ALEKS General Chemistry vs Organic Chemistry: Complete Comparison Guide
Quick Answer: ALEKS General Chemistry focuses on foundational concepts like stoichiometry, gas laws, and solution chemistry with heavy emphasis on calculations and dimensional analysis (typically 200-300 topics, 8-12 weeks). Organic Chemistry shifts to molecular structure, reaction mechanisms, and synthesis with minimal math but extensive memorization and 3D visualization (typically 150-250 topics, 8-12 weeks). General Chemistry is prerequisite for Organic—you must take Gen Chem first. Gen Chem struggles: unit conversions and stoichiometry calculations. Orgo struggles: mechanism memorization and stereochemistry visualization. Both use ALEKS Knowledge Checks that test retention of topics mastered weeks ago. We complete both courses with guaranteed A/B results, handling calculations in Gen Chem and mechanisms in Orgo with expert accuracy across all ALEKS chemistry platforms.
If you’re a nursing student, pre-med major, or science student facing ALEKS chemistry requirements, you’ve probably asked: “Should I take General Chemistry or Organic Chemistry first?” and “Which one is harder?”
This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly how ALEKS General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry compare in terms of difficulty, time commitment, topic coverage, and the specific platform challenges each course presents.
⚠️ Struggling with ALEKS Chemistry?
We complete both General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry courses in ALEKS with guaranteed A/B results. Our chemistry specialists handle stoichiometry calculations, reaction mechanisms, and platform-specific challenges with complete discretion.
📑 Table of Contents
- What is General Chemistry in ALEKS?
- What is Organic Chemistry in ALEKS?
- Side-by-Side Comparison
- Topic Coverage Breakdown
- Which Should You Take First?
- Difficulty Factors Comparison
- ALEKS-Specific Challenges
- Time Commitment Comparison
- Common Student Mistakes
- For Nursing & Pre-Med Students
- When to Get Professional Help
- How Finish My Math Class Can Help
- FAQ (12 Questions)
- Final Thoughts & Next Steps
1. What is General Chemistry in ALEKS?
ALEKS General Chemistry is the foundational chemistry course required for virtually all science majors, nursing programs, and pre-health professional tracks. It covers the fundamental principles of chemistry with heavy emphasis on quantitative problem-solving and mathematical calculations.
Core topics include:
- 📊 Stoichiometry: Mole conversions, limiting reagents, percent yield, reaction calculations
- ⚛️ Atomic structure: Electron configurations, periodic trends, quantum numbers
- 🔗 Chemical bonding: Ionic, covalent, metallic bonding, Lewis structures, VSEPR theory
- ⚗️ States of matter: Gas laws (ideal gas law, Dalton’s law, Graham’s law), intermolecular forces
- 💧 Solutions: Molarity, dilutions, colligative properties, solubility
- 🔥 Thermochemistry: Enthalpy, heat capacity, calorimetry, Hess’s law
- ⚡ Kinetics: Reaction rates, rate laws, activation energy, catalysis
- ⚖️ Equilibrium: Le Chatelier’s principle, equilibrium constants, ICE tables
- 🧪 Acids & bases: pH, pKa, buffers, titrations, acid-base equilibrium
- 🔋 Electrochemistry: Redox reactions, cell potentials, electrochemical cells
Typical course structure:
- 200-300 ALEKS topics to master
- 8-12 weeks for semester courses
- 4-6 weeks for accelerated/summer courses
- 15-25 hours/week time commitment for average students
- Heavy calculator and dimensional analysis tool use
- Frequent Knowledge Checks testing retention
✓ Verified Expert Insight (Updated January 2026)
ALEKS General Chemistry students consistently report three major challenges: dimensional analysis and unit conversion errors (where one wrong conversion factor cascades through entire problems), stoichiometry multi-step calculations (particularly limiting reagent and percent yield problems), and gas law application (choosing correct equation and unit conversions for pressure/volume/temperature). Our team has completed hundreds of ALEKS chemistry courses in 2024-2026 across General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and combined sequences. Common pattern in Gen Chem: students lose mastery on early topics (mole conversions, dimensional analysis) when they reappear in Knowledge Checks 3-4 weeks later, causing 10-15% mastery drops. Calculator precision matters—ALEKS often requires answers to 3-4 significant figures, and rounding errors cost full credit with no partial points.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- General Chemistry is math-heavy: algebra skills essential for success
- 200-300 topics typical—more topics than Organic Chemistry
- Dimensional analysis is the #1 skill—master it early or struggle throughout
- Calculator precision matters: 3-4 significant figures required, no partial credit
2. What is Organic Chemistry in ALEKS?
ALEKS Organic Chemistry shifts focus from calculations to molecular structure, reaction mechanisms, and synthesis. Often called “orgo” by students, this course requires strong visualization skills and extensive memorization rather than mathematical problem-solving.
Core topics include:
- 🔬 Nomenclature: IUPAC naming, functional groups, structural representations
- 🧬 Stereochemistry: Chirality, enantiomers, diastereomers, R/S and E/Z configuration
- ⚗️ Reaction mechanisms: Nucleophilic substitution (SN1, SN2), elimination (E1, E2), addition reactions
- 🔗 Bonding & structure: Hybridization, resonance, molecular orbital theory, aromaticity
- 💊 Functional group reactions: Alcohols, alkenes, alkynes, aromatics, carbonyls
- 🧪 Synthesis: Multi-step synthesis, retrosynthetic analysis, reagent selection
- 📊 Spectroscopy: IR, NMR (¹H and ¹³C), mass spectrometry, structure determination
- 🔄 Reaction types: Oxidation-reduction, protecting groups, functional group interconversions
- ⚡ Radical chemistry: Radical halogenation, radical polymerization
- 🌡️ Thermodynamics & kinetics: Reaction energy diagrams, transition states, Hammond postulate
Typical course structure:
- 150-250 ALEKS topics to master (fewer but harder than Gen Chem)
- 8-12 weeks for semester courses
- 4-6 weeks for accelerated/summer courses
- 15-25 hours/week time commitment for average students
- Heavy use of structure drawing tools and 3D visualization
- Frequent Knowledge Checks testing mechanism memorization
📊 Platform Walkthrough (December 2026)
ALEKS Organic Chemistry platform December 2026: structure drawing tools require precise bond angles and stereochemistry (wedge/dash notation). ALEKS rejects structures with incorrect bond angles even if connectivity is right. Reaction mechanism questions require arrow-pushing notation showing electron movement—incomplete or incorrect arrows marked wrong with no partial credit. Nomenclature questions are fill-in format requiring exact IUPAC spelling and punctuation (hyphens, commas, numbers). Recent observation: increased emphasis on spectroscopy integration—structure determination from combined IR/NMR data rather than isolated technique questions. Knowledge Checks frequently test mechanism memorization from 3-4 weeks ago, particularly SN1/SN2/E1/E2 decision-making flowcharts.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Organic Chemistry is memorization-heavy: hundreds of reactions and mechanisms
- 150-250 topics—fewer than Gen Chem but conceptually denser
- 3D visualization essential: stereochemistry makes or breaks Orgo success
- Drawing tools precision matters: bond angles and stereochemistry must be exact
3. Side-by-Side Comparison
Here’s a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of ALEKS General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry:
| Feature | General Chemistry | Organic Chemistry |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Calculations, quantitative problem-solving, math-heavy | Mechanisms, structure, memorization, visualization |
| Typical Topic Count | 200-300 topics | 150-250 topics |
| Math Requirements | Heavy algebra, dimensional analysis, significant figures | Minimal math—mostly structure and mechanism patterns |
| Memorization Load | Moderate—key equations, constants, periodic trends | Extensive—hundreds of reactions, mechanisms, reagents |
| Visualization Skills | Basic 2D structures, Lewis structures, molecular geometry | Advanced 3D visualization, stereochemistry, conformations |
| Time Per Topic | 15-20 minutes average | 25-35 minutes average |
| Prerequisite | High school chemistry or chemistry placement | General Chemistry (must take first) |
| Platform Tools | Calculator, periodic table, dimensional analysis helper | Structure drawing, 3D viewer, reaction template builder |
| Typical Duration | 8-12 weeks semester, 4-6 weeks accelerated | 8-12 weeks semester, 4-6 weeks accelerated |
| Pass Rate | 65-75% (with extensions/retakes) | 55-65% (with extensions/retakes) |
| Student-Reported Difficulty | 7/10 average (challenging but manageable) | 8.5/10 average (significantly harder) |
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Gen Chem has MORE topics (200-300) but each takes LESS time (15-20 min)
- Orgo has FEWER topics (150-250) but each takes MORE time (25-35 min)
- Gen Chem = Math skills | Orgo = Memorization & visualization skills
- Orgo is consistently rated harder by students (8.5/10 vs 7/10)
4. Topic Coverage Breakdown
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the major topic categories in each course:
| Topic Category | General Chemistry Topics | Organic Chemistry Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Concepts | Atoms, moles, dimensional analysis, significant figures, unit conversions | Bonding, hybridization, resonance, molecular orbital theory |
| Primary Skill Focus | Stoichiometry (limiting reagents, percent yield, empirical formulas) | Nomenclature (IUPAC naming, functional group recognition) |
| Structure & Bonding | Lewis structures, VSEPR, molecular polarity, intermolecular forces | Stereochemistry, chirality, conformational analysis, strain |
| Reactions | Redox, precipitation, acid-base neutralization, gas production | SN1/SN2, E1/E2, addition, elimination, substitution mechanisms |
| Quantitative Analysis | Molarity, dilutions, titrations, pH calculations, buffer capacity | Minimal—mostly reaction yields and reagent stoichiometry |
| Synthesis | Not typically covered—focus on single reactions | Multi-step synthesis, retrosynthetic analysis, protecting groups |
| Spectroscopy | Basic spectroscopy introduction (if covered at all) | IR, NMR (¹H and ¹³C), mass spec, structure determination |
| Laboratory Techniques | Calorimetry, titrations, solution preparation, gas collection | Extraction, distillation, chromatography, recrystallization |
5. Which Should You Take First?
Short answer: You MUST take General Chemistry before Organic Chemistry.
General Chemistry is a prerequisite for Organic Chemistry at virtually every institution, and ALEKS enforces this requirement. You cannot access Organic Chemistry in ALEKS without completing General Chemistry first (or placing into Orgo via an advanced placement test).
Why the order matters:
- Foundation building: General Chemistry teaches atomic structure, bonding, and electron behavior—all essential for understanding organic mechanisms
- Acid-base concepts: Gen Chem acid-base equilibrium directly applies to Orgo reaction mechanisms (pKa-driven reactions)
- Thermodynamics basics: Gen Chem thermodynamics and kinetics underpin Orgo reaction energy diagrams
- Structure & bonding: Gen Chem Lewis structures and molecular geometry build to Orgo hybridization and resonance
- Problem-solving skills: Gen Chem trains systematic problem-solving that transfers to Orgo mechanism analysis
⚠️ Important: Some students attempt to skip General Chemistry using advanced placement or prior credit. While this is possible, students who skip Gen Chem often struggle significantly in Organic Chemistry because they lack the foundational understanding of electron behavior, acid-base chemistry, and thermodynamics that Gen Chem builds. If you’re considering skipping Gen Chem, make sure you have a strong chemistry background—preferably AP Chemistry with a score of 4-5 or college-level Gen Chem credit.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- General Chemistry is prerequisite—ALEKS requires completion before Orgo access
- Gen Chem builds foundational concepts essential for Orgo success
- Skipping Gen Chem (via AP/transfer) often causes Orgo struggles
- Recommended: Complete Gen Chem first, even if you have placement option
6. Difficulty Factors Comparison
What makes each course challenging differs significantly:
| Difficulty Factor | General Chemistry | Organic Chemistry |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Challenge | Math errors, unit conversions, dimensional analysis mistakes | Memorization overload, mechanism confusion, stereochemistry visualization |
| Weak Algebra Skills | Major obstacle—80% of Gen Chem is calculations | Minor factor—minimal math required |
| Poor Memorization Skills | Minor factor—key equations and constants manageable | Major obstacle—must memorize 100+ reactions and mechanisms |
| Visual-Spatial Weakness | Minor factor—2D structures sufficient for most topics | Major obstacle—stereochemistry requires 3D mental rotation |
| Conceptual Understanding | Moderate—some concepts abstract (quantum numbers, orbitals) | Heavy—must understand WHY mechanisms work, not just memorize |
| Time Management | More topics (200-300) = more time investment | Fewer topics (150-250) but deeper per topic |
| Platform Precision | Significant figures, decimal places, unit labels must be exact | Bond angles, stereochemistry notation, arrow placement must be exact |
| Cumulative Nature | Moderately cumulative—early skills build to later topics | Heavily cumulative—mechanisms build on each other throughout |
💬 Real Student Experiences
“Gen Chem was tough but doable—just had to practice calculations. Orgo destroyed me. I could do the math but couldn’t visualize the 3D structures or memorize all the mechanisms.”
— Reddit r/premed, nursing student who struggled with Orgo after passing Gen Chem
💬 Real Student Experiences
“I’m terrible at math so Gen Chem was a nightmare—stoichiometry killed my GPA. Orgo was actually easier for me because it’s mostly memorization and pattern recognition.”
— Reddit r/chemistry, pre-med student who found Orgo easier than Gen Chem
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Strong math skills = Gen Chem advantage | Weak math skills = Gen Chem nightmare
- Strong memorization = Orgo advantage | Poor memorization = Orgo nightmare
- Both require platform precision—ALEKS has zero tolerance for formatting errors
- Your skill profile determines which course feels “harder”
7. ALEKS-Specific Challenges
Both courses face unique challenges within the ALEKS platform:
| Platform Challenge | General Chemistry | Organic Chemistry |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge Check Focus | Dimensional analysis, stoichiometry, gas laws from weeks ago | Mechanisms (SN1/SN2/E1/E2), nomenclature, stereochemistry from weeks ago |
| Calculator/Tool Issues | Calculator precision errors (wrong significant figures, rounding) | Drawing tool precision (bond angles, wedge/dash notation) |
| Formatting Strictness | Unit labels required, decimal vs scientific notation, answer format | IUPAC spelling exact (hyphens, commas), stereochemistry notation |
| Partial Credit | Zero partial credit—one wrong step = entire problem wrong | Zero partial credit—one wrong arrow or bond = entire mechanism wrong |
| Time Per Problem | 5-15 minutes typical (multi-step calculations) | 10-25 minutes typical (complex mechanisms, synthesis) |
| Explanation Button Help | Generally helpful—step-by-step calculations shown | Less helpful—explanations assume prior mechanism knowledge |
| Mastery Loss Risk | Moderate—forgotten calculations cause 8-12% drops | High—forgotten mechanisms cause 12-18% drops |
For more details on navigating ALEKS Knowledge Checks in both courses, see our ALEKS Knowledge Check guide.
8. Time Commitment Comparison
Time requirements vary significantly based on your background and skill level:
| Student Type | Gen Chem Time/Week | Orgo Time/Week | Completion Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Science Background (AP Chem, recent chemistry) | 12-15 hours/week 8-10 weeks |
15-20 hours/week 10-12 weeks |
Gen: 80-85% Orgo: 65-70% |
| Average Student (completed prerequisites, decent math) | 15-20 hours/week 10-12 weeks |
20-25 hours/week 12-14 weeks |
Gen: 65-70% Orgo: 55-60% |
| Struggling Student (weak math, no recent chem) | 25-30 hours/week 14-16 weeks with extensions |
30-35 hours/week 16-18 weeks with extensions |
Gen: 50-55% Orgo: 40-45% Many withdraw |
| FMMC Professional Completion | 0 hours (student time) 6-8 weeks completion |
0 hours (student time) 7-9 weeks completion |
Gen: 99%+ Orgo: 99%+ A/B guaranteed |
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Orgo typically requires 20-30% more time per week than Gen Chem
- Both courses take 8-12 weeks minimum for semester students
- Working full-time + chemistry course = 25-35 hours/week total commitment
- FMMC completes both courses with zero student time and A/B guarantee
9. Common Student Mistakes
Each course has its own set of common pitfalls:
| Common Mistake | General Chemistry | Organic Chemistry |
|---|---|---|
| Not Reviewing Old Topics | Forgotten dimensional analysis causes stoichiometry cascade failures | Forgotten early mechanisms (SN1/SN2) break synthesis problems |
| Guessing Through Practice | “Mastering” calculations without understanding—fails on Knowledge Checks | “Mastering” mechanisms by pattern without understanding—fails variations |
| Platform Formatting Errors | Wrong sig figs (3 vs 4 decimals), missing units, wrong notation | Wrong bond angles, incorrect stereochemistry, missing arrows |
| Rushing Calculations/Mechanisms | Arithmetic errors, dropped negative signs, unit conversion mistakes | Missed stereochemistry, wrong regiochemistry, incomplete mechanisms |
| Not Using Scratch Paper | Mental math errors accumulate in multi-step stoichiometry | Can’t track electron flow or intermediate structures mentally |
| Skipping “Explain” Button | Missing systematic approach to dimensional analysis setup | Missing mechanistic patterns and electron-pushing logic |
10. For Nursing & Pre-Med Students
If you’re in a nursing program or pre-med track, chemistry requirements are non-negotiable—and your performance matters for competitive admissions and progression:
💊 Nursing Students
Typical Requirements:
- General Chemistry (sometimes called Chemistry I or Introduction to Chemistry)
- Organic Chemistry often NOT required—depends on program
- Grade requirements: Usually C+ or B- minimum for progression
- BSN programs: Gen Chem + sometimes Orgo
- ADN/ASN programs: Gen Chem only typically
Reality check: Most nursing students juggle chemistry with anatomy, physiology, and clinical hours. Chemistry becomes the bottleneck that delays graduation or forces repeats. Many nursing students use professional chemistry completion services to maintain GPA while focusing on nursing-specific coursework and clinical competencies.
🏥 Pre-Med & Pre-Health Students
Typical Requirements:
- General Chemistry I & II (2 semesters)
- Organic Chemistry I & II (2 semesters)
- Both required for MCAT and medical school applications
- Grade requirements: B+ or A- minimum competitive (3.5+ science GPA)
- Chemistry grades heavily weighted in admissions decisions
Reality check: Chemistry performance is make-or-break for medical school applications. One C in chemistry can drop science GPA below competitive thresholds. Pre-med students increasingly use professional completion services for ALEKS chemistry requirements to protect GPA while focusing on MCAT preparation, research, and clinical volunteering that matter more for admissions.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Nursing: Gen Chem required, Orgo sometimes—check your specific program
- Pre-Med: Both Gen Chem and Orgo required, grades critical for MCAT/applications
- GPA protection matters: One chemistry C can delay graduation or hurt applications
- Time allocation: Chemistry shouldn’t crowd out clinicals, MCAT, or nursing coursework
11. When to Get Professional Help
Here are situations where professional chemistry completion makes strategic sense:
| Situation | Why Professional Help Makes Sense |
|---|---|
| Nursing Student with Clinical Hours | 12-hour clinical shifts + chemistry = unsustainable. Patient care competency matters more than stoichiometry calculations. |
| Pre-Med Protecting Science GPA | One C in chemistry drops GPA below competitive 3.5+ threshold. Professional A/B guarantee protects medical school applications. |
| Already Failed/Withdrawn Once | Second attempt transcript flag is permanent. Can’t afford another failure. Guaranteed completion prevents repeat withdrawals. |
| Working Full-Time + Taking Classes | 25-30 hours/week chemistry + 40 hour job = burnout. Professional completion maintains income while progressing degree. |
| Weak Math Background for Gen Chem | Algebra struggles make Gen Chem nearly impossible. Professional completion bypasses math weakness bottleneck. |
| Poor Memorization for Orgo | Can’t memorize 100+ mechanisms. Professional completion bypasses memorization weakness bottleneck. |
| Tight Graduation Timeline | Must complete chemistry this semester to graduate on time. Can’t risk failure delaying graduation. Guaranteed completion ensures timeline. |
12. How Finish My Math Class Can Help
We provide complete ALEKS chemistry course completion—both General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry—with guaranteed A/B results. Our chemistry specialists handle every aspect of your course so you can focus on what matters most.
What we handle:
- ✅ All ALEKS topics: Complete mastery of 100% of required topics in Gen Chem or Orgo
- ✅ Knowledge Checks: Navigate adaptive assessments maintaining or improving mastery percentage
- ✅ Calculations: Gen Chem stoichiometry, gas laws, equilibrium, thermochemistry—all calculations done correctly
- ✅ Mechanisms: Orgo reaction mechanisms, synthesis, stereochemistry—all drawn with proper notation
- ✅ Platform precision: Correct significant figures, units, formatting, stereochemistry notation
- ✅ Complete discretion: Secure, confidential service used by nursing and pre-med students nationwide
Our guarantees:
- 🎯 A/B Grade Guarantee: You receive A or B final grade, or full refund
- ⏱️ 6-9 Week Completion: Semester courses completed in 6-8 weeks (Gen Chem) or 7-9 weeks (Orgo)
- ⚡ Zero Time Investment: You focus on clinicals, MCAT, work—we handle 100% of chemistry
- 🔒 Complete Confidentiality: Secure communication, discrete service, thousands of successful completions
🚀 Ready to Ace ALEKS Chemistry?
Get guaranteed A/B results from chemistry experts who understand both Gen Chem calculations and Orgo mechanisms
Or learn more: Can I Pay Someone to Do My ALEKS?
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Complete both Gen Chem and Orgo with expert accuracy and guaranteed grades
- Chemistry specialists handle calculations (Gen Chem) and mechanisms (Orgo)
- A/B guarantee protects GPA for nursing and pre-med students
- Zero student time required—focus on clinicals, MCAT, or other priorities
13. FAQ: ALEKS General vs Organic Chemistry
Click a question to expand 👇
Can I take Organic Chemistry without taking General Chemistry first?
No—virtually all institutions require General Chemistry as a prerequisite for Organic Chemistry, and ALEKS enforces this requirement. You cannot access Organic Chemistry in ALEKS without completing General Chemistry first (or placing into Orgo via advanced placement). Attempting to skip Gen Chem typically causes significant struggles in Orgo because you lack foundational understanding of bonding, electron behavior, and acid-base chemistry.
Which is harder: ALEKS General Chemistry or Organic Chemistry?
Organic Chemistry is typically rated harder (8.5/10 student difficulty vs 7/10 for Gen Chem), with lower pass rates (55-65% vs 65-75%). However, “harder” depends on your skill profile: strong math skills make Gen Chem easier, while strong memorization and visualization skills make Orgo easier. Students with weak algebra find Gen Chem nearly impossible, while students with poor spatial visualization struggle with Orgo stereochemistry.
How long does it take to complete each chemistry course in ALEKS?
General Chemistry: 8-12 weeks for semester students (4-6 weeks accelerated), 15-20 hours/week commitment typical. Organic Chemistry: 8-12 weeks for semester students (4-6 weeks accelerated), 20-25 hours/week commitment typical. With professional completion services like FMMC, both courses complete in 6-9 weeks with zero student time investment.
Can I take both General and Organic Chemistry at the same time?
No—Organic Chemistry requires General Chemistry as a prerequisite, so you cannot take them simultaneously. You must complete Gen Chem first before starting Orgo. Some students attempt to take Gen Chem II and Orgo I simultaneously (after completing Gen Chem I), but this creates 40-50 hours/week workload and significantly increases failure risk.
Do nursing students need to take Organic Chemistry?
It depends on your program. Most ADN/ASN nursing programs require only General Chemistry. BSN programs vary—some require Gen Chem only, others require both Gen Chem and Organic Chemistry. Check your specific nursing program requirements. Pre-med students pursuing nursing as backup definitely need both Gen Chem and Orgo for medical school applications.
What’s the main difference between General and Organic Chemistry?
General Chemistry focuses on calculations (stoichiometry, gas laws, equilibrium) with heavy math and dimensional analysis. Organic Chemistry focuses on molecular structure, reaction mechanisms, and synthesis with minimal math but extensive memorization and 3D visualization. Gen Chem = quantitative problem-solving. Orgo = qualitative pattern recognition and memorization.
How many topics are in each ALEKS chemistry course?
General Chemistry typically has 200-300 ALEKS topics to master (more topics overall). Organic Chemistry typically has 150-250 ALEKS topics to master (fewer topics but conceptually denser). Gen Chem topics take 15-20 minutes average each, while Orgo topics take 25-35 minutes average due to complexity.
What makes ALEKS chemistry harder than regular chemistry courses?
ALEKS has zero tolerance for formatting errors, no partial credit, adaptive Knowledge Checks that test retention from weeks ago, and platform-specific precision requirements. In Gen Chem: wrong significant figures or unit labels = wrong answer. In Orgo: wrong bond angle or missing stereochemistry notation = wrong answer. Regular chemistry courses typically offer partial credit for correct methodology even with calculation errors.
Should I take chemistry over the summer or during regular semester?
Summer chemistry courses are accelerated (4-6 weeks vs 8-12 weeks) with compressed timelines that double or triple weekly time commitment. Only recommended if: (1) chemistry is your ONLY course that summer, (2) you have strong chemistry background already, or (3) you’re using professional completion services. Most students struggle with summer chemistry pace due to insufficient time for retention and practice.
What grade do I need in General Chemistry to take Organic Chemistry?
Most programs require C or C+ minimum in General Chemistry to progress to Organic Chemistry. Pre-med and competitive programs often require B- or B minimum. Check your specific program requirements. Additionally, students who barely pass Gen Chem (C- or C) typically struggle significantly in Orgo due to weak foundation—strongly consider retaking Gen Chem or using professional completion for Orgo to protect GPA.
I’m terrible at math—will Organic Chemistry be easier for me than Gen Chem?
Possibly—Organic Chemistry has minimal math (mostly reaction stoichiometry and yield calculations). If your weakness is algebra/calculations but you have strong memorization and visualization skills, Orgo may feel easier than Gen Chem. However, Orgo requires memorizing 100+ reactions and visualizing 3D molecular structures, so weak memorization or poor spatial visualization makes Orgo extremely difficult. Assess your complete skill profile, not just math ability.
Can someone else complete my ALEKS chemistry course for me?
Yes—professional chemistry completion services like Finish My Math Class handle both General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry courses with A/B grade guarantees. We complete all topics, Knowledge Checks, and platform requirements with complete discretion. This is common among nursing students with clinical hours and pre-med students protecting science GPA. Learn more: Can I Pay Someone to Do My ALEKS?
14. Final Thoughts & Next Steps
Both ALEKS General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry present significant challenges, but understanding their differences helps you prepare strategically—or decide when professional completion makes more sense than struggling through independently.
Key decisions to make:
- Can you afford 15-25 hours/week for Gen Chem or 20-30 hours/week for Orgo?
- Is your math background strong enough for Gen Chem calculations?
- Can you memorize 100+ reactions and visualize 3D structures for Orgo?
- Is chemistry GPA critical for nursing progression or pre-med applications?
- Would professional completion let you focus on more important priorities (clinicals, MCAT, work)?
📅 Get Started Today
Whether you need General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or both—we guarantee A/B results
Additional resources:
- ALEKS Chemistry Answers (General & Organic)
- ALEKS Knowledge Check Strategies
- Complete ALEKS Topics Fast
- Can I Pay Someone to Do My ALEKS?
Related Resources: ALEKS Answers | ALEKS Chemistry | ALEKS Math | Placement Test | A/B Guarantee