NEET UG 2024: Importance of mnemonics

While creating mnemonics, students are actively engaged with the material that enhances their understanding and retention.

Research has proven that students who regularly use mnemonic devices get increased test scores (Express Photo/Representative Image)

— Rohit Gupta

Mnemonics are memory devices that help learners recall larger pieces of information, especially in the form of lists like characteristics, steps, stages, parts, etc. Researchers found that students who regularly used mnemonic devices increased test scores up to 77 per cent. As NEET UG is in a week, let us delve into some mnemonics to ease the preparation.

We all are learning the elements of the periodic table with the help of mnemonics like HLiNa Ki RbinaCsFriendship.
Various types of mnemonics are available, limited only by the creativity of individual learners. This handout outlines nine fundamental types – music, name, word, model, rhyme, note organisation, image, connection and spelling mnemonics.

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Read | NEET UG 2024: How to retain better, practice questions and learn NCERT?

Enhanced ability to retain concepts: Mnemonics help encode information in your long-term memory by creating associations with existing knowledge or familiar concepts. By linking new information to something you already know, you can remember it more easily during the exam.

Like: “Work makes me Mad”; Work=MaD (Mass x acceleration x Displacement)

Simplify complex lengthy concepts: NEET UG exams often require you to understand and recall complex scientific concepts. Mnemonics break down these concepts into simpler, more digestible chunks, making them easier to grasp and remember.

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Complex Concept: DNA Replication
“REP DNA”
Replication Fork Formation
Elongation of DNA Strands
Proofreading and Repair
DNA Polymerase Activity
Nucleotide Addition

Ability to recall concepts quickly: Mnemonics provide quick cues or triggers that allow you to recall information rapidly during the exam. Instead of trying to remember a lengthy list of facts, you can rely on mnemonic devices to retrieve the information effortlessly.
Mnemonics for Group 1 (Alkali Metals)

“Lina Kare Rab Se Fariyad.”

“Little Naughty Kids Rub Cats Fur”

Elements: Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr (Lithium, Sodium, Potassium, Rubidium, Caesium, Francium)

Creative and effective learning technique: Creating mnemonics involves active engagement with the material, which enhances your understanding and retention. The process of inventing mnemonic encourages creativity and critical thinking, making your study sessions more enjoyable and effective.

“I Prefer Milk And Tea”

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To remember stages of cell cycle and cell division in Sequence – Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase.

Long-term sustainability: The benefits of using mnemonics extend beyond NEET UG. Once you have mastered the art of mnemonic encoding, you can apply it to other areas of study and even in daily life, improving your memory and cognitive abilities.

To remember planets from closest to furthest from the sun

“My very excited mother just served us nine pies”

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto

[The author is the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) at Physics Wallah]

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