What is the best way to study for medical terminology exams?

Answer 1

The best way to study medical terminology (or any other terminology) is to use the Index Card Method. This is a great technique that does not cost much, can be used at any time and any place, and really helps you to learn those terms!

1. Write each term on one side of an index card.

2. Write the definition on the back of the card.

3. Keep the cards with you all the time, and read through them every time you have a few free minutes (while waiting in a queue, riding the bus, or during meals)

4. If you know the definition of a term, turn that card over and place it at the back of the stack of cards.

5. If you do not know the definition of a term, look at the correct definition and take a few moments to think about it, then place that card somewhere in the middle of the stack so that it will come up again before you are finished.

6. When all the cards are turned over, you have learned all the terms!

Dr JC: I've got a variation on that - dictate into your iPod each of terms, then pause then give the definition. When you're walking jogging or cycling listen to the iPod and speak the definition before the correct answer is given. Quicker and more portable than writing it down

Dwat24: I would use flash cards/index cards as well. I would write the combining form, prefix, sufix or term on one side and the other side be for the definition. If you have multiple medical terms for other chapters i would color code them. For example: green flash cards are for chapter: 3 or Yellow Flash cards are for prefix,sufix or combining form ect. When studying or practicing with the flashcards i would buy a candle or a sent that you like. I use vanilla. And study to that sent and on the day of the test buy lotion, perfume, cologne, chapstick or any kind of sent mechanism that is the same sent you use to study with. Why use a sent to study with? Research shows that when you use a certain sent to remember things by, that when you smell it you can remember those things because it triggers a spot in your brain. We use this in our medical terminology class and my teacher knows a lot about the brain so on test days she lights a vanilla candle and on our way to class we can smell it in the hallways. This is a great way to study other things too!

There is also the methood of figuring out what a word means by remebering a limric or phrase. Example: "Apocrine glands are controlled hormonally. So, Apollo was always hormonal in the eyes of Zeus." Something like that. That's how I study.

With the technology we have nowadays, you can easily go online and get a lot of free review and training programs for your medical terminology exams. Ensure that you know the etymology of those medical words so if ever you forget them, you would know how to remember them (like those in spelling bee competition)