The first part of the guide explains how the exam is constructed, how to review for the exam, and ranges of scores for 1989 and 1994. It discusses how the exam is scored and when it is advisable to guess at an answer. The manual even includes a discussion about distracters and estimating numerical answers. Following the discussion, there are three multiple-choice exams that should be used as diagnostic tools.

The review topics are divided into sixteen chapters covering five main parts of the freshman chemistry sequence: Structure of Matter, Chemical Bonding, States of Matter, Physical Chemistry, and Chemical Reactions. The arrangement of chapters is definitely not traditional. For instance, nuclear chemistry is covered in chapter three; chapter four is a mish-mash of naming compounds, balancing equations, and electron configurations that is not presented logically; chapter one has a discussion of the applications of quantum mechanics that is usually presented after stoichiometry in freshman chemistry texts. The traditional discussion of equilibrium is split between the physical chemistry (introduction) and the chemical reactions (acids and bases) units. The introductory discussions for each chapter are concise and clear, with appropriate examples and solutions interspersed throughout the discussion. At the end of each chapter, there are free-response questions that could be useful when it comes time to answer the questions in Part B of the exam. I disagree with the methodology presented to solve limiting-reagent problems, but it is still much better than many methods presented in freshman texts. There are few diagrams, so there is certainly not an emphasis in microscopic chemistry in this book.

I can say that, having served two terms on the ACS General Chemistry Examination Committee for the full-year course, there is much more emphasis on the writing of questions for the ACS exam than I have found in this manual. The use of four-versus-five choices in multiple-choice questions would make an interesting discussion in itself. However, that is a discussion a high-school senior cares nothing about. Overall, this is a solid guide for a review of freshman chemistry, but I’m not going to encourage my students to run out and buy a copy. Schaum’s and Cliff Notes make similar products that are cheaper and just as effective. I’ll put it on the bookshelf and use it for myself.