OrgoMech is an iOS app for organic chemistry students and pre-meds. You draw or pick a reactant, add reagents, predict the major product, then practice ordering the curved-arrow mechanism steps — the same skills tested on exams and the MCAT.

Is OrgoMech good for MCAT organic chemistry?

Yes. OrgoMech focuses on reaction outcomes, stereochemistry, and mechanism arrow-pushing — core skills for the organic chemistry section of the MCAT and undergraduate orgo courses.

How is OrgoMech different from memorizing reactions?

Instead of isolated facts, you see why a product wins (regiochemistry and stereochemistry) and practice electron-pushing in sequence. The reaction library groups mechanisms by type with the trap answers students confuse on tests.

Does OrgoMech include a reaction mechanism practice mode?

Yes. After predicting the product, you order the mechanism steps — nucleophile attack, leaving group departure, and pi bond formation — matching graded mechanism questions.

Where can I download OrgoMech?

OrgoMech is available on the Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad in the United States and other regions where the app is listed. Use the Download on the App Store link on this site.

Can I prepare for an orgo midterm in one week?

You can strengthen weak areas in a week if you focus on active problems, not full textbook rereads. Coverage is usually smaller than a final.

What should I do the first day of midterm week?

Confirm tested chapters, take one mixed problem set untimed, and tag misses by topic (acid/base, SN1/SN2, alkenes, etc.).

How much sleep should I get before an orgo midterm?

Aim for consistent sleep the two nights before — retrieval and stereochemistry judgments drop sharply when you are exhausted.

Should I only study the newest chapter?

Usually the midterm emphasizes recent material but may include earlier foundations (resonance, chirality). Check practice exams if available.

Are mechanism arrows worth practicing for a midterm?

If your professor grades mechanisms, yes — even 10 minutes ordering steps per study block builds partial credit skills.

What if I have a lab report due during midterm week?

Block shorter high-intensity study slots and protect one timed practice set — multitasking orgo with no retrieval practice rarely works.

When should I stop learning new reactions before the midterm?

About 24 hours before the exam, switch to review and sleep. New reaction families the night before rarely stick.

Study guide by goal · en-US undergraduate orgo

Organic chemistry midterm week: a 7-day study plan that fits a real schedule

Midterm week is not the same as final season: you have fewer chapters, but you also have problem sets due and less time. The plan below assumes about seven days and one focused block (60–90 minutes) per day plus optional short touch-ups — enough to move the needle without pretending you can relearn the whole course.

Day 1–2: Scope and weak spots

Confirm which chapters and reaction types are fair game. Skim your notes only to build a checklist — then close the notebook and do problems.

Do one untimed set of mixed questions from homework or textbook. Tag misses: nomenclature, acid/base, mechanism, or stereochemistry. Those tags decide Days 3–5.

Day 3–4: Mechanism depth on the highest-yield topics

For most first midterms, substitution/elimination and alkene addition dominate. Spend time on decision trees: substrate, nucleophile/base, solvent, heat.

Draw products with wedges and dashes when chirality is possible. Professors often reserve points for stereochemistry on exactly the reactions you rushed.

SN2 → inversion; SN1 → racemization at the electrophilic center (with caveats).
E2 → anti-periplanar; watch cyclohexane chairs.
HX, halogens, hydroboration — know regio- and stereochemistry outcomes.

Day 5: Timed mixed set

Simulate exam length per problem. If you freeze, mark and move — then review every mark with the mechanism, not just the answer key letter.

Day 6–7: Light review and sleep

Day 6: Only red-tag topics plus one full mixed set. Day before exam: 30–45 minutes of flash fixes, pack materials, sleep. Cramming new reaction families the night before rarely sticks.

Short daily touch-ups beat one six-hour block. Even 15 minutes of mixed recall the morning of the exam can activate what you studied.

Checklist

Confirm midterm coverage with the syllabus or a class announcement.
Complete at least two mixed problem sets before the timed simulation.
Practice at least five mechanism arrow sequences from memory.
Prepare allowed materials (model kit, ruler, equation sheet) the night before.
Avoid learning brand-new reaction types in the last 24 hours.

Free mechanism hubs to pair with this guide

SN1 vs SN2 — SN1 vs SN2
Stereochemistry — how to assign R and S
E1 vs E2 — E1 vs E2
Alkene addition — Markovnikov

MCAT organic chemistry study plan

Student questions

Can I prepare for an orgo midterm in one week?: You can strengthen weak areas in a week if you focus on active problems, not full textbook rereads. Coverage is usually smaller than a final.
What should I do the first day of midterm week?: Confirm tested chapters, take one mixed problem set untimed, and tag misses by topic (acid/base, SN1/SN2, alkenes, etc.).
How much sleep should I get before an orgo midterm?: Aim for consistent sleep the two nights before — retrieval and stereochemistry judgments drop sharply when you are exhausted.
Should I only study the newest chapter?: Usually the midterm emphasizes recent material but may include earlier foundations (resonance, chirality). Check practice exams if available.
Are mechanism arrows worth practicing for a midterm?: If your professor grades mechanisms, yes — even 10 minutes ordering steps per study block builds partial credit skills.
What if I have a lab report due during midterm week?: Block shorter high-intensity study slots and protect one timed practice set — multitasking orgo with no retrieval practice rarely works.
When should I stop learning new reactions before the midterm?: About 24 hours before the exam, switch to review and sleep. New reaction families the night before rarely stick.

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Optional: drill on your phone between problem sets

OrgoMech is free to download on the App Store. Use it when you want mixed reaction practice — product first, mechanism second — not as a substitute for your textbook or professor’s office hours.

Download on theApp Store FAQ

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