Studying for the MCAT can be challenging. With many scientific terms and equations to master, you cannot help but feel overwhelmed.
Thankfully, you can employ many techniques and strategies to make preparing for the MCAT a little less challenging.
One such technique is the use of mnemonics. When information is structured into lists like attributes, processes, stages, components, phases, etc., it is simpler to recall larger amounts of it.
This article will provide you with an MCAT mnemonics guide; if that is what you are looking for, you have come to the right page. Let’s keep going.
What Do I Need to Memorize for the MCAT?
The MCAT covers a vast array of topics. There’s biology, biochemistry, general chemistry, organic chemistry, psychology, and sociology, among others.
As you prepare for the MCAT, ensure that you have read and understood what percentage of these subjects are included in the MCAT. This will let you know which subjects to focus more on.
Below are the different topics and disciplines that you need to study and memorize important concepts for the MCAT:
What are Mnemonics?
A mnemonic device is a memory strategy that can improve your capacity for information recall and retention. This learning technique originated in Greece. You can use mnemonic devices as memory aids to transfer information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory.
Mnemonics could be expressed as a rhyme, song, acronym, picture, word, or entire statement. When the sequence of events is crucial, mnemonics are very helpful in recalling details and information.
Do Mnemonics Work on the MCAT?
Having mentioned the different topics included and covered in the MCAT, it is obvious that retaining information is vital.
Learning reaction mechanisms, chemical principles, biological processes, electrochemical equations, metabolic pathways, and developmental theories by heart is essential.
However, there is nothing to worry about. Because of how your brain is organized, all this information may already be instantaneously perceived and encoded (stored in long-term memory).
With the use of MCAT mnemonics, larger amounts of information are simpler to remember, especially when they are presented in lists like steps, attributes, components, stages, phases, etc.
Mnemonic devices are indeed beneficial and will help you ace the MCAT.
Different Types of Mnemonics
There are different kinds of mnemonics that you can use while studying for the MCAT.
Depending on your preference (and creativity), you can always choose from the different types of mnemonics we have below, which one best suits your learning style.
Acronyms and Acrostics
A term or words created using the first letter(s) of the things you want to remember are called acronyms.
Examples:
Colors of the rainbow – ROYGBIV
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet
Order of operations – PEMDAS
Please Excuse My Dear Aunt SallyChunking
Chunking is a type of organization mnemonic in which you separate knowledge into smaller units and memorize each one separately before putting it all together. Chunking is helpful for retaining more information than the typical short-term memory limit of seven items.
Examples:
Phone Number – 2125489870
Chunked: 212 – 548 – 9870
Password – P3850tf21
Chunked: P385 – 50 – tf21
Songs and Rhymes
Making use of music can help you successfully encode information in your brain. The "A-B-C" song is a well-known illustration, but there is no end to the lessons that can be taught when they are put to music.
You can learn math equations, memory verses, science cycles, the nations of Africa, and more.
For instance, some kids will sing the "ABC" song while they learn their ABCs. Others use the song "50 Nifty United States" to teach them the alphabetical order of all the states.
Method of Loci
This mnemonic device uses visualizations and is often referred to as the memory journey method.
Utilize the loci method by visualizing oneself moving through a familiar environment. This type of picture mnemonic can help you recall lists, directions, and locations.Imagery and Visualization
Transforming pieces of information you wish to remember into mental images can be a powerful mnemonic strategy because our brains remember visuals considerably more quickly than words or sounds.
If you are trying to learn a new term, for instance, you might find it helpful to visualize some of the vocabulary words:
You could picture a tiger sipping gray tea because the Spanish word for tiger is “tigre”.
“Sol” is Spanish for sun, so you might picture the sun scorching the sole of your foot.
Connection Mnemonics
The information that has to be remembered is linked to previously learned information in this sort of mnemonic.
Examples:
When you understand that the long lines on a globe that travel North and South coincide with LONGitude, it is simpler to remember the direction of longitude and latitude.
There is an N in LONGitude and an N in North, as demonstrated by another connection mnemonic.
There is no N in latitude; hence latitude lines must run from east to west.
MCAT Mnemonics Examples and Use Cases
It is a fact that studying for the MCAT requires significant time and effort. Employing mnemonics is one technique to guarantee that you get to keep the facts and knowledge you need, especially with so many other parts to study for.
Here are a few MCAT mnemonics you can utilize as you prepare for the test.
MCAT Biochemistry Mnemonics
Topics | Sub-topics | Mnemonics |
|---|---|---|
Polar uncharged amino acids | Glutamine (Gln) Serine (Ser) Asparagine (Asn) Cysteine (Cys) Threonine (Thr) | Good Spaghetti Always Comes with Tomatoes |
Electric amino acids | Histidine (His, H) Arginine (Arg, R) Aspartic acid (Asp, D) Lysine (Lys, K) Glutamic acid (Glu, E) | Her Red Dress Kills Enemies |
Aromatic amino acids | Phenylalanine Tyrosine Tryptophan | Please Think Twice |
Molecules in the TCA cycle | Citrate I Ketoglutarate Succinyl Succinate Fumarate Malate Oxaloacetate | Can I Keep Selling Shells For Money, Officer? |
Enzymes in the TCA cycle | Citrate synthase Cis-aconitase Isocitrate dehydrogenase A-α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase Succinyl CoA synthetase Succinate dehydrogenase Fumarase Malate dehydrogenase | Collared Central Intelligence Agent Spoke Slander For Money |
Enzymes in irreversible steps | Hexokinase Glucokinase PFK-1 Pyruvate Kinase | Her Grandma Puts Paints in Kettles |
Three stop codons | UAA UGA UAG | U Are Annoying U Go Away U Are Gone |
Different kinds of blots | Southern blot = DNA Northern blot = RNA O O Western blot = Proteins | S D N R O O W P |
Click here to learn more MCAT Biochemistry Mnemonics.
MCAT Chemistry Mnemonics
Topics | Sub-topics | Mnemonics |
|---|---|---|
Sequence of orbitals | s p d f g h i k | Susan Plays Darts, Football and is Good at Hiding In Kitchens |
Noble gases | Helium Neon Argon Krypton Xenon Radon | Harry Needs A Kaleidoscope for X-Mas, Right? |
Alkali metals | Lithium Sodium (Na) Potassium (K) Rubidium Cesium Francium | Linda, Noel, and Karen Ruin Ben’s Cute Shoes Forever |
Alkaline earth metals | Beryllium Magnesium Calcium Strontium Barium Radium | Brave Men Can Swim By the River |
Chalcogens | Oxygen Sulfur Selenium Tellurium Polonium Livermorium | Fifty Clowns Began Imitating Aunt Tammy |
Halogens | Fluorine Chlorine Bromine Iodine Astatine Tennessine | Fifty Clowns Began Imitating Aunt Tammy |
Prefixes for naming carbon chains | 1 Meth 2 Eth 3 Prop 4 But | Mike Enjoys Playing Basketball |
Aromatic substituent prefixes | Ortho Meta Para | Off to Miami Party |
Click here to learn more MCAT Chemistry Mnemonics.
MCAT Physics Mnemonics
Topics | Sub-topics | Mnemonics |
|---|---|---|
Ideal Gas law | PV = nRT | Pure Vinegar Needs Raw Tomatoes |
Gibbs's free energy formula | Δ G = Δ H – T Δ S | Grandma Hates To Swim |
Ohm’s law | Volts = Amps x Resistance | Vegetables Are Raw |
Relation between resistivity and resistance | Resistance = ρ (Length/Area) | Rude People Likes Arrogance |
Sequence of decreasing wavelength or increasing frequency of electromagnetic waves | Radio waves Microwaves Infrared Visible light Ultraviolet X-Rays Gamma Rays | Raging Martians Invaded Venus Using X-ray Guns |
Order of increasing wavelength | Gamma Rays X-Rays Ultraviolet Visible light Infrared Microwaves Radio waves | Good Xylophones Use Very Impressive Musical Rhythms |
Prefixes of the metric system | Kilo Hector Deca Base Deci Centi Milli | King Henry Died Because of Drinking Chocolate Milk |
Levels of the atmosphere | Troposphere Stratosphere Mesosphere Thermosphere Exosphere | The Silly Monkeys Twirled Endlessly |
Click here to learn more MCAT Physics Mnemonics.
MCAT Psychology Mnemonics
Topics | Sub-topics | Mnemonics |
|---|---|---|
Kubler-Ross stages of grief | Denial Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance | Did Anyone Bring Dad’s Apple’s? |
Types of reinforcement | Positive Negative Primary Conditional | Poor Nick Picks Carrots |
Theories of personality | Psychoanalytic Humanistic Trait Behaviorism Social/Cognitive | Phones Have To Be Switched off |
Most common mental and psychiatric disorders | Depression Anxiety Bipolar Disorder Phobia Autism Schizophrenia | Did Anyone Buy Papa A Spinach? |
Four primary factors for motivation | Instincts Needs Drives Arousal | I’m Not Driving Anywhere |
Components of general adaptation syndrome | Exhaustion Alarm Resistance | E A R |
Sequential order of brain waves | Beta Alpha Theta Delta | BATs Drink blood. |
Four primary stimuli | Chemical Pressure Light Temperature | Calm People Like Thinking |
Universal emotions | Surprise Anger Disgust Fear Sadness Happiness | SAD FiSH |
Physiological markers of emotions | Changes in: Blood pressure Temperature Respiration rate Adrenaline Pulse | B - TRAP |
Click here for more MCAT Psychology Mnemonics.
MCAT Sociology Mnemonics
Topics | Sub-topics | Mnemonics |
|---|---|---|
Different types of identities | Race/Ethnicity Gender Politics Religion Age Sexual Orientation Class | Rocky Goes Playing Rugby Always Since College |
Types of social norms | Proscriptive Subjective Prescriptive Injunctive Descriptive | Peter Saves People In Despair |
Elements of culture | Artifacts Values Language Economy Norms Symbols Society | Aunt Vicky Loves Eating Noodles every Saturday and Sunday |
Factors of globalization | Economy Industrial Organization Historical Technology Financial Politics | Every Individual Has Talent and Full Potential |
Characteristics of an ideal bureaucracy | Well-trained Employees Impartiality Division of Labor Formalized Rules Hierarchy of Organization | Will Insanely Drove For Hours |
Types of non-verbal communication | Body Language Gestures Posture Facial Expressions Eye Contact | Eight Billy Goats Feeding Properly |
Click here to learn more MCAT Sociology Mnemonics.
How To Make Your Own MCAT Mnemonics?
Mnemonics are a great tool to use during the MCAT, but just how do you go about making them?
Well if you're looking for a quick guide on how you can start making some easy and effective mnemonics to help you in your MCAT prep, check out her video below!'
Music: Pick a popular song, tune, or nursery rhyme such as hot cross buns or ABCS. Music mnemonics work best with long lists such as remembering your scientific elements.
Name: These work best with shorter lists. For example, Fluorine, Oxygen and Nitrogen are the three electronegative atoms important in hydrogen bonding. To remember this, you would create the name - FON.
Expression/Word: Try using the letters of the short list of words you need to memorize to make a ridiculous phrase or word to help have everything stick in your memory! An example is "SAME DAVE" for the nerve fibers and their associated location on the spinal cord - Sensory Afferent, Motor Efferent, Dorsal Afferent, Ventral Efferent.
Your mentors at MCAT mastery have developed their own mnemonics to use when studying for the MCAT exam, Check out some of our MCAT biology mnemonics here!
While it may take more time than using someone else's, it's always more effective when you make your own mnemonics!
How Can I Best Utilize Mnemonics for the MCAT?
You can improve your memory by creating MCAT mnemonics. Without it, you might have to spend more time trying to remember crucial details.
Mnemonics aid in memory retention and speed up test-taking, which will both help you earn a competitive MCAT score.
Below are some tips to help you best utilize MCAT mnemonics.
Additional FAQs – MCAT Mnemonics Guide
What is the Easiest Way to Remember Mnemonics?
Furthermore, we recommend that you add a personal touch when creating your own mnemonics, like using your family’s and friends’ names. Incorporate titles of your favorite songs and movies.
To help you achieve your goal MCAT score, we take turns hosting these 
