Getting Off to a Good Start in Organic Chemistry

Over the years, organic chemistry has developed a notorious reputation among science majors as an incredibly difficult and intimidating course, and it is often a stumbling block for pre-med students. Each semester, numerous Organic Chemistry I (OCHEM I) students are stunned by their poor Exam 1 performance and then inquire to their professor if they can still get an A, or if attaining a passing grade in the class is still possible. Herein, we examine the correlation between OCHEM I students’ Exam 1 scores and their final letter grades. Our intention is to be able to more precisely advise them after the first exam. Data (first-exam scores and final letter grades) from approximately 350 students were analyzed, and logistic regression was used to predict probability of student success in OCHEM I. Defining success as receiving a passing grade of A, B or C, Exam 1 scores were found to be a strong predictor of student success in the course. For example, if a student scores one standard deviation below the class average on Exam 1, that student’s chance of passing the course is only 10%. Moreover, students who perform poorly on the first exam rarely improve their grade substantially by the end of the course. Most students (64%) earn final grades within one letter grade of their Exam 1 result. We also intend to use these findings at the outset of the course as motivation for our students to study more effectively and to ask for help sooner.