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All Organic Chemistry Resources
Free Organic Chemistry Diagnostic Tests
Organic Chemistry Diagnostic Test 1
Organic Chemistry Diagnostic Test 2
Organic Chemistry Diagnostic Test 3
Organic Chemistry Diagnostic Test 4
Organic Chemistry Diagnostic Test 5
All Organic Chemistry Resources
For many college students, the phrase “organic chemistry” evokes angst and worry, as the subject can seem daunting to learn, let alone to master. For any chemistry major or pre-med student, this course is a requirement, either for a degree or for admittance into medical school or other graduate study; however, it need not be the torturous experience it is rumored to be. It can be survived, if not enjoyed, with the right approach.
Typically, organic chemistry is taught over the course of two semesters or quarters. The first part introduces key concepts and a few reactions, while the second part elaborates on these concepts and introduces more many reactions. It is the second half, with all of the reactions, that often seems unmanageable. Indeed, the number of reactions discussed would be overwhelming to any student who tried simply to memorize them; however, to the student who understands the underlying mechanisms and principles, the number of reactions covered by the class will seem a lot more manageable.
During the first part of the course, concepts such as sterics, resonance, nucleophilicity, electrophilicity, thermodynamic stability, kinetic stability, and electronic inductive effects are introduced. A great deal of organic chemistry can be explained by understanding these seven concepts and how they are related, and thereby a lot of reactions introduced in the second part of the course will make more sense.
Consider, as an example, the addition of a Grignard reagent to a ketone. Here, a nucleophile (the Grignard reagent) attacks an electrophile (a positively charged nucleus, i.e. the carbon of the ketone group) to form a carbon-carbon bond. Essentially, this reaction involves an electrostatic attraction between a partially positively-charged carbon (the carbonyl) and a partially negatively-charged carbon (the Grignard). Now, consider the reaction of a Grignard reagent with a nitrile, aldehyde, and ester. These three reactions can be explained by the exact same concepts as the Grignard / ketone reaction! Thus, instead of trying to memorize four reactions, a student, with the proper understanding, can apply one mechanism to predict (without much memorization) the outcome of all of these reactions. Even more good news: other classes of organic chemistry reactions lend themselves to the same process!
Consider another example: the dreaded Sn2/Sn1/E1/E2 debate. These are typically the first reactions discussed in any organic chemistry course; however, the principles behind these reactions (nucleophile, good leaving group, steric hindrance) can be applied to the whole course, explaining many reactions later on: for instance, the Sn1 and E1 reactions proceed through a carbocation intermediate. The stability of carbocation intermediates drives many of the organic reactions that are covered in both semesters. Understanding this principle can be as helpful in learning about E1 reactions (first semester) as it can be in learning about allylic cation reactions (second semester).
So, to conclude with some practical advice: AVOID MEMORIZATION! Use your time instead to learn and understand the underlying concepts and reaction mechanisms demonstrated by each type of reaction. You can start doing this by taking Varsity Tutors’ free Organic Chemistry Practice Tests. Our free Organic Chemistry Practice Tests are each a selection of 10 to 12 questions, which will give you a cross-section of topics from Organic Chemistry. You might think of them as little quizzes, which you can use to hone your skills. Once you realize which topics you need to work on learning, you can focus on understanding the underlying concepts that explain them, and not just memorizing chemical reactions. This will give you a deeper understanding of the material and help you survive, if not thrive, in O-chem!
Free Organic Chemistry Practice Tests
Practice Tests by Concept
Laboratory practices practice test
organic_chemistry-laboratory-practicesHow to identify compounds practice test
organic_chemistry-how-to-identify-compoundsHow to purify compounds practice test
organic_chemistry-how-to-purify-compoundsHow to quantify compounds practice test
organic_chemistry-how-to-quantify-compoundsUsing other organic chemistry lab techniques practice test
organic_chemistry-using-other-organic-chemistry-lab-techniquesOrganic concepts practice test
organic_chemistry-organic-conceptsBiological molecules practice test
organic_chemistry-biological-moleculesHelp with organic carbohydrates practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-organic-carbohydratesHelp with organic lipids practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-organic-lipidsHelp with organic proteins practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-organic-proteinsHelp with other biological molecules practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-other-biological-moleculesIntermolecular forces and stability practice test
organic_chemistry-intermolecular-forces-and-stabilityHelp with intermolecular forces practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-intermolecular-forcesHelp with molecular properties practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-molecular-propertiesNucleophiles and electrophiles practice test
organic_chemistry-nucleophiles-and-electrophilesIdentifying electron-donating groups practice test
organic_chemistry-identifying-electron-donating-groupsIdentifying electron-withdrawing groups practice test
organic_chemistry-identifying-electron-withdrawing-groupsIdentifying electrophiles practice test
organic_chemistry-identifying-electrophilesIdentifying nucleophiles practice test
organic_chemistry-identifying-nucleophilesOrganic functional groups and molecules practice test
organic_chemistry-organic-functional-groups-and-moleculesOrganic functional groups practice test
organic_chemistry-organic-functional-groupsIdentifying amino compounds practice test
organic_chemistry-identifying-amino-compoundsIdentifying aromatic compounds practice test
organic_chemistry-identifying-aromatic-compoundsIdentifying carbonyl compounds practice test
organic_chemistry-identifying-carbonyl-compoundsIdentifying other organic compounds practice test
organic_chemistry-identifying-other-organic-compoundsOrganic intermediates practice test
organic_chemistry-organic-intermediatesHelp with protecting groups practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-protecting-groupsIdentifying carbocations practice test
organic_chemistry-identifying-carbocationsIdentifying enolates practice test
organic_chemistry-identifying-enolatesIdentifying imines and enamines practice test
organic_chemistry-identifying-imines-and-enaminesReactions types practice test
organic_chemistry-reactions-typesHelp with acid-base reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-acid-base-reactionsHelp with addition reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-addition-reactionsHelp with elimination reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-elimination-reactionsHelp with oxidation-reduction reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-oxidation-reduction-reactionsHelp with radical reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-radical-reactionsHelp with rearrangement reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-rearrangement-reactionsHelp with substitution reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-substitution-reactionsReaction mechanisms, energetics, and kinematics practice test
organic_chemistry-reaction-mechanisms-energetics-and-kinematicsElimination mechanisms practice test
organic_chemistry-elimination-mechanismsHelp with e1 reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-e1-reactionsHelp with e2 reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-e2-reactionsOther reaction mechanisms practice test
organic_chemistry-other-reaction-mechanismsHelp with electron pushing practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-electron-pushingIdentifying reaction mechanisms practice test
organic_chemistry-identifying-reaction-mechanismsReaction energetics and kinetmatics practice test
organic_chemistry-reaction-energetics-and-kinetmaticsHelp with activation energy and catalysts practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-activation-energy-and-catalysts_aaHelp with rate calculations and kinematics practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-rate-calculations-and-kinematicsSubstitution mechanisms practice test
organic_chemistry-substitution-mechanismsHelp with sn1 reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-sn1-reactionsHelp with sn2 reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-sn2-reactionsReactions by product practice test
organic_chemistry-reactions-by-productAmino products practice test
organic_chemistry-amino-productsHelp with amine synthesis practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-amine-synthesisCarbonyl products practice test
organic_chemistry-carbonyl-productsHelp with alcohol synthesis practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-alcohol-synthesisHelp with aldehyde and ketone synthesis practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-aldehyde-and-ketone-synthesisHelp with carboxylic acid synthesis practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-carboxylic-acid-synthesisHelp with ether and ester synthesis practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-ether-and-ester-synthesisHelp with other carbonyl products practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-other-carbonyl-productsHydrocarbon products practice test
organic_chemistry-hydrocarbon-productsHelp with alkane synthesis practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-alkane-synthesisHelp with alkene synthesis practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-alkene-synthesisHelp with alkyne synthesis practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-alkyne-synthesisReactions by reactant practice test
organic_chemistry-reactions-by-reactantAmino reactants practice test
organic_chemistry-amino-reactantsHelp with nitro and amide reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-nitro-and-amide-reactionsCarbonyl reactants practice test
organic_chemistry-carbonyl-reactantsHelp with alcohol reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-alcohol-reactionsHelp with aldehyde and ketone reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-aldehyde-and-ketone-reactionsHelp with carboxylic acid reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-carboxylic-acid-reactionsHelp with ether and ester reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-ether-and-ester-reactionsHelp with other carbonyl reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-other-carbonyl-reactionsHydrocarbon reactants practice test
organic_chemistry-hydrocarbon-reactantsHelp with alkane reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-alkane-reactionsHelp with alkene reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-alkene-reactionsHelp with alkyne reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-alkyne-reactionsRedox chemistry practice test
organic_chemistry-redox-chemistryOrganic oxidizing agents practice test
organic_chemistry-organic-oxidizing-agentsUsing dichromate compounds practice test
organic_chemistry-using-dichromate-compoundsUsing other organic oxidizing agents practice test
organic_chemistry-using-other-organic-oxidizing-agentsUsing pcc practice test
organic_chemistry-using-pccUsing potassium permanganate practice test
organic_chemistry-using-potassium-permanganateOrganic reducing agents practice test
organic_chemistry-organic-reducing-agentsUsing grignard reagents practice test
organic_chemistry-using-grignard-reagentsUsing lithium aluminum hydride practice test
organic_chemistry-using-lithium-aluminum-hydrideUsing other organic reducing agents practice test
organic_chemistry-using-other-organic-reducing-agentsUsing sodium borohydride practice test
organic_chemistry-using-sodium-borohydrideOxidation-reduction reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-oxidation-reduction-reactionsFinding oxidation number practice test
organic_chemistry-finding-oxidation-numberHelp with oxidation practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-oxidationHelp with reduction practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-reductionSpecific reactions and named reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-specific-reactions-and-named-reactionsCarbonyl reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-carbonyl-reactionsHelp with aldol condensation practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-aldol-condensationHelp with carboxylation and decarboxylation practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-carboxylation-and-decarboxylation_aaHelp with esterification practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-esterificationHelp with haloform reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-haloform-reactionsHelp with hydrolysis and condensation reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-hydrolysis-and-condensation-reactionsHelp with keto-enol tautomerization practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-keto-enol-tautomerizationHelp with saponification practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-saponificationHelp with wittig reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-wittig-reactionsHydrocarbon reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-hydrocarbon-reactionsHelp with diels-alder reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-diels-alder-reactionsHelp with hydroboration practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-hydroborationHelp with ozonolysis practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-ozonolysisOther reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-other-reactionsHelp with other named reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-other-named-reactionsReduction reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-reduction-reactionsHelp with grignard reactions practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-grignard-reactionsHelp with wolff-krishner reduction practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-wolff-krishner-reductionStereochemistry practice test
organic_chemistry-stereochemistryBenzene additions practice test
organic_chemistry-benzene-additionsAssigning ortho, meta, para practice test
organic_chemistry-assigning-ortho-meta-paraPredicting benzene orientation practice test
organic_chemistry-predicting-benzene-orientationIsomers practice test
organic_chemistry-isomersHelp with cis-trans isomers practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-cis-trans-isomersHelp with comformers practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-comformersHelp with diastereomers practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-diastereomersHelp with enantiomers practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-enantiomersHelp with epimers practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-epimersHelp with meso compounds practice test
organic_chemistry-help-with-meso-compoundsAll Organic Chemistry Resources
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All Organic Chemistry Resources
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