• A-Levels to MCAT - Chemistry Guide (part 2)

Here is the second part of the A-Levels to MCAT guide for Chemistry.

Expected duration: 15 days

Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry are covered in part II. Most of the questions in your Chemistry section will be from Organic chemistry, and I want to point out here that organic chemistry of FSC is very different than the A-level one. The terms used are more primitive and not up to date. You might take some time with the terms used in it. But don't panic, you'll get used to it after revising again and again.

INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

1. PERIODS
Chapter # 1
Questions: 02

The entire chapter from page 1 - 10 is included. Only pages 11 - 15 are not included.

2. GROUPS
Chapter # 2, #3, #5
Questions: 02

As you can read from the syllabus, only group II, IV, VII and VIII and included. Each of these groups are in separate chapters. Let's see the learning outcomes now.

The first sentence tells us that you have to describe and explain the variations in each group

For Group II: Read the whole of the text related to Alkaline Earth metals in Chapter # 2. But learn from pages 24 - 29 only.

For Group IV: Skip all of the text related to group III and start learning from pages 44-48.

For Group VII and VIII: Move to chapter # 5 and learn EVERYTHING in it except from page 84 - 87 and page 92.

The learning outcomes have now all been covered. The only point that isn't fully covered is (c): water purification. For that you will have to open up chapter # 16 pg 316 and learn from there.

3. TRANSITION ELEMENTS
Chapter # 6
Questions: 02

This chapter is pretty average. It's harder than the A-level one because it has things that you have to cram. All of the points are covered from pages 97 - 105. After page 106, nothing is included.

4. ELEMENTS OF BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE
Chapter # 8 (FSC I), Chapter # 4, #15, #16
Questions: 04

This topic isn't exactly a whole separate chapter in the book. You have to search out the whole book for it. Here's where every point is covered:

• Point (a) is covered in the KIPS book
• Point (b) is what you have already studied in Chapter 8 in part I
• Point (c) is covered on pages 292 and pg 61-62.
• Point (d) is covered on pages 309, 310.
• Point (e) is covered on pages 70-72

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

1. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Chapter # 7, # 10
Question: 02

Now starts the hard part, so brace yourself. Again, I will remind you. The naming of compounds in Organic Chemistry is different than what we have studied.

• Point (a) is covered on pages 123 - 125
• I did point (b) by revising my AS notes
• For point (c) refer to the KIPS book
• Point (d) is covered on page 199
• Point (e) is on page 130 - 132 and it is VERY IMPORTANT
• Point (f) is covered in the KETS book
• For point (g) you have to learn the text under the heading 'Nomenclature' in Chapter # 8, #11 & # 13

2. HYDROCARBONS
Chapter # 8 & #9
Questions: 02

This is basically almost everything you have studied before with a little or more detail. Preparation of alkanes and benzene is not included.

ALKANES: 
• Point (a) is covered on page 146
• Point (b) is covered on pages 147 - 148

ALKENES:
• Point (a) is covered on pages 149 - 150
• Point (b) is covered on pages 152 - 156. Leave the topics not mentioned in the syllabus.

BENZENE:
For this chapter, first revise Jim Clarke's A-2 notes for Benzene.
• Point (a) is covered on pages 173 - 178
• Point (b) is covered on pages 181 - 186. Just to stay on the safe side, go through all of the reactions of benzene.

3. ALKYL HALIDES
Chapter # 10
Questions: 02

• For point (a) refer to the KIPS book
• Point (b) is covered in pages 198 - 203

4. ALCOHOL & PHENOLS
Chapter # 11
Questions: 04

ALCOHOLS

• Point (a) is covered on page212
• Point (b) is covered on page 215
• Point (c) is covered on page 216 - 218

PHENOLS

Revise Jim Clarke's notes for Phenols first.

• Point (a) is covered on pages 221 - 222. Although nitration is better explained in A levels.
• Point (b) is covered on page 220. Again Jim Clarke explains this better.

5. ALDEHYDES & KETONES
Chapter # 12
Questions: 03

This chapter is basically more or less the same as that in A-level. The terms and names are like I said before, different.

• Point (a) is covered on pages 228 - 229
• Point (b) is covered on pages 230-232
• Point (c) (i) is in pages 232-234, 241
                   (ii) is in pages 242 -245
                  (iii) is in page 238 but is better explained in A-level.

6. CARBOXYLLIC ACID
Chapter # 13
Questions: 03

Revise Jim Clarke's notes of Acyl Chroide and Carboxyllic acid first. Also read from the A-level Courses book.

• Point (a) is covered on pages 251 - 252
• Point (b) is covered on pages 254 - 256. The table of esters and their flavours is very important
• Point (c) and (d) are not in the book. Revise them from the A-level chapter of 'Nitrogen Compounds'.

7. AMINO ACIDS
Chapter # 13
Questions: 06

For this chapter, there is a table of amino acids in the book on page 300. The table in the book is sufficient enough.

All the points are covered from pages 259 - 263.

8. MACROMOLECULES
Chapter # 14
Questions: 06

You have to do the ENTIRE chapter for this.

9. ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY
Chapter # 16
Questions: 02

• Point (a) is covered on pages 312 - 316
• Point (b) is covered on pages 316 - 319
• Point (c) is covered on pages 310 - 311

This concludes the Chemistry part.

For credits, go to the introduction page.