BR Organic Chemistry question

[byeh2004]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey guys,

How does the Berkeley Review organic chemistry book compare to the EK Ochem book? Thanks!

 

[kobe200LATE]

BR books are the best for OChem. They are very comprehensive and provide a lot of shortcuts.

 

[loveoforganic]

I don't have EK Organic chem, but I have EK 1001 O Chem and BR O. Chem. The passages in BR are definitely significantly more difficult than the discretes that EK 1001 offers. That's not exactly what you're looking for, but take it for what it's worth.

 

[BWSTW]

Hey guys,

How does the Berkeley Review organic chemistry book compare to the EK Ochem book? Thanks!

I'm also curious - I've heard that they are both good, but BR has more content review and would help more if you are shaky with ochem, and EK is more for people with a strong ochem background.

Is this accurate?😕

Thanks!

 

[phEight]

The most important difference in my opinion is the fact BR has tons of passages and detailed answer solutions. EK does not, it only reviews content (and also not as in depth as BR).

 

[BWSTW]

Thanks!

Awesome name btw!

 

[Substance P]

EK = Bare bones Ochem. If you don't need much of a review this is for you.

BR = Comprehensive Ochem review and tons of passages for review. If you are weak or shaky in Ochem this is for you.

I had both, but ended up using EK for 90% of my Ochem, just because I ran out of time and I used to tutor Ochem, so I felt fairly comfortable with it. But if I have to retake (I'll know soon enough), then I will use BR to get the comprehensive review and the passages.


I will also note that in my experience with Ochem passages (All the AAMC's, Kaplan 1-4 and the real deal) you don't really need the passage. It's good to skim, but the answers for the questions must come from your understanding of molecular interactions. So, if you're weak on how molecules interact AND why, go with BR, because the passages aren't going to help you answer those questions.

 

[BWSTW]

EK = Bare bones Ochem. If you don't need much of a review this is for you.

BR = Comprehensive Ochem review and tons of passages for review. If you are weak or shaky in Ochem this is for you.

I had both, but ended up using EK for 90% of my Ochem, just because I ran out of time and I used to tutor Ochem, so I felt fairly comfortable with it. But if I have to retake (I'll know soon enough), then I will use BR to get the comprehensive review and the passages.


I will also note that in my experience with Ochem passages (All the AAMC's, Kaplan 1-4 and the real deal) you don't really need the passage. It's good to skim, but the answers for the questions must come from your understanding of molecular interactions. So, if you're weak on how molecules interact AND why, go with BR, because the passages aren't going to help you answer those questions.

This is very helpful, thank you for your input! I have EK for most of the subjects, but I am thinking I'm going to go ahead and get BR for gen chem, ochem and physics.

I felt the same way about the passages on the few practice exams I've taken. Is it this way for the bio passages as well?

 

[Substance P]

This is very helpful, thank you for your input! I have EK for most of the subjects, but I am thinking I'm going to go ahead and get BR for gen chem, ochem and physics.

I felt the same way about the passages on the few practice exams I've taken. Is it this way for the bio passages as well?

No. The bio questions, for the most part, rely heavily on the passages.

 

[BWSTW]

Thanks again for the input. It's very helpful!