Teaching myself organic chemistry

[tuanthetiger]

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I am taking the Pcat in July. I have taken all topics tested in the pcat expect for organic chemistry. I have purchased Dr. Collins study guide and will begin studying that soon. I was wondering what is the best way to go about teaching myself ochem before the test? I would take ochem this summer before the test but my schedule wouldn't permit it.

 

[AlPacino]

I am taking the Pcat in July. I have taken all topics tested in the pcat expect for organic chemistry. I have purchased Dr. Collins study guide and will begin studying that soon. I was wondering what is the best way to go about teaching myself ochem before the test? I would take ochem this summer before the test but my schedule wouldn't permit it.

Well I have good news and bad news. Good news is that the PCAT is mostly gen chem. only like 30% at most is organic and it's semester 1 topics. Bad news is that organic chemistry is not a subject that you can teach yourself. If I were you I would mostly study up on gen chem topics and watch some of Chads videos on organic for PCAT prep along with Dr Collins.

 

[Jibby321]

Well I have good news and bad news. Good news is that the PCAT is mostly gen chem. only like 30% at most is organic and it's semester 1 topics. Bad news is that organic chemistry is not a subject that you can teach yourself. If I were you I would mostly study up on gen chem topics and watch some of Chads videos on organic for PCAT prep along with Dr Collins.

I had ALOT of orgo on mine from what I remember. It was about 70% orgo 30% gen chem. my GF took it the same day and she had more gen then orgo. So I think it just depends on your luck of the draw.

 

[LeJoker]

I am taking the Pcat in July. I have taken all topics tested in the pcat expect for organic chemistry. I have purchased Dr. Collins study guide and will begin studying that soon. I was wondering what is the best way to go about teaching myself ochem before the test? I would take ochem this summer before the test but my schedule wouldn't permit it.

If you are an orgo kind of person, you can teach yourself with a good book and maybe some online videos. Do you like thinking spatially? Do you prefer learning logical rules to memorizing terms? (I'm a biased orgo-lover) but I would say it's possible. If you tend to do well in science that helps too.

I'd highly recommend Jones Organic Chem text if you do go for this. I can't speak for the Pcat since I've not taken it.

 

[AlPacino]

I had ALOT of orgo on mine from what I remember. It was about 70% orgo 30% gen chem. my GF took it the same day and she had more gen then orgo. So I think it just depends on your luck of the draw.

Really?! Well if that's the case then I am praying for the 70% orgo. I'm one of those who dreaded genchem but enjoyed organic.

 

[africanpharmd14]

I am taking the Pcat in July. I have taken all topics tested in the pcat expect for organic chemistry. I have purchased Dr. Collins study guide and will begin studying that soon. I was wondering what is the best way to go about teaching myself ochem before the test? I would take ochem this summer before the test but my schedule wouldn't permit it.

I'm also taking the Pcat this July.
I'm taking calculus and statistics this summer while I revise the other subjects required for the Pcat.
Does anyone know if Biochemistry will be on the PCAT??

 

[tuanthetiger]

Thanks all for the advice. I'm just going to hope for lot of gen chem on the test! As for the ochem portion, I'll try and find some lecture videos on the Internet or borrows a friends book.

 

[Jibby321]

I'm also taking the Pcat this July.
I'm taking calculus and statistics this summer while I revise the other subjects required for the Pcat.
Does anyone know if Biochemistry will be on the PCAT??

Yea. Basic biochem was added starting last July.

 

[oogin]

https://www.khanacademy.org/

Khan Academy, my Fav. <3

He does not go into TOO much detail though. Everything is pretty basic.

 

[AlPacino]

Thanks all for the advice. I'm just going to hope for lot of gen chem on the test! As for the ochem portion, I'll try and find some lecture videos on the Internet or borrows a friends book.

course saver then chads organic chem videos was what helped me understand organic.

Worth every penny in my opinion.

 

[tuanthetiger]

https://www.khanacademy.org/

Khan Academy, my Fav. <3

He does not go into TOO much detail though. Everything is pretty basic.

I have watched Khan's videos for other subjects, but do you think it will be enough for the PCAT?

 

[tuanthetiger]

course saver then chads organic chem videos was what helped me understand organic.

Worth every penny in my opinion.

Isn't Chad the one in course saver's videos as well?

 

[AlPacino]

Isn't Chad the one in course saver's videos as well?

One in the same.

 

[tuanthetiger]

Just thought I'd give an update for some potential readers. I took the advice from FelixRx and purchased Chad's videos on organic chemistry. So far it's been going pretty good, and I'm glad I took this route. The videos are obviously meant for people with a background of ochem. As for my situation without ohem some of the material was unclear to me but overall very helpful. In those cases, I turned to the khans academy videos. The two different perspective of Sal and Chad together on ochem make it easy to understand the material. While most of you have already taken ochem, I highly recommend for people going into the PCAT without ochem to watch Chad's videos. I also have Dr. Collins study guide as a resource as well.

 

[AlPacino]

Just thought I'd give an update for some potential readers. I took the advice from FelixRx and purchased Chad's videos on organic chemistry. So far it's been going pretty good, and I'm glad I took this route. The videos are obviously meant for people with a background of ochem. As for my situation without ohem some of the material was unclear to me but overall very helpful. In those cases, I turned to the khans academy videos. The two different perspective of Sal and Chad together on ochem make it easy to understand the material. While most of you have already taken ochem, I highly recommend for people going into the PCAT without ochem to watch Chad's videos. I also have Dr. Collins study guide as a resource as well.

Ochem overall is a difficult subject for many people. Fact you can follow and understand chads video without any previous exposure is good. Only other source I can recommend is David Kleins book. www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-David-R-Klein/dp/0471756148

That was my my little bible throughout the semester. David Kleins book with chads video is how I learned orgo. Khan Academy is still a great (free) resource for lower level undergrad courses, but once you start with organic and above, they just don't offer enough understanding of the subject imo.