Hey guys! Starting a thread to discuss chemistry olympiad in the US, but others in the world feel free to discuss and give input! This past year I made it to the national round but didn’t make study camp, which is the goal for this coming year. So, those of you who have made the study camp in the past, please give some input - would be highly appreciated!
What do you guys recommend for textbooks to prepare for the national round? Most of what I've seen says Atkins for General Chem and Klein for Orgo for all knowledge needed for Parts I and II. Is that accurate? Also, which editions would you recommend - 7th and 3rd respectively? Those are the newest, so I'd think so but not sure. Where can you find these books to buy online for the cheapest? I know Klein is easy to find online for pdf download, but I think I'd rather have a physical copy to use.
What resources do you recommend other than textbooks? Obviously doing past papers and problems and studying solutions is important, anything else? Would you say if I were to know those two textbooks backwards and forwards and do a good amount of past test practice would I be in good shape to make the study camp, just based on Parts I and II?
That brings me to Part III of the national round: the labs. Best thing here is practice, practice, practice, but does anyone have recommendations as to a list of specific labs to go through?
I'm pretty concerned with orgo, since that's my weakest area. That's why I will focus heavily on Klein for this coming year, but I'm wondering if you guys think anything else for orgo prep is a good idea? Such as online orgo courses or lectures? MIT OCW has only exams and problem sets for orgo, but no lectures so that's not ideal. Any other orgo resources to prepare for the orgo on Parts I and II for the national round?
Does anyone have any experience with ChemWOOT? Is it worth it or helpful to making study camp?
Again, most of these questions are geared towards past USNCO qualifiers and study camp qualifiers, but anyone interested in the olympiad or chemistry in general feel free to add to the thread.
STUDY CAMP QUALIFIERS: WHAT DID YOU DO SPECIFICALLY IN ORDER TO MAKE THE STUDY CAMP, ESPECIALLY FOR ORGO?
I would love some input from you guys, and would be grateful for any suggestions! Obviously I want to hear not just from study camp qualifiers, but if anyone did well or made honors/high honors. Or if you have any tips relating to the post above at all! Thanks so much!
Hi guys, I’m a two-time camper and I’m selling my chemistry olympiad flashcards/notes. They are the culmination of more than 3 years of preparation, and cover all possible topics - formulas, orgo, thermodynamics, inorganic, chemical processes, reactions, trivia, lab techniques, etc. It’s information I compiled succinctly from several chemistry textbooks (including Atkins) and a multitude of online sources. A lot of the info tested on the exam is really hard to find just by reading a textbook, and even though some facts tested seem “random”, there are patterns, which I’ve paid special attention to in my notes. Reviewing these cards every day are what enabled me and my sibling to make top 20 twice. Message me if interested! I also offer tutoring lessons specifically for chem olympiad.
I am taking AP chem right now at school. But I have no idea how to figure out this question. What kind of chemistry knowledge is needed to answer this question? I have Atkins textbook Chemical Principles, which chapters should I learn to be able to handle this type of questions?
Hello, I am icho Gold medalist who would like your flash cards to review for iCho. Therefore I would like to buy your flash card. Please DM me for more details. I appreciate your prompt reply.
Hello everyone, I’m a multiple-time camper and IChO gold medalist from the US who’s currently in college, and I’m accepting new students for the 2021 USNCO competition cycle. I’ve tutored for the 2019 and 2020 Chemistry Olympiads, and my students have done well at the national level. My general approach for students is, of course, to equip them with the materials they need to prepare, but more importantly to develop strong problem-solving skills that have become more important in recent USNCO competitions, as well as higher-level competitions. If you’re interested, please DM me for more details.
@niklingineni@chemisamazing I apologize for seeing this somewhat late, but I would prefer if you could PM me so we can discuss details (and we won’t have to discuss here). I can’t seem to initiate a PM for some reason…
I am not able to initiate a DM either.
Please email me here: chemisamazing23@gmail.com
We can discuss the details through emails if that is fine with you.