ACS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ACS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the ACS Award in Polymer Chemistry? → Recognition for outstanding contributions to the field of polymer chemistry research
2. Which ACS journal focuses on the development and application of analytical methods and instrumentation? → Analytical Chemistry
3. What ACS award is specifically designed to recognize contributions to green chemistry? → Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards (jointly with EPA)
4. What is the 'Just Accepted' feature in ACS publications? → Posting of accepted manuscripts online before formal editing and typesetting
5. Which ACS journal is one of the most widely cited peer-reviewed scientific journals, covering all areas of chemistry? → Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS)
6. What is the ACS 'Fellow' designation (FACS)? → An honor recognizing members for outstanding contributions to chemistry and to ACS
7. What is the CAS Registry Number? → A unique numerical identifier assigned to every chemical substance
8. Which ACS body formally represents the membership in policy decisions at the national governance level? → The ACS Council, composed of elected councilors from local sections and divisions
9. Which ACS member benefit provides access to a network of chemistry professionals and job listings? → ACS JobSpot / Careers
10. How many founding members did ACS have when it was established in 1876? → 35 founding members
11. Which ACS journal covers the synthesis, properties, and applications of materials used in technology and engineering? → Chemistry of Materials
12. Which statement about the treatment of human subjects in chemical research aligns with ACS ethical standards? → Chemical exposure studies on humans require IRB approval and informed consent
13. What does the ACS principle of 'responsible use of chemicals' require of professional chemists regarding hazardous substances? → Minimize use of hazardous chemicals and dispose of waste according to regulations
14. Which ACS publication is a weekly newsmagazine covering news and developments in chemistry and chemical engineering? → Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN)
15. Which ACS event is specifically designed for undergraduate students? → ACS Undergraduate Program
16. What is the ACS Award for Creative Work in Synthetic Organic Chemistry? → Recognition for exceptional creativity in developing new synthetic methods or molecules
17. What benefit does ACS membership provide through the ACS Publications platform? → Discounted article processing charges and access to select ACS journal content
18. What resource does the ACS offer for chemists seeking to publish their research? → ACS Peer Review Training
19. How does the ACS support chemistry education at the college level? → By offering ACS-certified degree programs
20. Which ACS program is designed to help early-career chemists develop leadership skills? → ACS Leadership Development System
21. According to ACS ethical guidelines, what is a chemist's primary obligation when they discover a significant error in their published research? → Promptly notify the journal editor and issue a correction or retraction
22. When did Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS), now a major ACS division, begin abstracting chemical literature? → 1907
23. When a chemist is asked to provide expert testimony in a legal case, ACS ethical guidelines require them to: → Provide objective, scientifically accurate testimony regardless of who retained them
24. Which behavior violates the ACS principle of responsible communication of chemical information? → Selectively reporting only data that supports a hypothesis
25. In what year was the American Chemical Society founded? → 1876
26. The ACS Chemical Professional's Code of Conduct includes responsibilities toward the public. Which action best fulfills this obligation? → Communicating accurate chemical information to the public, including potential risks
27. When is it ethically permissible for a chemist to break confidentiality about proprietary information under ACS guidelines? → When there is an imminent threat to public health or safety that requires disclosure
28. What does the ACS 'AuthorChoice' program allow researchers to do? → Make their published articles freely accessible online
29. What is the Priestley Medal, ACS's highest honor? → The highest honor given by ACS for distinguished contributions to chemistry
30. Which statement accurately reflects ACS guidance on the use of artificial intelligence tools in chemical research and publication? → Authors must disclose use of AI writing tools and take full responsibility for the content