Mnemonics for the Chemistry Section of the MCAT

June 25, 2024

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On the MCAT, chemistry problems can be difficult. They can leave you feeling frustrated since they range from ostensibly difficult arithmetic problems to formulae that you just cannot seem to recall. 

To make it worse, most terms are too technical to remember. But worry no more. That’s what mnemonics are for. 

If you are looking for chemistry mnemonics to help you study and prepare for the MCAT, you have come to the right page. Let’s get started!

What Do I Need to Memorize for the MCAT Chemistry Section?

You will be tested on chemistry (General Chemistry – 30%, Organic Chemistry – 15%) in roughly 50% of your MCAT chemistry/physics section and 10% (General Chemistry – 5%, Organic Chemistry – 5%) of your biology/biochemistry section

In other words, chemistry will be covered by about 29 questions in the chemistry/physics section and 6 in the MCAT bio/biochem section. 

The following are the chemistry topics you should devote yourself to as you prepare for the MCAT. 

General Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

What are Mnemonics?

A mnemonic is a method for helping us recall a lot of information or specific facts. They could be expressed as a rhyme, song, acronym, picture, word, or entire statement. 

When the sequence of events is crucial, mnemonics are very helpful for helping us recall knowledge.

Mnemonic devices can be adjusted to fit a range of subject matters. This technique promotes improved learning retention and aids in recalling difficult words or concepts.

Do Mnemonics Work on the MCAT?

As previously established, the MCAT has two sections that cover topics related to both general chemistry and organic chemistry. Thus, it is important that you remember chemical structures and equations. 

The good news is that because of the way our brains are wired, each of these details (which are kept in long-term memory) may have already been quickly observed and recorded.

It is simpler to recall larger amounts of information when you use mnemonics, especially when the material is provided in lists like qualities, steps, stages, components, phases, etc. 

It can be very helpful to prepare for the chemistry and physics section, as well as the bio and biochem section, which require memorization of a variety of concepts, structures, and words.

How Can I Best Utilize Mnemonics for the MCAT?

You can sharpen your memory by creating mnemonics. Mnemonics can raise your memory retention and test-taking efficiency, both of which will boost your MCAT score.

Here are some pointers for making efficient use of mnemonics.

  • Come up with original mnemonics that capture your individuality. Make sure it is simple to recall.
  • Be unique, outlandish, personal, or any mix of these. It is easier to recall personal and emotional information.
  • Create your own mnemonic instead of utilizing someone else's to increase the likelihood that you will recall them easier. You can do this by thinking about your connections to past experiences, loved ones, or favorite objects.
  • Say your mnemonic loudly in front of others. It is easier to recall a phrase or term when one can hear oneself say it.
  • As part of your regular MCAT preparation, you might use flashcards to help you remember MCAT mnemonics.
  • Include your mnemonics on the list of equations and study aids you can scribble down during the teaching period leading up to the MCAT.

Mnemonics for the Chemistry Section of the MCAT

There is a lot of memorization required for the MCAT's chemistry section. From chemical terms to chemical structures, needless it is to say, your memory skills will be out to the test. 

Mnemonics are a method that has been successful in helping us remember important details and information.

Here are some chemistry (both general and organic) mnemonics to make studying for the exam simpler and easier.

Topics

Sub-topics 

Mnemonic

Sequence of orbitals

k

Sober

Physicists

Don't

Find

Giraffes

Hiding

In

Kitchens

Periodic table – Periods 1-3

Hydrogen

Helium 

Lithium

Beryllium

Boron 

Carbon

Nitrogen 

Oxygen

Fluorine 

Neon

Na (Sodium)

Magnesium

Aluminum

Silicon 

Phosphorous

Sulfur

Chlorine 

Argon 

Hi, 

Here 

Little 

Beatniks 

Brandish 

Countless 

Number 

O

Flick 

kNives 

Nagging 

Meg

Always 

Sighs, 

"Please 

Stop 

Clowning 

Around.”

Periodic table – Period 4

K (Potassium)

Calcium

Scandium

Titanium

Vanadium

Chromium

Manganese

Fe (Iron)

Cobalt 

Nickel 

Cu (Copper)

Zin

Gallium 

Germanium 

Arsenic 

Selenium 

Bromine 

Krypton

Kind

Cats 

Scare 

Tiny 

Vicious 

Creatures, 

Maintaining 

Feline 

Connections 

Nice, 

Cute & 

Zen

Gallium 

Germinates 

As

Selene 

Brings 

Krypton

Periodic table – Period 5

Rubidium

Strontium

Yttrium 

Zirconium

Niobium 

Molybdenum 

Technetium 

Ruthenium 

Rhodium 

Palladium 

Silver (Ag)

Cadmium 

Indium

Tin (Sn)

Antimony (Sb)

Tellurium 

Iodine

Xenon

Ruby,

Sir 

Yells

"Zircon 

Nebulas!". 

Most 

Technicians 

Rule 

Rhodes and 

Paddle 

Against 

Cadence". 

India 

Sen

Sebastian to 

Tell 

"I

Xe.”

 

Noble gases

Helium

Neon

Argon

Krypton

Xenon

Radon

He

Needs

A

Kite,

Xylophone and a

Radio

First transition metals 

Scandium 

Titanium 

Vanadium 

Chromium 

Manganese

Iron (Fe)

Cobalt 

Nickel 

Copper (Cu)

Zin

Scary 

Tiny 

Vicious 

Creatures are 

Mean

Felix

Comes with

Nilo to

Clu

Zen

Second transition metals

Yttrium

Zirconium

Niobium

Molybdenum

Technetium

Ruthenium

Rhodium

Palladium

Silver (Ag)

Cadmium

Yes 

S(Z)ir

Nob

Most 

Technicians 

Ru

Rhod's 

Pale 

Silver 

Cadillac 

Third transition metals

Lanthanum

Hafnium

Tantalum

Tungsten (W)

Rhenium

Osmium

Iridium

Platinum

Gold (Au)

Mercury (Hg)

Late

Harry

Took

Walk

Reached

Office 

In

Pajamas

After an 

Hour

Actinides

Actinium 

Thorium 

Protactinium 

Uranium 

Neptunium 

Plutonium 

Americium 

Curium 

Berkelium 

Californium 

Einsteinium 

Fermium 

Mendelevium 

Nobelium 

Lawrencium

Ace 

Thor 

Protects 

Uranus, 

Neptune, and 

Pluto. 

Amy 

Cured 

Berkeley, 

California. 

Einstein and 

Fermi 

Made 

Noble 

Laws.

Lanthanides

Lanthanum 

Cerium

Praseodymium

Neodymium

Promethium

Samarium

Europium

Gadolinium 

Terbium 

Dysprosium 

Holmium 

Erbium 

Thulium 

Ytterbium 

Lutetium

Lately

Central

Park 

Needed 

Primroses. 

Small

Entire 

Golden 

Tassels 

Dyeing the 

Hollow 

Earth, 

Tempting 

Your 

Love

Alkali metals

Lithium

Sodium (Na)

Potassium (K)

Rubidium

Cesium

Francium

Little 

Naughty 

Kids 

Ruin Bill’s 

Convenient Store 

Forever

Alkaline earth metals

Beryllium

Magnesium

Calcium

Strontium

Barium

Radium

Bearded

Muggers

Came

Straight

Back

Rapidly.

Chalcogens

Oxygen

Sulfur

Selenium

Tellurium

Polonium

Livermorium

Old 

Susan

Sells

Telephones,

Polaroids, and

Lamps. 

Halogens

Fluorine

Chlorine

Bromine

Iodine

Astatine

Tennessine

Funny

Clyde

Brings

Ink

At

Tennis

Properties of elements according to: 

Abundance of elements on the crust of the earth 

Oxygen(O) > Silicon(Si) > Aluminum(Al) > Iron(Fe) > Calcium(Ca) > Sodium (Na) > Potassium(K) > Magnesium (Mg)


*The remainder just contributes 1%.

Only Skillful Athletes In College Sneak Past Midnight

Activity series of metals

Potassium > Sodium > Calcium > Magnesium > Aluminum> (Carbon)* > Zinc > Chromium > Iron> Tin > Lead > (Hydrogen)* > Copper > Mercury > Silver > Gold > Platinum


*Note: Hydrogen and Carbon are non-metals used as a baseline.

Please 

Stop 

Calling 

M

A 

Carless 

Zebra 

Crab 

Instead 

Try 

Learning 

How 

Copper 

Miners 

Save 

Gold 

Pit

Diatomic molecules

Hydrogen

Nitrogen

Oxygen

Fluorine 

Chlorine

Bromine

Iodine

Horses

Need 

Oats

For 

Clear 

Brown 

Eyes (Is) 

Prefixes for naming carbon chains

1 Meth

2 Eth

3 Prop

4 But

Monkeys

Eat

Peeled

Bananas

Aromatic substituent prefixes

Ortho

Meta

Para

Oh

My

Papa

Carboxylic acids

Formic

Acetic

Propionic

Butyric

Valeric

Caproic

Flowers

Are

Perfect,

Beautiful,

Visual, and

Cute. 

Take note that the purpose of these chemistry mnemonics is to aid you in memorizing important ideas for the test. You can always be more creative and modify them to suit your learning style.

Additional FAQs – Mnemonics for the Chemistry Section of the MCAT

How Many Questions About Chemistry are There in the MCAT?

Almost half of the questions in the chemistry and physics section cover chemistry topics. This makes up about 29 (out of 59) questions for this section alone. 

Furthermore, chemistry topics also make up 10% of the bio and biochem section, making it 6 (out of 59) questions.

Am I Allowed to Use a Periodic Table in the MCAT Chemistry?

Yes, you are allowed to use a periodic table on the MCAT. 

You may not need to memorize the atomic number and order of elements for the MCAT, but your background and knowledge about the compositions and properties of the elements are essentially required. 

You also need to have a deeper understanding of the reactions between chemicals and substances. 

Can I Use a Calculator in the MCAT Chemistry?

No, you cannot use a calculator on any of the MCAT sections, not just chemistry and physics. 

You need to practice performing manual math computations. Fortunately, there aren’t a lot of computations for you to do.

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