How much time did you devote to ochem?

[Pusheen]

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Hello there

Taking the MCAT August 22, and all i have left to review is ochem. It's definitely my weakest subject. I'm almost considering just giving up on the darn thing and focusing on everything else instead, especially now that there is supposed to be less ochem on MCAT 2015. I feel confident in all the other subjects.

Anyone else in a similar position? I've been using EK, and been doing ok on the lecture tests, but I feel I'm just guessing half the time.

I'd be open to some strategies for maximizing ochem review. I'd like to be done in the next week or so, so I can focus on practice tests.

 

[bearintraining]

Thanks for the tips. Back to the study books I go.

Is there any point in memorizing synthesis reactions (Gabriel synthesis, ect)? Can someone give me an example of a synthesis based MCAT question, i.e. do they just want to know reagents, or mechanisms, or what?

YES you do need to know this. Gabriel and Strecker syntheses are clearly listed as topics.

 

[Pusheen]

YES you do need to know this. Gabriel and Strecker syntheses are clearly listed as topics.

Right, I meant more to what extent do they want us to know mechanism, intermediates, catalysts, ect. That's probably something that is specific to each test though..

 

[bearintraining]

Right, I meant more to what extent do they want us to know mechanism, intermediates, catalysts, ect. That's probably something that is specific to each test though..

To be honest I would just know it outright.. mechanism, intermediate, catalysts and reagents. I don't think in general you have to memorize a ton of OChem, but I would know this.

 

[Dr. Trenb]

Hello there

Taking the MCAT August 22, and all i have left to review is ochem. It's definitely my weakest subject. I'm almost considering just giving up on the darn thing and focusing on everything else instead, especially now that there is supposed to be less ochem on MCAT 2015. I feel confident in all the other subjects.

Anyone else in a similar position? I've been using EK, and been doing ok on the lecture tests, but I feel I'm just guessing half the time.

I'd be open to some strategies for maximizing ochem review. I'd like to be done in the next week or so, so I can focus on practice tests.

Just a tip. If you're going to spend time on orgo, I would recommend using Berkeley review, if you're able to get your hands on it.

 

[doctor in da makin]

Yeah, the Kaplan O-chem book is great for a refresher over the very basic concepts but is pretty lackluster. There's a lot of information that could have been mentioned but still in a concise way. I am supplementing my Kaplan book with my o-chem textbook and class notes/homework. At least by looking at reagents in transformation problems I can tell what is acting as a Lewis acid/base, effect of bulky groups and steric hindrance on major product formation, differences in reactions that take place in acidic versus basic environments, etc. Also some of the homework is great for identifying aromatics and naming compounds.

Do you think the practice problems at the end of every chapter were helpful at all?

 

[doctor in da makin]

I don't think this question is particularly useful...as the ease of the test will be based on ours strengths...which are probably different. Personally, I found the Gen Chem to be stupid easy..and straightforward. Then again, I've always done well with Gen Chem. I felt the P/S was a bit ambiguous...a lot of rote memorization..not as much application as I would of liked.

Do you have a preference for what CARS book to use?

 

[El-Rami]

Do you think the practice problems at the end of every chapter were helpful at all?

I have not taken the MCAT. I do the questions at the end, but usually I find them too easy for me. I have a pretty good grasp on concepts such as stereochemistry, so the questions feel useless because they are not challenging.