia Tech.
  • See also their Notes on Advanced Chemical Topics

    Descriptive Chemistry 14%

  • Unit 4: Up Close: The Periodic Table of Elements (Chem 101)

  • Introduction to Organic Chemistry (Logan)
  • Introduction to Biochemistry (Logan)

    Experimental Chemistry 9%

    ChemLab Instruments & Techniques. Click on Techniques and then chose a course for experiments. (Dartmouth)

    Online Exams

  • Practice Problems by Topic (Logan)
  • Mark's Chemistry Tutor from (Logan)
  • Advanced Chemical Topics homepage. Click on Laboratory
  • Review Problem Set (problem sets developed by S.E. Van Bramer for chemistry and environmental science courses at Widener University.) from (Logan)

    • companion web site General Chemistry, Hill & Petrucci (Prentice Hall chemistry text book)

    Addison-Wesley Chemistry companion web site

    Links to faculty home pages
    NOTE: Please don't bug the professors. They have been generous enough just by taking the time and effort to put their material on the Web. And please don't e-mail responses to their tests. Such responses are limited to students actually enrolled in the class.

    Related On-Line Texts - to come

    Internet Resources - to come

    Good Luck!

    and let us know how you are doing.

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    Copyright © 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003 Free University Project
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    Earlier update: June 10, 1999
    Partial update: Nov. 3, 2003
    Last update: July 7, 2004