Is organic chemistry needed for MCAT?

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Just as the title asks. Is organic chemistry needed to pass the MCAT?

I know it is needed to get into medical school, but can I put off taking the course until my junior or preferably senior year?

The reason I ask is that I am switching to a major that takes up a lot of time, and in order to graduate on time I feel like I should hedge my bets, and take ochem later. Organic is a 6 credit class with the lab at my school so it takes up a lot of room, and I can fit roughly 2 classes in its place each semester.

So, how much is ochem needed for the MCAT?

 

[Cinclus]

The bio section may contain several orgo passages with some stand-alone questions. My test was orgo-heavy. You need to know your stuff, or you risk not doing so well on the BS section. A quick search of the MCAT subforum will give you plenty of info about this topic.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Not very much is on the MCAT, but there is some on the bio section. If you don't take it now you'll have to review it for the test. It'll be easier if you've already taken the course, but if you're deadset on putting it off till later you can just teach it to yourself.

 

[Barcu]

The Ochem on the MCAT isn't bad and doesn't make up a huge portion. However, that advice will pretty much come from people who have taken Ochem before the MCAT. In that case, all you need is a little review so it's not bad. In terms of not taking Ochem at all, that could be different. I would probably advise against taking the MCAT without taking all of the prereqs. You really don't want a bad score or having to take it again.

 

[causalinference]

Yes.

 

[JHU 2010]

don't worry about it. when you take Orgo for class you just study for the next test, you won't have the retention for it to really help you on the MCAT

i got C's in both semesters of Orgo, but i got a 13 on the bio section of the MCAT. just get an MCAT prep book, it'll teach you what you need to know

 

[a du bsp]

I only took orgo 1 before my first run at the MCAT (and took the MCAT after 2 weeks after finals for it, mind you) and got a 10 on the BS section. However, I didn't get any interviews my first cycle applying. According to my advisor, because I didn't finish orgo 2 before applying. Second time around, got a 12 on BS after orgo 2.

So, you'll be able to make it through the MCAT without orgo (I don't remember much orgo on my first MCAT), but if you plan to apply before taking orgo, then you'll still be at a disadvantage. So, junior year before applying, good. Senior year, probably bad.

As for how much orgo needed, just basic alkane, alkene, carbonyl rxns w/ minor attention paid to some nmr and such. I'd agree with JHU, prep book will get you through.

 

[deleted413795]

I would say yes. If you have taken Organic, the MCAT organic questions will be very easy and straight forward. They are some of the easiest and least tricky questions on the test. This will either give you a higher score, or at least allow you to miss a couple of the really tricky bio questions they throw in. There is no reason to miss easy points.

That being said, I loved Organic chemistry and to this day seek out articles and people to tutor. I just think it is fun stuff.

 

[coyotelime]

Yes. Look on the topics list... there's a whole section dedicated to organic, and my BS was very orgo heavy.

 

[235788]

lol

 

[AvidAvatar]

I took the MCAT twice because some life things delayed my matriculation and my scores expired.

The first time I sat for the test I did not study organic chemistry in 4 years. The second time I sat for the test I studied organic chemistry for about 50 hours. I scored one point higher. I think it is your call how much to study, in my opinion, it doesn't change much. Run through a EK organic and you should be fine.

 

[deleted413795]

I took the MCAT twice because some life things delayed my matriculation and my scores expired.

The first time I sat for the test I did not study organic chemistry in 4 years. The second time I sat for the test I studied organic chemistry for about 50 hours. I scored one point higher. I think it is your call how much to study, in my opinion, it doesn't change much. Run through a EK organic and you should be fine.

This is a valid point. I have seen BS sections with only one organic passage. However, even that one passage will most likely be the easiest passage in the section. It is worth knowing it well to guarantee those questions. Plus, if there are more Organic questions, you are likely to get all of those too.

I think the difference is that just knowing Organic well will get you right answers on MCAT Organic, whereas some of the other bio passages are so cryptic that knowing everything about the relevant topic may not be all that helpful. At least that is how I felt after taking 20+ practice tests and the real one.

 

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Thank you all for responding. I think I am just going to take your suggestions, and just get an EK book, and go through that.

Also, how good is Khan Academy for organic chemistry? I was thinking I could supplement my studying with that.