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Memory questions on the MCAT are exactly what they sound like: They test your knowledge about a specific fact or concept. While memory questions are typically found as free-standing questions, they can also be tucked into a passage and represent 25% of science questions on the MCAT.
But don’t worry! Aside from requiring memorization, these questions do not generally cause problems for students because they are similar to the types of questions that would appear on a typical college science exam.
What Should I Memorize?
Mastery of the basics and the ability to apply those concepts to unfamiliar situations is what will sustain you on the MCAT. But if you’re stressing about what MCAT formulas to memorize, here is a short list of rules and equations collected by our MCAT test experts. This is by no means a definitive list but rather a sampling to jump start your prep.
And remember, it's more about application of knowledge, than straight up memorization of knowledge.
Chemistry
Physics/Math
Organic Chemistry
recognizing and naming of organic functional groups using IUPAC nomenclature
CIP rules for assigning absolute configuration (R/S)
separation techniques, notably chromatography
principles of spectroscopy techniques, notably IR and 1H-NMR
There is no specific “trick” to answering memory questions. Either you know the answer or you don’t. If you find that you are missing a fair number of memory questions on your MCAT practice tests, it is a sure sign that you don’t know the content well enough. Go back and review.
MCAT Memorization Strategies
Mnemonics
Mnemonic devices are patterns (series of letters, the tune of your favorite song) that help you memorize. For example, some people remember the definitions of the sine, cosine, and tangent of an acute angle in a right triangle by this mnemonic: SOH CAH TOA. The letters stand for the following: Sine = Opp/Hyp, Cosine = Adj/Hyp, Tangent = Opp/Adj.
Memory Palace
This mnemonic device involves imagining that you are moving through a familiar route or place, such as the rooms of your childhood home, and at various stops along the way leaving a visual representation of a topic you want to remember. To recall the info you need, simply imagine walking through your “palace.” We’ve heard of students using this technique for everything from the steps of the Krebs cycle to the parts of the cell.
Outlines
The act of writing something down goes a long way toward committing it to memory. Plus, concise and colorful one-page outlines are great study aids.
A Note About MCAT Flashcards
Flashcards can be beneficial if your basic content knowledge is deficient in some area. However, remember that the most challenging aspect of the MCAT is not that it requires you to memorize the fine details of content knowledge, but that it requires you to apply your basic scientific knowledge to unfamiliar situations, and flashcards alone will not help you there. If you choose to use flashcards, make sure to incorporate plenty of practice passages and full-length practice tests to round out your preparation.
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