5 Tips to Pass the ACS Organic Chemistry Exam

Organic chemistry can be a daunting subject for many students. The American Chemical Society (ACS) organic chemistry exam, used by some university professors as a final exam, can be especially intimidating. However, with the right preparation and study techniques, you can pass the exam with flying colors. Read on for some tips on how to pass this exam.

What is the ACS exam?

The ACS organic chemistry exam is a standardized test developed by the American Chemical Society that is used as a final exam by some university professors. It covers a wide range of organic chemistry topics and consists of multiple-choice questions that are representative of the types of problems encountered in organic chemistry courses covering reactions, mechanisms, synthesis/retrosynthesis, spectroscopy and more. It is a standardized test so your professor should have covered the material but if not, you will need to learn that on your own. Also, it has 70 multiple choice questions with 110 minutes to complete. That's less than 2 minutes per question.

What does it cover?

The Orgo ACS Exam covers a wide range of topics, including the following. However, you need to make sure whatever you study covers the entirety of what is tested on the ACS.

1. Structure and Bonding: This section covers the basics of organic chemistry, including Lewis structures, molecular geometry, and resonance.

2. Acids and Bases: This section covers acid-base reactions and the factors that affect acidity and basicity, such as electronegativity, resonance, and inductive effects.

3. Stereochemistry: This section covers the three-dimensional aspects of organic molecules, including chirality, enantiomers, diastereomers, and stereoisomers.

4. Reaction Mechanisms: This section covers the mechanisms of organic reactions, including nucleophilic substitution, elimination, addition, and oxidation-reduction reactions.

5. Functional Groups: This section covers the properties and reactions of various functional groups, including alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, ethers, carbonyl compounds, amines, and carboxylic acids.

6. Spectroscopy: This section covers the interpretation of spectroscopic data, including infrared (IR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry (MS).

How to prepare: some tips and resources

1. Practice, practice, practice

This one is obvious. Learn the material and then apply that knowledge to practice problems. You should practice multiple choice questions as that is what will be on the exam. There are many resources available to help you practice, including textbooks, online resources, and study guides. Here are some to get you started:

- Khan Academy: Khan Academy offers free video lessons on a wide variety of topics, including organic chemistry. They also offer practice problems and quizzes to test your understanding.

- Organic Chemistry Tutor: The Organic Chemistry Tutor offers video tutorials, practice problems, and study guides for organic chemistry. He also offers live online tutoring sessions for a fee.

- ACS Official Guide: Ensure you catch every topic on the test regardless of what was actually taught in your Orgo class.

- Organic Chemistry Portal: The Organic Chemistry Portal offers a variety of resources for organic chemistry students, including practice problems, tutorials, and a blog with helpful tips and advice.

- Chemistry LibreTexts: Chemistry LibreTexts offers free online textbooks and resources for a variety of chemistry topics, including organic chemistry. They offer a comprehensive organic chemistry textbook that covers many of the topics tested on the ACS exam.

The ultimate study tool is to do timed practice tests. If you can get your hands on some practice tests, the best way to take them is to first establish a baseline score. That's just taking the first test without too much studying. Then, as you progress and become more confident and familiar with the material, take practice tests periodically to gauge your progress.

2. Use flashcards

Flashcards can be a great tool for memorizing organic chemistry reactions, mechanisms, and other concepts that will help you pass the ACS exam. You can create your own flashcards or use pre-made ones find on various online resources. Here are some examples on how you can use flashcards to study:

Memorization of functional groups: Flashcards can be used to quiz oneself on the different functional groups and their properties, such as their reactivity and acidity. For instance, one might create a flashcard for the carboxylic acid functional group, with the name "carboxylic acid" on one side, and the structure (-COOH) and properties (acidic, can form salts with bases) on the other side.

Mechanisms: Organic chemistry mechanisms can be complex and require careful understanding of electron movement and intermediates. Create a flashcard for the first step of the SN2 reaction, with the name "SN2: Step 1" on one side, and the reactants (nucleophile and substrate), reagents (solvent and other conditions), and products (transition state and leaving group) of the step on the other side.

Spectroscopy: Use flashcards to become proficient in interpreting spectroscopic data, such as IR and NMR spectra. For example, create a flashcard with the name "IR: O-H Peak" on one side, and the wavenumber range (3200-3600 cm-1) and the type of bond that the peak represents (stretching vibration of the O-H bond) on the other side.

Reactions: Organic chemistry involves many different types of reactions, and it can be helpful to review the key features of each reaction using flashcards. For example, create a flashcard for the Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction, with the name "Friedel-Crafts acylation" on one side, and the reagents required for the reaction (an acyl chloride and a Lewis acid catalyst), the substrate (an arene), and the product (an aryl ketone) on the other side.

Shameless plug: Flashcard Lab is a Google Sheets add-on that allows you to customize the study material to your liking, is simple and easy to use. You can add material that is relevant to you and your study style to help you pass the ACS exam. Use it with Google Sheets or with the free mobile app.

3. Study in groups

Studying in a group can be a great way to learn organic chemistry. You can discuss difficult concepts with your peers and work through practice problems together. You can also quiz each other to reinforce your knowledge. Have your fellow students explain why you got something wrong or explain a concept to someone to reinforce your own understanding of the topic. One of the best ways to gauge how well you know a subject is to teach it to someone. And if you really understand it, you will be able to explain it to them in a way that they can understand it too. If you are having trouble finding a study group, your university may have resources available to help you connect with other students.

4. Watch videos

Watching videos can be a great way to supplement your organic chemistry studies. There are many YouTube channels and websites that offer video tutorials on organic chemistry. One great website is Khan Academy, which offers free video lessons on a wide variety of topics, including organic chemistry. Another is the Organic Chemistry Tutor YouTube channel.

5. Test taking strategies

Approaching multiple-choice questions on the ACS organic chemistry exam requires a strategic approach to maximize your score. Here are some tips:

- Read the question carefully: Read each question carefully and make sure you understand what it is asking. Pay attention to keywords, such as "not," "except," and "always."

- Use process of elimination: Use the process of elimination to narrow down the answer choices. Cross out the choices that you know are incorrect, and then focus on the remaining choices.

- Skip hard questions: If you come across a question that is particularly difficult, don't spend too much time on it. Instead, skip the question and come back to it later if you have time. This way, you can focus on the questions you know you can answer.

- Do the easier questions first: Start with the easier questions first to gain momentum and build confidence. This will also help you manage your time more effectively.

- Manage your time: Keep track of time and make sure you are pacing yourself. Don't spend too much time on any one question. If you get stuck on a question, move on and come back to it later.

Strategies need to be practiced as well. When you are taking those practice tests as mentioned in tip 1, implement these strategies so that on test day, they are second nature. Feel free to NOT implement strategies that don't work for your test taking style.

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It's important to note that the ACS exam is not a requirement for all organic chemistry courses or programs. Some universities use their own final exam or may not require a standardized exam at all. However, if your university uses the ACS exam, it's important to prepare for it thoroughly to ensure that you can demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of organic chemistry concepts.

By following these tips, you can be well-prepared for the ACS organic chemistry exam. Remember to stay positive and keep a good attitude, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. With hard work and dedication, you can succeed in organic chemistry and beyond.