regarding orgo in mcat

[chpzz]

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are mechanisms of any kind of reactions tested in orgo of mcat? im studying tpr orgo review book and they have mechanisms for many reactions like esterification and alder condensation...etc.... are there reactions whose mechanisms should be memorized? thanks! 🙂

 

[spicedmanna]

are mechanisms of any kind of reactions tested in orgo of mcat? im studying tpr orgo review book and they have mechanisms for many reactions like esterification and alder condensation...etc.... are there reactions whose mechanisms should be memorized? thanks! 🙂

Yes, the MCAT does test your understanding of reaction mechanisms. It would be of benefit to understand the major ones. Since nobody has any idea what your form will test, I recommend not skipping any of the ones that are listed in the AAMC guidelines. I think your TPR book will likely highlight the high-yield mechanisms. Usually, in the MCAT you'll have a few free-standing questions, but there can also be a passage that has a crazy reaction sequence that you've never seen before, and you'll need to draw on your understanding of various familiar mechanisms that you should have studied to be able to answer some of the questions.

 

[akinf]

It's probably best to understand most of the alkene chemistry, the reactions that produce Markovnikov vs anti-Markovnikov, the reactions that are stereoselective and regioselective, Grignard, and the acetoacetic acid ester synthesis. I think those are the main mechanisms. Also, be able to easily identify rearrangements...that will be helpful. I'm sure there are others, but those are the only main ones I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[MadHopsMD]

are mechanisms of any kind of reactions tested in orgo of mcat? im studying tpr orgo review book and they have mechanisms for many reactions like esterification and alder condensation...etc.... are there reactions whose mechanisms should be memorized? thanks! 🙂

dont worry about each and every mechanism. the way to get 12+ on the MCAt is to know how the mechanisms work. The electrophic attacking the nucleophilic (haha not sure about this anymore 😛 ) , etc....because on the MCAT there are no regurgitate problems like in university...

 

[akinf]

Actually...I found all of the MCAT organic to be purely regurgitation...so easy. Human physiology...not so easy 🙁

 

[meds2008]

I think that if you decide to use a org textbook to get ready for the MCAT (which I don't think is a great idea; a good prep book is more specific to your needs) then you should go to the AAMC website first and go over the list of mechanisms that you are responsible for. Because, for example, someone mentioned that you should know alkenes, Markovnikov's rule, etc. All of which are important in undergrad and in the old MCAT. BUT, the new MCAT specifically does NOT require any alkene chemistry which includes mechanisms. You don't have to believe me or any one else, just rely on the aamc: http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/studentmanual/biologicalsciences/organicchemistry.pdf

good luck!

 

[hermit]

... the new MCAT...

I know that is the current doc, but its dated 2003. Not sure what you mean by "new" mcat coverage.

 

[meds2008]

Good point because the MCAT has had alot of changes. The biggest ones in the last few years have been 2003 when they eliminated alkene chemistry (and other stuff like phenols, less orgo, more DNA/genetics) and of course now (2007) with the CBT format. But the content has not changed since 2003 (new MCAT). Oddly, Examkrackers/Kaplan/TPR/Gold Standard all cover those org subjects which have not been covered by the MCAT in 4 years!

So the link I should have given is this one: http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/studentmanual/start.htm

Which shows (c) 2007 The MCAT Student Manual and then you click on subjects like org which is (c) 2003, like you said, but clearly the AAMC is saying in many different ways that there is no content change.

Bottom line: studying org from a textbook without guidance from the AAMC will lead to overstudying.