Mass Spec Problems on DAT

[sacapuntas]

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Wondering if mass spec problems are on the DAT...haven't done them before in class or lab (only have done o-chem 1). They seem simple enough, but don't want to waste time a couple of days before my test if its un-needed. On all my study materials, I have only seen the mass spec problems in Destroyer.

 

[Saiph]

Well, I haven't taken the DATs yet. But from what I remember, the main thing is base peak is usually the tallest peak and M+ is the molecular formula of the compound.

Cl 35 and Cl 37 are in a 3:1 ratio, Br 79 and Br 81 are in a 51:49 ratio, Nitrogen will make the M+ odd, but if there are an even number of nitrogens, it will be even. The M+1 peak can be due to the isotope C13 which is only 1.1%. Oxygen cannot be found in mass spec!

I think those are the main points! And if you just remember these few things, you should be good. Good luck!

 

[Demps]

Likelihood of landing such a question may be rare, but you'd rather be safe than sorry right? Doing well is science sections (TS) is the key to have higher AA. So I would at least review the basics, nothing specific however.

For your interest, I had ~4 lab questions on GC and ~5 lab questions on OC. Nothing on Mass Spec though. This is just a luck of the draw, but that was seriously an eye opener for me.

 

[Demps]

Wondering if mass spec problems are on the DAT...haven't done them before in class or lab (only have done o-chem 1). They seem simple enough, but don't want to waste time a couple of days before my test if its un-needed. On all my study materials, I have only seen the mass spec problems in Destroyer.

About 2 lab questions I had...

I only seen that thing on Destroyer once as well lol...

 

[sacapuntas]

Demps - That is a lot of lab questions! Kind of glad to hear that though, as I had a killer lab this past semester that really prepared us well for IR and the NMR type questions along with general lab techniques.

Now Gen chem lab...haha I have forgotten most of that by now. Is it safe to say the topics were covered in DAT Destroyer and Chads videos that we need for GC test?

If the real test is like Topscore, GC shouldn't be too bad...

Thanks for all your help so far!

 

[TheDentist16]

Demps - That is a lot of lab questions! Kind of glad to hear that though, as I had a killer lab this past semester that really prepared us well for IR and the NMR type questions along with general lab techniques.

Now Gen chem lab...haha I have forgotten most of that by now. Is it safe to say the topics were covered in DAT Destroyer and Chads videos that we need for GC test?

If the real test is like Topscore, GC shouldn't be too bad...

Thanks for all your help so far!

Chad's Videos and DAT Destroyer will prep you 100% for GC in my opinion. Chad's Videos shows you how to tackle a lot of basic GC problems you'll encounter on the DAT, but he doesn't give much practice material. That's where DAT Destroyer comes in. There are so many GC problems in Destroyer that you'll be super prepared for test day. For GC lab questions, Chad's Videos gave nice tricks for how to figure out solubility rules and things of that nature.

Bottom line: Apply what you learn from Chad's to DAT Destroyer. Guaranteed success!

For OC, specifically for Mass Spec problems, I had maybe 2 on my OC section if I remember. There were 4 lab questions though, and KBB helped me more with the lab part than Chad's. However, I also just finished Orgo 2 at the time of my DAT studying, so lab procedures were ingrained in my brain. None of the OC lab or mass spec problems were terribly hard. Destroyer OC has some lab questions and even NMR questions. I think Destroyer's OC lab questions are harder than the real DAT lab questions though.

 

[Demps]

Demps - That is a lot of lab questions! Kind of glad to hear that though, as I had a killer lab this past semester that really prepared us well for IR and the NMR type questions along with general lab techniques.

Now Gen chem lab...haha I have forgotten most of that by now. Is it safe to say the topics were covered in DAT Destroyer and Chads videos that we need for GC test?

If the real test is like Topscore, GC shouldn't be too bad...

Thanks for all your help so far!

Yes. and some of them were kinda common sense. You will be okay with lab questions.