How to Stay Focused During Long MCAT Study Sessions
Let’s be real—prepping for the MCAT isn’t just about understanding content, it’s about surviving the grind. Whether you're in the middle of a 4-hour review block or trying to stay awake through CARS practice, staying focused is half the battle. Today, we’ll share 7 science-backed focus hacks designed to help you study longer, smarter, and with fewer mental crashes—plus how King of the Curve makes it easier.
Bohr vs. Quantum Mechanical Model: What MCAT Test-Takers Need to Know
It’s easy to get lost in the orbitals, particles, and probabilities of atomic theory—but on the MCAT, clarity is power. Today’s high-yield chemistry concept focuses on the evolution of atomic models, from the Bohr model to the quantum mechanical model. With King of the Curve’s visual as your guide, this blog will help you master this MCAT must-know topic.
Hyponatremia on the USMLE: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Master It for Step 1 & Step 2
You’re reviewing labs and see a sodium level of 122 mmol/L—cue exam alert! Hyponatremia, or low serum sodium, is a deceptively simple yet highly testable condition on both Step 1 and Step 2 CK.
In this blog, we’ll walk through the mechanisms, major causes, and classic clinical presentations of hyponatremia—and show you how to dominate questions with a King of the Curve visual aid.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: What Nursing Students Must Know for the NCLEX
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition with high clinical relevance, especially in musculoskeletal and neuro exam sections of the NCLEX. It involves compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel of the wrist—often due to overuse, repetitive motion, or systemic conditions like pregnancy and diabetes.
How to Tackle the Hardest Organic Chemistry Questions on the DAT
Organic Chemistry on the DAT isn’t just about memorizing reactions—it’s about understanding how molecules behave. And when it comes to the toughest questions, it’s often the reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, and spectroscopy that trip students up.
How to Decode Lab Values for the USMLE and Clinical Rotations
Think lab values don’t matter on the MCAT? Think again. While the MCAT won’t hand you a full CBC and ask for a diagnosis, it will test your ability to understand physiological processes, abnormal values, and real-world application of blood tests. Knowing lab values isn’t just for med school—it's a tool for critical thinking under pressure, and it’s showing up more often in passage-based questions.
Cardiac Electrophysiology: Mastering the ECG for the NCLEX
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) interpretation is a foundational skill for nurses, especially when caring for cardiac patients. For the NCLEX, you’ll be expected to understand the waves, intervals, and segments of the ECG—and what they reveal about a patient’s heart.
Associative Learning on the MCAT: Why It Matters and How to Master It
If you're prepping for the MCAT, you already know that psychology and sociology concepts aren't just vocabulary—they're tested in complex passage-based formats. One of the foundational concepts that unlocks an entire category of test questions is associative learning.
With today’s King of the Curve visual, we’ll simplify this concept and show you exactly how it applies to MCAT behavioral science questions.
Beta Blockers – High-Yield Clinical Applications and Exam Traps
If you’ve ever been tricked by a Step 1 question where a patient gets hypotensive and bradycardic after taking a “-lol” drug—you’re not alone. Beta blockers are USMLE classics, and for good reason: they tie together pharmacology, cardiovascular physiology, and clinical judgment.
Today’s post breaks down the essentials of beta blockers, how they show up on the USMLE, and how to avoid the common traps—using a KOTC visual that maps beta selectivity and clinical uses.
Acid-Base Chemistry – Mastering pH, pKa, and Buffers for the DAT
Acid-base chemistry might feel straightforward at first—until you're knee-deep in pKa tables, confusing buffer calculations, and weirdly worded DAT questions. Sound familiar?
This guide will help you decode the acid-base section on the DAT using simplified breakdowns, key strategies, and King of the Curve’s powerful visuals. Let’s turn this tricky topic into one of your strongest!
Anki vs. Traditional Studying: What Works Best for Med Students?
If you're in med school or prepping for the MCAT/USMLE, you've definitely heard of Anki. It's the flashcard app that’s taken over med student study culture. But is it really better than handwritten notes or rereading your textbook? Today, we’re breaking down the science of studying, how different methods stack up, and where King of the Curve fits into your long-term memory strategy.
Mastering Ascribed vs Achieved Status for the MCAT: A High-Yield Sociology Topic
Not all MCAT challenges come from biochemistry or physics—some of the sneakiest questions hide in the Sociology & Psychology section. One classic concept that trips up test-takers? Ascribed vs Achieved Status. This is where King of the Curve’s signature visuals can turn memorization into real understanding. Let’s break down this high-yield topic and how it shows up in MCAT-style passages.
The Rule of Nines Every Nursing Student Needs for the NCLEX
When seconds count, accurate burn assessment can be the difference between life-saving care and missed priorities. That’s why Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) is such a high-yield topic on the NCLEX. It’s part of trauma protocols, fluid resuscitation, and emergency triage—and it’s a concept every nursing student needs to understand before test day.
Let’s break it down with a visual you’ll never forget.
Cytokine Storms & Immune Dysregulation – What Step 1 Wants You to Know
The term “cytokine storm” exploded into public awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic—but it’s been a favorite on USMLE exams for years. Whether it’s sepsis, autoimmune disorders, or viral infections, understanding cytokine-mediated immune dysregulation can help you nail immunology questions on both Step 1 and Step 2.
In this blog, we’ll break down how cytokine storms work, when to expect them on the USMLE, and how to master the concept using a powerful KOTC science visual.
Why Archimedes’ Principle is a Must-Know for the MCAT
Understand Archimedes’ Principle and how it appears on the MCAT and DAT. Learn how buoyant force relates to displaced fluid and see how King of the Curve visuals simplify complex concepts.
Normal vs. Cirrhotic Liver: What Every Nursing Student Needs to Know for the NCLEX
Liver cirrhosis is more than just a chronic disease—it's a high-yield NCLEX topic that intersects with pathophysiology, pharmacology, and nursing interventions. Whether you’re studying GI disorders or prepping for questions on impaired metabolism, understanding the visual and clinical differences between a normal liver and a cirrhotic liver is a must-know for every nursing student.
Psych/Soc on the MCAT: Must-Know Theories & Terms for a Higher Score
The Psychology/Sociology section on the MCAT is often underestimated—until you realize it makes up 25% of your total score. With a strong foundation in key theories and terms, this section can become a score-booster. Today, we're breaking down the must-know Psych/Soc content, plus how to recognize these concepts in MCAT-style passages.
How to Master General Chemistry Stoichiometry for the DAT
If you're preparing for the DAT, you’ve likely hit a wall at least once trying to balance chemical equations or convert between moles and grams. Stoichiometry isn’t just a fundamental chemistry concept—it’s a must-know for test day.
Mastering Renal Physiology – Tackling Acid-Base Disorders
Learn how to confidently approach acid-base disorders on the USMLE. This renal physiology guide includes a powerful visual from King of the Curve and test-day strategies.
MCAT Passage-Based Questions: The Best Approach to Answering Them
The MCAT isn’t just about content recall—it’s about applying knowledge in a passage-based format that mimics real research and clinical scenarios. These questions make up the majority of the exam, and mastering them is crucial to a high score. Here’s how to effectively approach MCAT passage-based questions using insights and tools from King of the Curve (KOTC).