Order to Study?

[Jalam]

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I wanted some help on organizing my studying for optimal results. I wasn't sure if I should study the subjects that are the MOST challenging to me FIRST? Or the other way around? Studying my the hard ones first, I would give time for me to go over them AGAIN at the end. Or studying it last would keep that information freshest in my brain since I'm studying it last. What are your thoughts/advice/suggestions??

I've been using Chad's videos and have been alternating Sections (2-3 hours each) between Physics, O-Chem, and Gen chem since I feel like I know and remember the least about these. Should I focus ALL out on one section at a time? Or keep doing what I'm doing?

Thanks in advance! 🙂

 

[carolinev]

I think you should start with the hardest sections first & continue to review them as you study the other sections. I like the idea of you alternating between subjects - then you won't get bored. As long as that's not confusing to you, ya know? But at the end you should review everything again and be doing practice tests!

 

[JGil]

I hadn't even taken OChem II when I started studying. So on Chad's videos I went from the latest sections (the hardest stuff) back to the older stuff (the easiest stuff) - I ended up not even watching the videos for some of the earlier easier stuff I felt pretty confident on. Your focus is also going to be higher when you just start studying compared to a month from now being bogged down from studying, I know I'd rather hit the harder stuff when I had 100% focus.

I found the best way was to finish a "unit" of one section for one course, you know how Chad splits them up (i.e. Electrochemistry) and then covering a unit of another section until you are all done.

Cheers

 

[chelle111]

I've found the Biology and Organic Chemistry practice questions in the OAT Destroyer to be great at teaching you what you need to know for the exam. It may be overkill, but the material appears several times/ worded differently/ etc ... I think a more applied approach of studying is more useful.

Chad's videos are definitely great for teaching you the material if you're rusty 🙂

 

[Hello_]

I've been watching Chad's videos too! But I personally prefer finishing the sections in order, instead of switching between subjects. I think it helps me focus. Perhaps for the 2nd time or the 3rd time, it could be beneficial to switch between subjects because it'll help me review. Also, before I start another section, I look over the notes that I took for the previous videos real quick just to get a glimpse.

And another plan of mine is to do OAT destroyer problems after I've reviewed a whole subject. So right now, I'm almost done with gen chem. For a whole day or two, I'm going to do all the problems in the OAT destroyer for gen chem. And then, move on to orgo. Then, physics. Then, do reading practice with OAT destroyer. Then, repeat. Math- I reviewed this once when I first started studying because it's the easiest subject for me. I'll probably never go back to it until the week before the real OAT.

 

[Jalam]

I've been watching Chad's videos too! But I personally prefer finishing the sections in order, instead of switching between subjects. I think it helps me focus. Perhaps for the 2nd time or the 3rd time, it could be beneficial to switch between subjects because it'll help me review. Also, before I start another section, I look over the notes that I took for the previous videos real quick just to get a glimpse.

And another plan of mine is to do OAT destroyer problems after I've reviewed a whole subject. So right now, I'm almost done with gen chem. For a whole day or two, I'm going to do all the problems in the OAT destroyer for gen chem. And then, move on to orgo. Then, physics. Then, do reading practice with OAT destroyer. Then, repeat. Math- I reviewed this once when I first started studying because it's the easiest subject for me. I'll probably never go back to it until the week before the real OAT.

Thanks for your advice! I too will be doing some practice problems but instead in the DAT destroyer. Also, although math SEEMS like a no brainer to be the easiest subject for most people. I've heard from people that it ended up being one of the hardest sections.. I totally owned math in highschool and thought the same way as you are now. I'm not doubting our intelligence in an way, but from what I've heard, math might not be as easy as we think! 😛 Even knowing this tho, I plan on reviewing it last, but I am going to give myself enough time where if it is tough, I will have time to really try and understand it.

 

[contactspecs2020]

don't forget to sign up for the free kaplan tests if you haven't already! its a great way to get a baseline of how your doing. mind you just mentally prepare to get a little lower on the actual test due to pressure and the length of the test. personally i got 20 points lower than my kaplan test! hope that helps! also i think some of the schools released their entering class profiles if you want to get a baseline of what oat scores your ideal school is looking for (i know ICO released my class stats on their facebook page)