for those people who did good on the chemistry section for the october test, how did u prepare yourself for that section? what materials did u use? i'm so worry about chemistry because for chem 1 and 2 i had a really bad teacher and i felt like i didnt learn anything. please help!!!
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Chem Section
Started by asianbabigrl87
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I did well on the August chemistry section, so hopefully that will suffice.
A question first, though: you say you don't feel you learned much in chem 1&2, but have you taken organic yet? It's a must before you hit the PCAT, unless you are really good at teaching yourself.
I had taken general chemistry in 2001, and organic in 2002, when I took the 2007 August PCAT. So I was worried-- none of the material was all that fresh in my mind. I bought Kaplan's 2006 PCAT prep book and started studying, covering a chapter or so each week, a few months before the test. Did lots of review problems, made sure that I knew necessary equations, got a tight hold on all of the concepts, that sort of thing. I also used my old AP Chem study guide (The Princeton Review, 2000-2001 edition) and reviewed several websites that covered the basic organic reactions (SN1, SN2, E1, E2, etc), since neither book covered those.
I ended up with a 99% in chemistry. Granted, though, I had done well in those courses when I took them the first time around, so some of that studying was only mild review. Pay special attention to anything that is unfamiliar, but make sure to look over things you think you know, too. Best of luck to you!
A question first, though: you say you don't feel you learned much in chem 1&2, but have you taken organic yet? It's a must before you hit the PCAT, unless you are really good at teaching yourself.
I had taken general chemistry in 2001, and organic in 2002, when I took the 2007 August PCAT. So I was worried-- none of the material was all that fresh in my mind. I bought Kaplan's 2006 PCAT prep book and started studying, covering a chapter or so each week, a few months before the test. Did lots of review problems, made sure that I knew necessary equations, got a tight hold on all of the concepts, that sort of thing. I also used my old AP Chem study guide (The Princeton Review, 2000-2001 edition) and reviewed several websites that covered the basic organic reactions (SN1, SN2, E1, E2, etc), since neither book covered those.
I ended up with a 99% in chemistry. Granted, though, I had done well in those courses when I took them the first time around, so some of that studying was only mild review. Pay special attention to anything that is unfamiliar, but make sure to look over things you think you know, too. Best of luck to you!
The chemistry section had very simple problems. Review gen chem 1 & 2 stuff. Since there are no calculators don't be expecting anything crazy mathematically, just simple numbers/simple algebra (pressure chem, stoichiometry, mole conversions, etc ....simple stuff). The August test had a lot of simple organic reaction as mentioned in the post above, nomenclature, and functional groups. I did Kaplan, but wouldn't really bother with it if I were you. The questions were much easier. Just move quick and skip potentially lengthy problems, they are meant to trap you. There were definitely easy questions awaiting me at the end of the section! I got a 98 on the Chem section 👍
yes i took organic I already, and i am more confident about organic chemistry than general chemistry. i heard people said that there arent many calculations on the test then whats on there? most conceptual? 
I did well on the August chemistry section, so hopefully that will suffice.
A question first, though: you say you don't feel you learned much in chem 1&2, but have you taken organic yet? It's a must before you hit the PCAT, unless you are really good at teaching yourself.
I had taken general chemistry in 2001, and organic in 2002, when I took the 2007 August PCAT. So I was worried-- none of the material was all that fresh in my mind. I bought Kaplan's 2006 PCAT prep book and started studying, covering a chapter or so each week, a few months before the test. Did lots of review problems, made sure that I knew necessary equations, got a tight hold on all of the concepts, that sort of thing. I also used my old AP Chem study guide (The Princeton Review, 2000-2001 edition) and reviewed several websites that covered the basic organic reactions (SN1, SN2, E1, E2, etc), since neither book covered those.
I ended up with a 99% in chemistry. Granted, though, I had done well in those courses when I took them the first time around, so some of that studying was only mild review. Pay special attention to anything that is unfamiliar, but make sure to look over things you think you know, too. Best of luck to you!
