g chem... how should i study ??

[ddsshin]

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ok, I basically read the g chem in kaplan BB once and it does not seem to help me much on the problems involving numbers... It has a lot of definitions that helped me, but in terms of of getting formulas and equations, they don't provide good examples to solve... So my question is... should I go over the chemistry text book??? It is Zumdahl and 1000 pages long... I know if I go over all of them, it will strength even more, but it's gonna take long time..
any suggestions about improving on the numerical problems???

 

[floopy]

Re-reading your entire textbook isn't the most efficient way to study. Instead, go through the DAT outline and work practice problems on each topic to see where you're weak. Then address those weak areas by reading the appropriate section of your textbook and working more practice problems.
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As you're working, make an outline that includes a list of the most important formulas and concepts. Once you've created your outline and read through it a few times, make flash cards for those items you can't recall from memory. Remember to prioritize and use your common sense: a formula or concept that was used infrequently in the text/practice problems is probably less important than one that was used repeatedly.
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For practice problems I recommend:​

- 5 Steps to a 5 AP Chemistry
- DAT Destroyer
- ACS General Chemistry Study Guide
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DAT Destroyer comes closest to covering all the topics on the DAT outline, but all three books are good resources.

Good luck!
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[allstardentist]

ADA website has all the topics covered by the DAT. study those topics intensively using mcat hyperlearning review book. whats not covered in that book, use zumdahl.

 

[student253]

When studying for the DAT, I used Kaplan, TopScore, Achiever, textbooks, and Destroyer. Out of all the resources, I found Destroyer to be the most beneficial. I got a 29 in GC. Sincerely good luck with studying and applying!

 

[miedvied]

ok, I basically read the g chem in kaplan BB once and it does not seem to help me much on the problems involving numbers... It has a lot of definitions that helped me, but in terms of of getting formulas and equations, they don't provide good examples to solve... So my question is... should I go over the chemistry text book??? It is Zumdahl and 1000 pages long... I know if I go over all of them, it will strength even more, but it's gonna take long time..
any suggestions about improving on the numerical problems???

I've been using a combination of the destroyer and Chemistry: the Central Science, by Brown, LeMay, etc. I have a copy of the Zumdahl book, and it's really not bad, but I find that for a really good and (relatively concise) hammering of the chem equations/knowledge that Brown is hands-down the best chem book I've ever used. What I love about Brown is the way that their questions are designed. You'll have a sample numerical problem or 2 in the chapter, fully solved. At the end of the chapter you'll have a question of format X, with sets of numbers to plug in, A - H. These are solved in the solutions manual. A second set, I - Z follow, without solutions - but the format is identical, so you're really drilling, you don't have to worry that they made a left turn that will lose you. Then there's a second question, *slightly* more advanced than the first, and again - A - H, solved, and I - Z, unsolved. The book takes you steadily through increasingly difficult and complex material, but since you have a bunch of problems to do at each stage, solved, you can't really get lost at any point. It's a fantastic way to thoroughly learn your equations and their applications; I wish more textbooks were this carefully designed!

I've heard good things about the Schaum's outline as well. As another poster mentioned, Destroyer is handy, though I think that if you're having a lot of issues with equations, you'll want to cover and re-cover the basics in your full texts first.