Spectroscopy in the Chem section

[kurokuro1008]

I am doing the Cliff's practice exams right now, and there were a couple of spectroscopy questions (IR, NMR); I was wondering if anyone actually encountered them in the PCAT, because none of the other study guides I've used mentioned spectroscopy. (Personally, I have NO IDEA how to interprate spectro data) Also, for people who's also tried the Cliff's 5 practice exams (2006 ed), are the orgo stuff on the actual exam that difficult? According to what I've seen people say, only nomenclature, and E1, E2, S1, S2 needs to be focused upon, but Cliff's has a lot of complicated rxn q's regarding aromatics (eg., p-, m-, o-, directing) and Zaitsev's, Markovnikov's rules, Tollen's, Grignard, Fehling's reagent...etc. Do I really have to know all those (have only taken one lower grade Orgo course before...)?

 

[FLPharm2Be]

I am doing the Cliff's practice exams right now, and there were a couple of spectroscopy questions (IR, NMR); I was wondering if anyone actually encountered them in the PCAT, because none of the other study guides I've used mentioned spectroscopy. (Personally, I have NO IDEA how to interprate spectro data) Also, for people who's also tried the Cliff's 5 practice exams (2006 ed), are the orgo stuff on the actual exam that difficult? According to what I've seen people say, only nomenclature, and E1, E2, S1, S2 needs to be focused upon, but Cliff's has a lot of complicated rxn q's regarding aromatics (eg., p-, m-, o-, directing) and Zaitsev's, Markovnikov's rules, Tollen's, Grignard, Fehling's reagent...etc. Do I really have to know all those (have only taken one lower grade Orgo course before...)?

I did not have any questions on spectroscopy. A good handle on nomenclature, E1, E2, SN1, SN2, and a very good understanding of Gen Chem will serve you well. I took the exam in October 07 during Orgo 1 (so I only knew Orgo up to that point) and got a 97 on the chem section. Just as a side note, I also took the exam in June 07 with no organic and received an 83 on the Chem. Still not too bad.

 

[fenixtnlfan]

There wasn't any spectroscopy stuff on mine either, though I think I'm the only one who actually likes that stuff. lol. I agree that knowing Gen Chem and O.Chem 1 will probably get you a really good score. I think there was one or two O.Chem 2 questions on it. Of course that could change for your test. Now, I don't know how your O.Chem is set-up but some of the first things we learned was Zaitsev's and Markovnikov's rules, so maybe you have learned them and just don't know it. I think the O.Chem on the PCAT was pretty straightforward.

 

[mug3n]

I did the 2 practice tests from Harcourt and the one from Kaplan, no spectroscopy or SN1/2/E1/2 questions. Pretty sure knowing Markovnikov's Rule is a must (but it's pretty easy anyways). Know p/m/o and how they relate to aromatics. I'm quite sure you won't have to touch most of the reagants and stuff. Know the basic reactions (hydrogenations, etc.). From what I've seen so far I'd say it's 75% gen chem and 25-30% orgo so I'd focus on gchem unless you've got a solid grasp of everything from high school and first year chem.

The Cliff's stuff on chem is a notch or two harder than the actual PCAT. So if you did well on the Cliff's chem section you should be proud.