Picmonic for Medicine vs SketchyMedical

Better than flashcards

Med Student Study Tools to Ace Exams (including USMLE® Step 1 & 2 and COMLEX):

A Side-by-Side Comparison

Med students, if you are looking for a robust picture mnemonic study aid to increase knowledge retention and improve test scores from Day 1 of medical school through USMLE® Step exams, Picmonic and SketchyMedical are two amazing mnemonic-based med student resources.

Your time is valuable. You don't want to invest time in a study tool or app that doesn't help you achieve your goal of a dream USMLE® Step score. It's important to carefully evaluate the exam study tools you choose, so you know how they stack up.

But, have no fear, we've done the hard work for you! Take a look at Picmonic vs. SketchyMedical to see how they compare as USMLE® Step study tools!

Learn more about Picmonic and Sketchy, and choose the retention-building tool that's right for you.

Content Coverage

  Picmonic® SketchyMedical®
Library coverage
  • MS 1
  • MS 2
  • MS 3
  • USMLE® Step 1
  • USMLE® Step 2
  • MS 1
  • MS 2
  • USMLE® Step 1
  • USMLE® Step 2
# of videos

1,300+

500+

Courses covered

Micro

Pharm

Path

Biochem

Physiology

Behavioral & Psychiatry

Anatomy & Embryology

Dermatology

Epidemiology

Internal Medicine

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Pediatrics

Surgery

# of Videos

260+

325+

900+

150+

120+

150+

100+

50+

15+

880+

140+

220+

95+

# of Videos

105+

100+

150+

55+

0

0

0

0

0

120+ (separate product)

25+

55+

50+

Body Systems covered

Cardiovascular

Endocrine

Gastrointestinal

Genitourinary (Renal)

Hematologic

Immune System & Oncology

Integumentary

Musculoskeletal

Nervous

Reproductive

Respiratory

# of Videos

120+

75+

90+

55+

110+

65+

30+

80+

220+

105+

60+

# of Videos

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Additional academic info
  • Definitions
  • Topic Summaries
  • Multimedia Resources
  • Fact linked to Wikipedia / Google Images
  • Integrations with companion content, like Osmosis
  • Definitions
Content discovery
  • Search bar
  • Playlists
  • Content mapped to pre-defined Courses/Body systems & popular books like First Aid for the USMLE®
  • Content mapped to pre-defined chapters
Community additions Yes

  • Access to community added facts, resources, and flashcards
No
Content revision process
  • Frequently updated based on Community Feedback
  • Access prior versions of videos after major changes
  • Updates unknown (website contains no information pertaining to updates)
Learning Methodology

Learning Methodology

  Picmonic® SketchyMedical®
Efficient way to memorize a topic’s most important facts, with some context, in under 5 minutes each. Broad library and includes quizzing, Spaced Repetition, real medical imagery, and create your own images. Detailed information while illustrating an image of memory anchors. Videos are up to 30 minutes each.
 
Example topic: NSAIDs Example Picmonic Image

2 minute video

Example Sketchy Image

34 minute video

 
Learning design
  1. Play Video
  2. Review
  3. Quiz
  4. Spaced Repetition
  1. Play Video
  2. Review
Mnemonic Videos to help you learn and retain difficult to know topics Yes Yes

Both utilize:

  • Recurring symbols
  • Concept grouping
Avg time per video

2 - 3 minutes

10 - 30 minutes

Audio speed controls Yes Yes
Assessment & Progress Tracking

Assessment & Progress Tracking

Low stakes testing and spaced repetition helps increase retention as you study.
  Picmonic® SketchyMedical®
Spaced Repetition Yes No
Quizzing Yes

  • 16,000+ multiple choice review questions
Yes

  • 3,600+ multiple choice review questions
Track your progress Yes

Tracked by:

  • fact
  • topic
  • category
  • course
Yes

Tracked by:

  • topic
  • chapter
Customize or Edit Your Content

Customize or Edit Your Content

Allows tailoring of the content to meet your needs.
  Picmonic® SketchyMedical®
Add a fact or character to a video Yes No
Create your own audiovisual flashcard from scratch Yes No
Mobile On-the-Go and Offline Learning

Mobile On-the-Go and Offline Learning

  Picmonic® SketchyMedical®
Android and iOS apps Yes

  • Offline Access (Gym Mode)
No

  • Mobile web browser only
Paper versions Yes

  • Printable mnemonic images
  • Workbooks available
  • 6 months to USMLE Step 1
Yes

  • Workbooks available ($35.99 each, for Micro, Pharm, & $42.99 for Path)
Ease of Use

Ease of Use

  Picmonic® SketchyMedical®
Concept mapping Yes

  • Related videos linked
No
Playlists Yes

  • Create, customize & share
No
Note taking Yes No
Community discussion boards Yes No
Audio transcripts Yes No
Research Proven

Research Proven

  Picmonic® SketchyMedical®
Validated by science Yes

IRB approved research study *Pubmed link
No
Pass the Boards Guarantee Yes No
Pricing

Pricing

  Picmonic® SketchyMedical®
Current 12 month price

$179.88

$399.99

Monthly breakdown

$14.99 / month

$33.33 / month

Free trial available Yes

Sign up here

Yes

Sign up here

*Picmonic is a registered mark of Picmonic, Inc. 2012
*SketchyMedical is a registered mark of Sketchy Group LLC 2013

Learn more about Picmonic and Sketchy, and choose the retention-building tool that's right for you.

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