PCAT chemistry

[snake3]

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Hey guys,

I wanted to ask you guys, is the gen chem section of the PCAT more conceptual or does it have lots of calculations?

Any help is appreciated!
Thanks.

 

[CK8652]

Well you get 38sec per question. I'd probably say more concept than calculations. Most calculations are quick, some are very long. Educated guess the long ones, not worth the time.

 

[twinspharm]

Conceptual. Some calculations, but you really don't need to do the calculations for these becuase there isn't much time. You can usualy just look at the numbers, then look and the answers and figure which one works. If the problem had a ton of calculations, I would just skip it and come back, bc theres not time to waste.

 

[Hobbes714]

i agree with what others have to say. there are thinking questions. If there is a calculation involved, assess whether it can be done in about 40 seconds. If yes, then do it. If it takes longer, guess and move on.

 

[Pharmazing]

Agreed with everyone for the most part. Most calculations are simple and they require more reasoning then actual real calculation. THat is key when going quickly through the test. FOr example, if you find yourself needing to divide 2 large numbers, round these numbers to a whole number and find the multiple choice answer that closely fits as oppose to wasting your time going through long division.. The 4 choices will never be so closely spaced out that it is impossible to do that. THat was key for me when trying to get all the questions done on time.

If all else fails, skip and just guess.

 

[horrorboy]

Hey guys,

I wanted to ask you guys, is the gen chem section of the PCAT more conceptual or does it have lots of calculations?

Any help is appreciated!
Thanks.

hey
i want to help ppl in chem.
chem was my highest score (98% for both my 1st and 2nd attempt)

the key is to understand what q is asking.
sometimes, i find that questions are worded difficult, but it's actually very easy questions....they are just made to trick you into panic mode.

do a lot of problems
be comfortable with calculations for general chem.
memorize basic molecule names and structures for organic chem.

whatever book you pick to study, find the book that you think you can do multiple times...at least 5 times..when you are done that, trust me. you will do good. the result will tell.

(just to let you know, i did the kaplan book 10 times, and i was suprised to see my score improved tremendously compared to when i only did 5 times)

good luck

 

[iconwin]

hey
i want to help ppl in chem.
chem was my highest score (98% for both my 1st and 2nd attempt)

the key is to understand what q is asking.
sometimes, i find that questions are worded difficult, but it's actually very easy questions....they are just made to trick you into panic mode.

do a lot of problems
be comfortable with calculations for general chem.
memorize basic molecule names and structures for organic chem.

whatever book you pick to study, find the book that you think you can do multiple times...at least 5 times..when you are done that, trust me. you will do good. the result will tell.

(just to let you know, i did the kaplan book 10 times, and i was suprised to see my score improved tremendously compared to when i only did 5 times)

good luck

Thanks, your tips are so helpful.

 

[Trunks9807]

hey
i want to help ppl in chem.
chem was my highest score (98% for both my 1st and 2nd attempt)

the key is to understand what q is asking.
sometimes, i find that questions are worded difficult, but it's actually very easy questions....they are just made to trick you into panic mode.

do a lot of problems
be comfortable with calculations for general chem.
memorize basic molecule names and structures for organic chem.

whatever book you pick to study, find the book that you think you can do multiple times...at least 5 times..when you are done that, trust me. you will do good. the result will tell.

(just to let you know, i did the kaplan book 10 times, and i was suprised to see my score improved tremendously compared to when i only did 5 times)

good luck

was kaplan the only book you used? how long did it take you each time through the kaplan section?

 

[ricebunny]

From what i remember, there were definitely more conceptual problems than calculations. Also, the calculation problems were all pretty simple, but don't waste too much time on it.
Also, it will be useful to memorize some basics, like metals/nonmetals, general periodic trends and naming (knowing some common names may be useful too).

 

[Ji the Captain]

(just to let you know, i did the kaplan book 10 times
good luck

lulz👍

 

[UyenRita]

hey
(just to let you know, i did the kaplan book 10 times, and i was suprised to see my score improved tremendously compared to when i only did 5 times)

I'm sorry but I don't really get what you mean here. So you did the practice problems over and over again for 10 times? I personally don't think that helps because you may remember the answer...rather than work on it...
any ideas, friends?