Can you give an example of question? I have several possible resources in mind.
I would say to try Chad's videos then. I think hearing someone explain it and seeing someone draw it will be much, much more helpful for orgo. A lot of orgo for me comes from prior knowledge, but only because knowing maybe 5-10 basic ideas can help you solve hundreds of orgo questions. I got good at orgo by doing every single problem in the text book multiple times when I actually took the classes.
I'm telling you, use mcat-review.org for every topic associated with the questions you got incorrect. It is literally the AAMC outlines but expanded with just the right amount of information. And 77% is solid. I can almost guarantee it's a mixture of (1) careless mistakes and (2) lack of knowledge in 1-3 key areas listed on the AAMC Bio content outline.
Hmmm I think that since you haven't taken orgo classes it'll be really hard for you to get to know the reactions unless you put in a lot of effort to memorize important reactions, and practice. I don't think you'll have time to go through all of TBR, but if you try some practice problems and realize you got a question wrong because you didn't understand the reaction or the mechanism, definitely look it up! I've even looked up reactions on google images after getting a question wrong!
Sounds good, I'll try it out tomorrow, thanks!
One thing to keep in mind as well is that you don't need to be an expert to do well on orgo passages. I've found the AAMC orgo passages to be pretty simplistic and much of the answers are derived from simply following what's outlined in the passage. I tend to agree with the EK way of thinking in that the more orgo you know, the more you consider the non-obvious possibilities and second guess yourself when the OBVIOUS answer is right in front of you. Of course, I'm not saying you should just take the MCAT blind without a decent orgo background but there are a lot of other areas you can improve your scores in that are higher-yield than focusing on minute reaction mechanism specifics that likely won't show up on the exam. For what it's worth, I used EK for orgo but admittedly I only thought this sufficed because I have a pretty strong background in the subject.
For what it's worth to anyone, as an update to this list:
I'd be interested to know what exactly you did to review for orgo. I didn't do any orgo review besides the TPR Science Workbook, the self-assessment, and FLs. I just finished orgo II this spring with 99%+ average. Considering your self-reported strong background, did you find your orgo review to be very brief?
Yes, my orgo review was certainly brief. Much like you, I did real well in Orgo 1 and 2 and really enjoyed the class (partly due to an excellent prof and partly due to my love for a challenge). Since, I've worked in an organic synthesis lab that has helped solidify many of the more common reactions as well as the use of various analytical/separation techniques. I also tutor the subject and my degree is pharmacy currently so I spend more time with medicinal chemistry and drug-receptor activity than i care to admit; basically orgo in a more practical sense. So what I did was used the EK organic review for content; i think they have 4 chapters in it and it goes by real fast. I read through once and wrote notes outlining the chapters and pertinent mechanisms followed by the 30min exams toward the end. After taking practice exams, if there's a reaction that's mentioned and I don't know much about it, I'll wiki it to make sure i've seen it. But most of the time, as i'm sure you know, if you just keep in mind electronegative areas are attracted to electropositive areas then you don't need to know all the reactions.
Yay! Congrats on making your target!
Sorry, I haven't and don't plan on taking TPR tests. I've heard the same thing though!
I know the feeling. Just do whatever you can to not get complacent for the next few weeks! Congrats.
Do you plan on doing all of the AAMC FLs? I thought 5 was actually one of the hardest ones, but I took 5 about a month ago, so my reference might be skewed.
Good call. Wondering if AAMC 4 was just easier?
They all seem pretty similar, but I thought the Bio on 5 was hardest so far. What I noticed moreso with 5, 7 and 8 was that they each had one or two passages where I was really like wtf? You'll see one of the passages if/when you do the PS on #7. The consensus I have from friends is that all the AAMC scores are predictive, 10/11 slightly more predictive, and none is reflective of what the test actually feels like when you take it.
BS from AAMC5 was my worst so far as well.
I don't think it would be too much, but it all depends on you! I plan on doing that as well. Just make sure you have adequate time to thoroughly review your mistakes!
Those are great scores. Taking these practice tests makes one realize that statistics definitely does, in part, determine one's score. I feel like if fate goes my way on test day, I'm capable of a 40; if it doesn't, my score could bottom out around 35-36. I'm just banking on the fact that 35+ seems to be treated pretty equally at a lot of schools--not saying those with 43s aren't obviously exceptional.
That's my target range also, but I would still be very happy with a 12/12/12.
I think if you got a perfectly balanced 27 on GS 4, you should be in really good shape. I think you can boost it up a few points over the next two weeks just by reviewing things you don't know by making flash cards after reviewing the AAMC outlines in conjunction with FL review--because obviously no one knows everything.
I didn't look back to the self-assessment, but D vs. L is determined by the -OH right above the last CH2OR group on the bottom of the fischer. Right is D, and left is L.For anyone who's done the orgo self assessment - this is from question #33. How do you determine the chirality of this? (D or L sugar) Which bonds point into the page, out of the page, etc?
Right, but what if it isn't a sugar? (ex. if it was C bounded to Br, Ethyl, OH, and H) Is there a convention for which ones come out of the page?
I've read on SDN that your scores at GS exams are a little lower than what they should be on AAMC exams, since GS exams are harder.
From my understanding, vertical is into the page and horizontal is out of the page.
