Why You’re Overstudying OChem for the MCAT (and What to Do Instead)

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Jack Westin MCAT Podcast

Jack Westin

244 episodes

2 days ago

Mike and Molly from Jack Westin discusses anecdotes, advice, and ramblings on the premed years, the MCAT, and life beyond. Have new episodes delivered to you by subscribing.

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Mike and Molly from Jack Westin discusses anecdotes, advice, and ramblings on the premed years, the MCAT, and life beyond. Have new episodes delivered to you by subscribing.

Education

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Why You’re Overstudying OChem for the MCAT (and What to Do Instead)

Jack Westin MCAT Podcast

1 hour 2 minutes 14 seconds

1 month ago

Why You’re Overstudying OChem for the MCAT (and What to Do Instead)

Terrified of Organic Chemistry on the MCAT? Most students bring their undergrad trauma into MCAT prep, memorizing endless mechanisms and drowning in arrow pushing. That’s the wrong approach.

In this episode, Molly and Mike reframe OChem for the MCAT: small footprint, high-yield focus, and strategy over memorization. You’ll learn why OChem is only 10–12 questions, how to master stereochemistry, functional groups, and core reactions, and how to avoid overstudying. We’ll also cover spectroscopy, chromatography, and the most common mistakes students make.

⏱️ Timestamps

02:09 – How Much OChem Really Appears (10–12 Questions)

05:20 – OChem Isn’t All Mechanisms (Reality Check)

08:36 – High-Yield Topic #1: Stereochemistry

13:30 – High-Yield Topic #2: Nucleophiles & Electrophiles

18:23 – Why You Shouldn’t Memorize Mechanisms

19:35 – High-Yield Topic #3: Functional Groups

23:30 – High-Yield Topic #4: SN1 vs. SN2

25:40 – High-Yield Topic #5: Redox in Organic Chemistry

30:40 – Why Functional Groups vs. Reaction Memorization

33:19 – High-Yield Topic #6: Spectroscopy & Chromatography

41:05 – How OChem Shows Up in Passages

50:30 – Key OChem Study Tips & Pitfalls to Avoid

55:10 – Connections Across Subjects (Bio + Biochem)

57:43 – Final Takeaways: OChem is Only Scary if You Over-Memorize

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