Orgo Weakness

[DLove86]

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Hello everybody!

My main weakness for MCAT is orgo. I didt do so well in the actual classes and have forgotten all of it (it's been 2 years). What's the best strategy to " get what I need"?

I've read multiple posts stating that the orgo questions do require direct knowledge but that the knowledge is 101.

Would you reccommend reviewing the summaries of my orgo book as the first step? I take the MCAT in June. Thanks!

 

[zachjm2]

Hello everybody!

My main weakness for MCAT is orgo. I didt do so well in the actual classes and have forgotten all of it (it's been 2 years). What's the best strategy to " get what I need"?

I've read multiple posts stating that the orgo questions do require direct knowledge but that the knowledge is 101.

Would you reccommend reviewing the summaries of my orgo book as the first step? I take the MCAT in June. Thanks!

I would recommend going through your book and seeing what you understand best and seeing what you should spend more time on. Understanding the basics of the reactions (for example, knowing about functional groups, nucleophiles and electrophiles) can really help you learn the reactions quickly because you see why they happen. The MCAT seems more likely to ask conceptual questions about reactions rather than ask you to memorize them.

I've found Examkrackers review books to be pretty great and I prefer them to Kaplan and others. You could re-read through your book and then later look at review materials. There is usually a good bit less organic on the biological sciences section than general biology. I've read the breakdown to be about 75% biology and 25% organic so there will be less questions to worry about.

 

[sully677]

Hello everybody!

My main weakness for MCAT is orgo. I didt do so well in the actual classes and have forgotten all of it (it's been 2 years). What's the best strategy to " get what I need"?

I've read multiple posts stating that the orgo questions do require direct knowledge but that the knowledge is 101.

Would you reccommend reviewing the summaries of my orgo book as the first step? I take the MCAT in June. Thanks!

Don't waste your time with EK Organic. Go straight for BR materials. I am two years removed from Organic, but the BR books bring it right back to me!

http://www.berkeley-review.com/TBR/home-study.html

 

[g8orlife]

Hello everybody!

My main weakness for MCAT is orgo. I didt do so well in the actual classes and have forgotten all of it (it's been 2 years). What's the best strategy to " get what I need"?

I've read multiple posts stating that the orgo questions do require direct knowledge but that the knowledge is 101.

Would you reccommend reviewing the summaries of my orgo book as the first step? I take the MCAT in June. Thanks!

Per SN2ed:

Organic Chemistry: 1. BR, by far 2. TPR Hyperlearning 3. EK/Kaplan

Extra Practice Material: 1. TPR Hyperlearing Science Workbook, good source of practice passages 2. EK 1001 series, helps nail down basics
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Breaking Down the MCAT: A 3 Month MCAT Study Schedule: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/show...68#post8092168

 

[Dial71]

I recommend reading up on carboxylate and enol chemistry. From what I have observed, the MCAT places heavy emphasis on these reactions in particular.

Don't worry too much, though. Organic chemistry only makes up approximately 30% of the BS section and the particular chemistry tested is limited in scope (i.e. no elimination reactions).

Organic chemistry is all about practice. Just practice until you are confident with your skills and carry that confidence to test day.

 

[Yips]

Don't waste your time with EK Organic. Go straight for BR materials. I am two years removed from Organic, but the BR books bring it right back to me!

http://www.berkeley-review.com/TBR/home-study.html

Per SN2ed:

Organic Chemistry: 1. BR, by far 2. TPR Hyperlearning 3. EK/Kaplan

Extra Practice Material: 1. TPR Hyperlearing Science Workbook, good source of practice passages 2. EK 1001 series, helps nail down basics

QFT 👍
Definitely get TBR OChem books and go through them (especially Sections I, II, III, IV & VIII)

 

[DLove86]

QFT 👍
Definitely get TBR OChem books and go through them (especially Sections I, II, III, IV & VIII)

Thanks guys 🙂

on another note, do you personally believe a July app date is too late for this upcoming cycle, esp. as a nontrad student with a weak GPA (schools I'm applying to have alternate route where they weigh your grad work as well where I hve a 4.0).

 

[JDissere]

To be honest, studying organic chemistry as much I did was kind of a waste of time, and I only spent 1 week on it. Most of what was on my exam could be figured out from the passage or with a primitive knowledge of organic chemistry (like identifying a chiral center). I feel like its better to learn organic chemistry just by diving into practice exams and only learning what you come across. I really think that would cover it.

But maybe I was just lucky twice.