O-chem on DAT

[SCDP]

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Does the DAT cover more stuff from O-chem 1, 2, or is it pretty even?

 

[100%permwinner]

I would say it's pretty even. See DAT guide from ADA about what's tested in organic chemistry. I would say you should memorize the end results of most commonly seen reactions and the key mechanistic steps and intermediates (but not every little detail). Fundamental topics such as resonance and acids and bases are prevalent. Be familiar with spectroscopy especially IR and NMR because there tend to be at least 1-2 questions regarding that and you are not given a list of spectroscopy values during the exam. Bootcamp and DAT Destroyer should be very useful practice.

 

[bluesky12]

Studying mechanisms is so bad... I definitely find OChem to be the worst part of studying.

 

[100%permwinner]

Studying mechanisms is so bad... I definitely find OChem to be the worst part of studying.

For some reactions, it is helpful to recognize similar/common patterns (i.e. carbonyl addition/substitution, aromatic substitution, alkyl substitution/elimination). What is more important is to ask yourself why this step happens and why one intermediate/product is preferred over the other (making choices based on relative energetics/stability). This requires understanding of basics such as resonance, hyperconjugation, trends in pKa, etc.