MDCAT CHEMISTRY

For me it was the favorite and easiest subject. I may not be able to guide you well about this because I was super good at it from the very first day. Chemistry is relatively an easy part of MDCAT. But also there is a fraction of people who find it challenging. In 2019, it was a bit tough too. But as I always say, prepare for the worst.

There are three portions;

i) Physical Chemistry
ii) Inorganic Chemistry
iii) Organic Chemistry

Chemistry goes along with the balance of concepts and memorization. You are supposed to prepare for the both things. Lacking at one thing will lead you to failure in the subject. Chemistry is left hand's play for those people who have been preparing it well from the start of FSC and have a conceptual approach towards the subject.

I)Physical Chemistry:

For me, physical chemistry was relatively difficult so I solved maximum mcqs in order to master it and eventually I overcame my weakness in physical chemistry too. Short listing of inorganic chemistry is very useful as it helps you revise big units in a very short time. Read from notes and book and then extract the important points to make the short listing of this portion.

Numericals of the units 1 2 5 8. Master yourself at the numericals. I even solved the numericals of unit 5 from redspot because numericals of chemistry could get too tough sometimes. Keep solving exercises untill you are expert at them. You should be good at calculations and must know the atomic numbers and weights for the numericals of first unit.

II)Inorganic Chemistry:

Inorganic Chemistry is mostly cramming and memorization. Memorize periodic table till Krypton 36. Atomic Numbers , Atomic Weights. Trends in periodic table, exceptions and fluctuations. Focus on the tables and graphs in inorganic chemistry. Read it thoroughly. Revise again and again. Highlight important points. Read from notes and memorize them well. Write important MCQs on your book.

III)Organic Chemistry:

Organic Chemistry is mostly a challenge for students and it's also the major portion. Do maximum practice of MCQs. Try to relate the reactions and different processes. Revise it very often. Organic chemistry is all about concepts. Take down the reactions yourself. I used to write them again and again and enjoyed doing this. Solve the exercises given in the book which are related to syllabus. Short-listing and flow charts are very important for organic chemistry. Remember catalysts and optimum conditions of reactions well. Solve many MCQs to grasp this portion.

Notes and Short-listing:

Notes are highly recommended for chemistry. Notes of KIPS are good enough I have read them too. I actually used the notes of my teacher and memorized them very well along with the other syllabus from the Key Book(Scholors Subjective as I found it more handy). Yes, you can even prepare it from a good key book where the things are arranged and written in a very well manner in contrast to the text book of chemistry. I used Scholors and I never had any problem instead I felt a little more comfortable studying from Scholors. Doing chemistry from a good key book is worth it.

Shortlisting is also an advised practice in chemistry. I myself made a short-listing of 10 to 12 pages which contained difficult and important points from the whole book.

Now there is a difference between short listing and hand written notes.
Notes contain all the important points while short listing comprises only of those important points which you personally think are difficult to remember. So, it is advised not to follow the short listing of any other person. Make your own short listing!

 Overcoming a Weak Unit:

So, if you find any unit of chemistry a bit difficult, here is how to get over it;

i) Make sure that you have memorized each and everything well.
ii) You must develop a good concept of the topic by watching some lecture, solving mcqs and reviewing the book again.
iii) Read the book carefully to understand each line. Highlight the important things.
iv) Read the unit from notes, maybe you will get a better view of the unit.
v) Solve max number or mcqs that will, eventually make you an expert of the unit.
vi) Still if you are lagging at the unit. Make sure that you are assessing yourself by solving some standard test or practice book and by some irreverent stuff.
vii) If the mcqs are relevent but still you are not doing good. Solve more mcqs if you dont have good concepts. Watch more videos from YouTube. Ask a friend to help you or a teacher.
viii) Memorize well if you are making mistakes at simple mcqs.
ix) You must analyze the exact reason. Don't underestimate yourself by solving irrelevant stuff.

 

“There will always be hope as long as you believe, as long as you trust that tomorrow is there.”