ABC-BIO study plan
ABC-BIO · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Bioanalytical Chemistry
Map the Domain 1 blueprint into a weighted topic list ranked by exam percentage
Define bioanalytical validation terminology (accuracy, precision, selectivity, sensitivity, matrix effect, carryover) in your own words
Build a formula sheet covering calibration, recovery, and matrix-factor calculations
Solve 15 calculation drills on standard-curve fitting and back-calculated concentrations
Your checkpoint
A one-page Domain 1 topic map with weightings plus a completed 15-question calculation worksheet scored at 80% or higher
Bioanalytical Chemistry
Distinguish chromatographic separation modes (reversed-phase, ion-exchange, size-exclusion, HILIC) by analyte type
Explain how sample preparation choices (protein precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction) affect recovery and matrix effects
Interpret chromatograms to identify co-elution, tailing, and carryover problems
Predict the effect of changing mobile-phase pH, organic content, and flow rate on retention
Your checkpoint
A comparison table of four sample-prep techniques scored against recovery, matrix effect, and throughput, plus 10 chromatogram-interpretation items answered with rationale
Bioanalytical Chemistry
Compare ionization sources and mass analyzers by resolution, mass accuracy, and suitable applications
Trace fragmentation pathways to justify selected reaction monitoring transitions
Design an internal-standard strategy and justify stable-isotope-labeled versus analog choices
Diagnose common quantification failures (ion suppression, saturation, poor linearity) from data patterns
Your checkpoint
A written method-design brief for one small-molecule assay specifying source, analyzer, transition, and internal standard with justification
Bioanalytical Chemistry & General Analytical Chemistry
Assemble a full bioanalytical validation protocol covering the standard validation parameters
Apply general analytical statistics (mean, SD, %CV, confidence intervals, regression) to validation data sets
Calculate and interpret LLOQ, ULOQ, and dilution-integrity results
Complete a timed 25-question mixed set spanning Domains 1 and 2
Your checkpoint
A complete draft validation protocol plus a timed 25-question set scored at 75% or higher with an error log
General Analytical Chemistry
Classify titration types and compute equivalence-point and concentration results
Balance redox equations and calculate equivalent weights and normality
Solve gravimetric and volumetric stoichiometry problems to correct significant figures
Explain sources of determinate versus indeterminate error in classical methods
Your checkpoint
A 20-problem classical-analysis problem set with worked solutions, scored at 85% or higher
General Analytical Chemistry
Derive pH and buffer problems including polyprotic and buffer-capacity cases
Interpret potentiometric and conductometric titration curves to locate endpoints
Apply the Nernst equation to electrochemical cells and compute cell potentials
Distinguish spectroscopic transitions and apply Beer-Lambert calculations including deviations from linearity
Your checkpoint
A two-page worked-example sheet covering pH, buffers, potentiometry, and Beer-Lambert, each with one fully solved representative problem
General Analytical Chemistry
Apply statistical quality-control concepts (control charts, Westgard-style rules, outliers, t-tests) to analytical data
Evaluate accuracy versus precision using reference materials and spike recoveries
Propagate uncertainty through multi-step calculations
Audit a data set for bias, drift, and nonconformity and prescribe corrective action
Your checkpoint
A written QC audit report on a provided synthetic data set identifying at least three issues with corrective actions
Bioanalytical Chemistry & General Analytical Chemistry
Re-rank weak topics from the error logs and re-drill the top five
Complete two full-length timed practice exams under exam conditions
Review every missed item to root cause (knowledge gap, calculation slip, misread)
Consolidate a final one-page formula and concept sheet for last-week review
Your checkpoint
Two completed timed practice exams with a root-cause error analysis and a finalized one-page review sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Score 75%+ on a 20-question Domain 1 quiz and explain sample-prep trade-offs without notes
Week 4: Complete a full validation protocol draft and score 75%+ on the first mixed timed set
Week 6: Score 80%+ on a 20-question Domain 2 quiz covering pH, buffers, potentiometry, and spectroscopy
Week 8: Score 80%+ on both full-length timed practice exams with a documented error log