How to study for Orgo

[ngozi85e]

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I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the Orgo section. How would you all recommend studying for it? I've flash cards for rxns, should i try my best to memorize those, then do problems, or do problems and look answers at that point? Thanks

 

[Lonely Sol]

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the Orgo section. How would you all recommend studying for it? I've flash cards for rxns, should i try my best to memorize those, then do problems, or do problems and look answers at that point? Thanks

Sounds good! I think you should be fine with all of that and some problems practice with some practice tests!

Good luck!

 

[dentaldentist]

The orgo section on the DAT is not nearly as hard as your standard organic chemistry class in college. That doesn't make the orgo section easy, but it is certainly easier than it could be. I think the kaplan blue book does a good job of covering only what you need to know - I managed a 25 for the organic chemistry section with really just using kaplan. And yes flashcards are a good way to help memorize all those reactions.

Kaplan blue book

 

[dantheman2007]

DAT Destroyer - $150
Achiever $50

Go for quality and not quantity in preparation for the DAT
Fortunately, unlike other study guides Destroyer has both. Its numerous amount of questions and detailed solutions (explanations) will allow you to master the material needed to score well on the DAT.

Best,

dantheman2007

 

[kevin512]

Were the scienceaide tables that helpful? I have seen some organic tables at books-a-million. Which is better?

Thanks!

 

[poc91nc]

If you have really weak fundamentals....this book is a good place to start

How to Succeed in Organic Chemistry this is a really rare book but a hidden gem...I found it in my undergraduate library a long time ago. The book is out of print, but was reissued for awhile by Sigma Aldrich and you can pick up a used copy for cheap. Just hit amazon and type in the title.

If you feel you're good to go....here are a few good links for a quick boot camp

http://depts.washington.edu/woodmand/webExHome.html

http://www.chemistry.ohio-state.edu/organic/flashcards/

After hitting those...Destroyer has plenty of problems to practice and drill additional concepts into your head. If you're feeling really up for it...Organic Chemistry Odyssey is great and pretty much blows the competition out of the water.

 

[Fonz]

yeah I'd say take time to memorize all the major rxns and most importantly know the concepts behind them. Then try the problems and know the concepts behind the tricky problems.

 

[Nasem]

A very good supplement that I'm using is an organic chemistry reaction table that covers over 200 reactions. It very organized and easy to follow. Its only about $5 from http://www.scienceaide.com I hope this helps.

Does anyone know how much money I should save up for the DAT destroyer and Achiever? I hope that is not that expensive.Thanks all!

On that website, there are 2 tables, which one did you get, table 1 or table2 ?

 

[daiz613]

orgo may seem a bit overwhelming, but I've heard that it is definitely not as in depth on the actual DAT in comparison to what your courses may have been like. there are TONS of rxns that you definitely should know...make sure you know your func. groups so that you'll understand these rxns. definitely re-write them out and go over it constantly... that's what i did. you'll see the trends and from that point, you'll be able to predict the products easily.

definitely get yourself a copy of the Destroyer when you've gotten a thorough understanding of the section. You'll be able to master this section using this. Dr. Romano really helped strengthen my weaknesses in orgo!

 

[SimSimma]

get your self a copy of the destroyer. In the back section, where the solutions are, there are these road maps. make sure you know those like the back of your hand. write them out, use index cards- whatever works for you... plus if you have questions, Dr. Romano is the man when it comes to orgo!

 

[SimSimma]

me.. YES! you can tell by all my posts im a really big fan of the destroyer. some people complain about the $. i think $150 is worth your future, but thats just me... the destroyer is tough though, it will def build you up.. The explanation in the back of the sections really explain things well.. plus, the orgo section has these organic road maps with the regeants (wish i had that when i actually took orgo)... but ye i would def go with the destroyer.. and if you need extra help, you can call nancy- and she's the sweetest person ever- she even calms me down when im freaking out.. well worth the $- A++++ good luck! let me know if you need any other input or anything

 

[magic man]

Your right, i also bought the destroyer and it's great on all sections.

 

[Anemone]

flashcards for rxns,notes for theory,rewrite all the questions you miss on topscore kap achiever destroyer and most of all..bang the destroyer orgo into your head until you can do those problems backwards and forwards

 

[indentition]

For the DAT, Kaplan is sufficient to get a perfect score on the Organic Chemistry section.

 

[poc91nc]

Did you check out those links I posted? That ohio state website has hundreds of fundamental reactions. Best of all it's FREE. Put those reactions onto 4x6 notecards (you can fit about 10 per card) and you're good to go. Plus it's good practice to make your own review cards.

 

[phungy]

Did you check out those links I posted? That ohio state website has hundreds of fundamental reactions. Best of all it's FREE. Put those reactions onto 4x6 notecards (you can fit about 10 per card) and you're good to go. Plus it's good practice to make your own review cards.

The OSU Chem site was definitely helpful but it also has a few questions that are incorrect.

 

[poc91nc]

Which rxns are incorrect? Just curious

 

[phungy]

Which rxns are incorrect? Just curious

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=398332

Since OCH3 is the one directing in the ortho/para direction, shouldn't NO2 and Br be ortho to OCH3 and not meta?

 

[poc91nc]

Very hard to argue with that. You're right.

 

[BLEND]

I used the following to study for organic chemistry:

1. DAT Destroyer (a must have for organic-)
2. Kaplan ( this was more of a refresher since I practically forgot everything that I was taught in class.. I read the organic a few times and did not absorb it until I did probs in the Destroyer)

I took the O'Chem course at a community college and was not able to make it to most classes because of work... Basically, if you get the idea of what the questions are going to consist of, you should be fine. Study the Destroyer questions as they are similar to those on the actual DAT-

Peace

Total Science: 20

 

[laundry]

For the DAT, Kaplan is sufficient to get a perfect score on the Organic Chemistry section.

I sure hope so...there's more than 300 pages worth of stuff....although some fluff here and there...😉

 

[djenaro]

I used the following to study for organic chemistry:

1. DAT Destroyer (a must have for organic-)
2. Kaplan ( this was more of a refresher since I practically forgot everything that I was taught in class.. I read the organic a few times and did not absorb it until I did probs in the Destroyer)

I took the O'Chem course at a community college and was not able to make it to most classes because of work... Basically, if you get the idea of what the questions are going to consist of, you should be fine. Study the Destroyer questions as they are similar to those on the actual DAT-

Peace

Total Science: 20

Besides the Ochem,for what else is Destroyer good?

 

[RICEman]

I was an A+ braniac in OCHEM 1....

I'm planing on taking DAT without OChem 2.
I have the Destroyer and Kaplan Blue book.

Is it possible to study/review Ochem2 in the Kaplan Blue book and destroyer?
And manage to get a 20 or better on DAT Ochem?

Thanks.

 

[poc91nc]

I was an A+ braniac in OCHEM 1....

I'm planing on taking DAT without OChem 2.
I have the Destroyer and Kaplan Blue book.

Is it possible to study/review Ochem2 in the Kaplan Blue book and destroyer?
And manage to get a 20 or better on DAT Ochem?

Thanks.

If you plan on taking the DAT without ochemII, I assume you are willing to put in the time investement? If you feel up to the challenge of taking the DAT w/o ochemII, a worthwhile purchase would be Dr. Romano's Organic Chemistry Odyssey. If you can master that book...you will be ready for just about any type of ochem problem that might land on a standardized test. The book is very very comprehensive in terms of showing many types of problems. If you use that book, and refer to your textbook when you get stuck (any questions you have from that book will most likely not be found in the kaplan book), you should be in pretty good shape. I used the book myself and have gone over it so many times I lost count. I'll be taking the DAT soon...but I have say that right now I know more about ochem than when I took the course (I was pretty strong ochem student myself).

Odyssey contains all the material that you would encounter in ochem II (carbonyl compounds, carboxy acid derivatives, amines, aromaticity, biomolecules, etc). Plus the book has extensive questions in spectroscopy and lab techniques (questions not found in any other guide).

So, if you have the time and are willing to commit, definitely think about getting the Odyssey book!

 

[poc91nc]

Look at it this way...you probably paid the same amount for your ochem textbook right? If you do get it...and commit to it...I promise you will be very satisfied with how much you learn. This material that can't be learned just by passively reading a textbook. Just make sure you have the time reserves! Good luck.

 

[poc91nc]

Any one bought the Odyssey that could tell me why it’s so challenging. Is it because it was intentionally made more complicated? Would you say that it might have too much extra info? I just want to know this from a student stand point not Dr. Romano. I'm planning to take my DAT late august so if anyone can help me please let me know. I really want to do well on this subject. Thanks in advance.
___________
My Resources
www.orgoman.com
www.scienceaide.com
Campbell Biology

I would say that the difficulty in Odyssey problems are two fold. First, there are many tempting wrong answer choices designed to trap you. This is nothing new if you've done the Destroyer problems. While doing Odyssey problems, I can assure you that you will have to double check your answers every time.

Second, is the amount of material it covers. All ochem classes vary to some extent. The Odyssey has been designed to cover every aspect of organic chemistry applicable to a standardized test. While I was going through the book, there was quite a bit of material that I had encountered for the first time. In the long run, the doing these questions will give you a much better understanding of organic chemistry.

The difficulty of the book makes it more suited for the Chemistry GRE, but I think it is an excellent insurance policy for the DAT as well. Just be aware that there are some difficult versions of the ochem DAT section and this is where Odyssey can save your butt. Just my two cents....

 

[HurricaneAlana]

ok.. so the chems are definitely my weakest, especially ochem... i'm taking the DAT July 14, so just under 6 weeks... At this point, I think I'll study a bit more, and finish the destroyer in about another 2 weeks... do you think that getting the odyssey will be worthwhile, or do I just not have enough time to make it worthwhile? thanks!

 

[poc91nc]

ok.. so the chems are definitely my weakest, especially ochem... i'm taking the DAT July 14, so just under 6 weeks... At this point, I think I'll study a bit more, and finish the destroyer in about another 2 weeks... do you think that getting the odyssey will be worthwhile, or do I just not have enough time to make it worthwhile? thanks!

I don't think that's enough time to get through the odyssey and study for other subjects at the same time...

If you're pressed for time (one month) Destroyer should be good enough along with other supplemental material.