DAT- Organic Chem

[Redfay]

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Hello,

I am planning to apply to dental school in July 2018 for 2019 batch. I have not taken Org chem yet, planning to study on my own and giving myself 3-4 months before DAT. Is it doable? what's your recommendation? What type of study material would you recommend for a rookie?

TIA!

 

[jttzz112]

Its definitely doable! I would recommend Chad's videos to get the basics down and then move on to DAT destroyer to hone your knowledge and then finally DAT bootcamp to test yourself 🙂 good luck!

 

[Pearl E. White]

I agree with the suggestion for materials.

 

[I-hate-alginate]

If you haven't taken organic 1 or 2 then I don't recommend you studying it on your own for the DAT. I know ppl who used to go to class every time, ask as many questions as they can, yet they still struggled. On the exam, you only need to make several mistakes to do bad on each section. Chad doesn't give everything you need to kill the DAT. Taking Organic 1 and 2 Is the reason why I got a 30 on ochem, not chad or destroyer, they were just a review.

 

[jttzz112]

If you haven't taken organic 1 or 2 then I don't recommend you studying it on your own for the DAT. I know ppl who used to go to class every time, ask as many questions as they can, yet they still struggled. On the exam, you only need to make several mistakes to do bad on each section. Chad doesn't give everything you need to kill the DAT. Taking Organic 1 and 2 Is the reason why I got a 30 on ochem, not chad or destroyer, they were just a review.

True, I suppose it is different from person to person. I started studying about 3 years after I took orgo 2 and genuinely forgot just about everything. I also only took 2 biology courses before taking the DAT. In my opinion the study materials out there are so good that with enough time and proper studying you can score very well without taking the classes.

Edit: granted I did not score a 30 on ochem but did get 24 TS with really just the study materials

 

[I-hate-alginate]

True, I suppose it is different from person to person. I started studying about 3 years after I took orgo 2 and genuinely forgot just about everything. I also only took 2 biology courses before taking the DAT. In my opinion the study materials out there are so good that with enough time and proper studying you can score very well without taking the classes.

Edit: granted I did not score a 30 on ochem but did get 24 TS with really just the study materials

Everyone is different indeed. In your case, deep down you were still familiar with Alkenes and alkynes, you just probably forgot about the mechanisms and reactions, which in this case, you only needed a "long" review. Imagine how op will feel when he/she starts learning about those reactions on his/her own. The NMR/IR are a whole different ball game too.... I definitely don't recommend anyone to start from scratch, especially for organic, on the DAT, because we all know how these exams are graded

 

[jttzz112]

Everyone is different indeed. In your case, deep down you were still familiar with Alkenes and alkynes, you just probably forgot about the mechanisms and reactions, which in this case, you only needed a "long" review. Imagine how op will feel when he/she starts learning about those reactions on his/her own. The NMR/IR are a whole different ball game too.... I definitely don't recommend anyone to start from scratch, especially for organic, on the DAT, because we all know how these exams are graded

I completely agree with you that it is not the most ideal route

 

[Flynt]

I agree with the above study materials, and what everyone is saying. All of us are different, and though I took Orgo 2 last summer, I still started from scratch to make sure I didn't miss a beat. Orgo has alot of small things to remember. I'd also like to add the 2009 adea practice exam and topscore to the list of materials to gauge where you are at the end of your studies. DAT Destroyer will be your bestfriend. If I were you I'd take the courses before trying to learn it on my own though. Took mine in August and got a 26 on the Orgo section. Good luck!

 

[Redfay]

Thanks everyone for your input! One of my friend gave me "Organic Chemistry- as Second Language" , I am thinking of giving myself a month to see if I understand and comprehend the material. If and only if I succeed I will proceed. I will look into all the recommend resources. Keep you guys posted! Other suggestions and help are welcomed!!

 

[Star-Lord]

I also don’t recommend taking the DAT without taking ochem 1 and 2. I had just finished taking ochem 2 when I started studying for the DAT and still took me a while to review and master certain concepts.

 

[caffeine jitters]

Thanks everyone for your input! One of my friend gave me "Organic Chemistry- as Second Language" , I am thinking of giving myself a month to see if I understand and comprehend the material. If and only if I succeed I will proceed. I will look into all the recommend resources. Keep you guys posted! Other suggestions and help are welcomed!!

That is a great book, but a word of caution: Do not just passively read it - take thorough notes as if you were using it to supplement a class. It is really easy to say "this makes perfect sense" when the words are right in front of you, but it is a whole different ball game when you have to write the concepts out in a way that will be impossible for you to forget.

 

[weaselodeath]

I took the DAT after just orgo 1 and did quite well on that section. I used Organic Chemistry as a Second Language to study up and the Princeton Review with online practice tests. I thought that was pretty doable because the second semester material that is on the exam is somewhat limited.

I would be astounded if you could do well just learning it all on your own in your free time, and defy anyone to produce someone that has done that...but it's not impossible in kind of the same way that cleaning the Aegean stables was not impossible. You just have to be the mental equivalent of Hercules.