Sketchy PA vs Picmonic for PA School
Which is the more effective, more affordable Physician Assistant school study resource? We dive into the nitty-gritty of Picmonic vs Sketchy PA to help you choose your perfect study partner. Pass PANCE, guaranteed*.
Why Visual Learners Choose Picmonic PA Over Sketchy PA
PA Students: Passing the PANCE
Luckily, there are things you can do to make passing the PANCE without having a panic attack a reality. Read on for tips that will help you stay calm before, during, and after the PANCE.
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How to Study for the PANCE Exam and Pass
Ready to PANCE study the night away? You’re in the right place. The PANCE is a long, challenging exam for future physician assistants, but passing it with flying colors is a feeling like no other. Create your PANCE study timeline, get some study tips, and get all the deets you need for the exam below!
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Why Do Mnemonics Work? It’s Science.
Wacky characters with word-play associations may seem like a silly way to remember important concepts, but the fact is that mnemonics work—it’s science.
Read more >Comparing Picmonic PA to Sketchy PA
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Sketchy PA | |
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| Price | ||
| Price | $203.88/yr | $350/yr |
| CONTENT | ||
| Videos / Topics | ||
| Videos / Topics | 1,800+ | 415+ |
| Quiz Questions | ||
| Quiz Questions | 21,000+ | 5600+ |
| Benefits | ||
| Avg. Video Length | ||
| Avg. Video Length | 2-3 mins | 10-30 mins |
| Definitions | ||
| Definitions |
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| Topic Summaries | ||
| Topic Summaries |
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| Daily Quiz with Spaced Repetition | ||
| Daily Quiz with Spaced Repetition |
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| Study Scheduler | ||
| Study Scheduler |
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| Custom Playlists | ||
| Custom Playlists |
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| Follow pg-by-pg w/ Popular Books | ||
| Follow pg-by-pg w/ Popular Books |
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| Real Images & Video | ||
| Real Images & Video |
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| Board Style Questions | ||
| Board Style Questions |
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| Flashcards | ||
| Flashcards |
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| Customize & Share Content | ||
| Customize & Share Content |
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| Study Guides / Workbooks | ||
| Study Guides / Workbooks |
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| Webinar Videos | ||
| Webinar Videos |
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| Academic Infographics | ||
| Academic Infographics |
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| Integrated with Other Study Aids | ||
| Integrated with Other Study Aids |
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| Anki Integration | ||
| Anki Integration |
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| LMS Integration | ||
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| Student Engagement Tracking | ||
| Student Engagement Tracking |
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| Educator Dashboard | ||
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| Mobile Apps | ||
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| Validated by Published Research | ||
| Validated by Published Research |
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| Last Updated 04/2025 |
Choosing between Picmonic and Sketchy for your PA study resource is not an easy task. Both are suited for visual learners, but Picmonic’s animations are dynamic and captivating and it does a great job at using visuals to explain concepts. Sketchy PA on the other hand, uses doodles instead of animations and text to provide explanations.Â
While both platforms are similar, their strengths differ. We compare both Physician Assistant resources on a variety of factors including content coverage, number of quizzes/questions, ability to customize content, add-ons, mobile apps and more!
Save More Than $500 With Picmonic For PA
With more than 1,800 two- to three-minute video mnemonics and 12,000+ quiz questions, you’ll boost retention and pass the PANCE or PANRE, while saving time and money! A subscription to Sketchy PA costs about $900 ($550 for 24 months + $350 for 12 months) over the three years of Physician Assistant school. For the most comprehensive and effective coverage of PANCE topics, three years of access to Picmonic for PA will only cost you $365 and will save you more than $500.
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Sketchy |
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Picmonic for Physician Assistant $203.88/year |
Sketchy for Physician Assistant $350/year |
| Last Updated 04/2025 |
Picmonic for Physician Assistants is Different
Picmonic is the only visual learning resource for PANCE and PANRE with powerful creator tools students can use to create the perfect study resource — just for them. Personalization isn’t something offered by other resources such as Sketchy PA. Add facts, characters, images, and videos. Customization also helps with retention, and can become an integral part of your PA school study routine.
Nearly 2 Million Healthcare Students Served
Picmonic is the toolkit of choice for Physician Assistant students who want to master hard-to-learn topics and retain what they study 331% longer by harnessing the power of picture mnemonics and spaced repetition (that basically means daily quizzes).
Picmonic has helped make Physician Assistant school understandable and it has helped the information be more digestible. My average grade has gone up 7%, and I regularly use information gathered on this app to help others learn, and even to correct outdated information in powerpoints. I would HIGHLY recommend this for anyone who is an audio-visual learner, or for anyone who is an active person who likes to study on the go.
I love Picmonic. I admit the silly pictures made me skeptical at first, but if you truly commit, Picmonic will help you shine by crushing tests and impressing the attending on your clinical rotations! Commit!!
Picmonic is hands down my favorite study tool for PA school! Not only has it helped me to retain a ton of information during my didactic year of school, but it has done so in a way that doesn’t even feel like I’m studying. I love the fact that they have such a wide variety of topics that neatly align with the PANCE blueprint as well. Picmonic definitely helped me maintain a high GPA so far during PA school, and I’d recommend it to anyone else going into PA school or a similar health care career pathway!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sketchy PA?
Sketchy PA is a picture mnemonic visual resource featuring videos for Microbiology, Pharmacology, Systems, Surgery, Nutrition, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pediatrics. Sketchy PA is used as a study resource for PANCE. Each video they provide has someone drawing out a sketch that tells a story. The story relates to facts about a certain topic and uses word associations along with visual cues to help students more easily recall those specific facts.
Is Sketchy PA worth it?
Topics covered by Sketchy PA are discussed in deep detail. Comprehensive treatment of specific topics can be a replacement for lectures, or used as a supplement if you’re not one of those Physician Assistant students who don’t absorb the facts through lectures alone.
How long is the Sketchy PA free trial?
The Sketchy free trial period is 7 days. After which you’ll be asked to sign up for a paid subscription to Sketchy PA.
Is Sketchy PA enough for PANCE?
Sketchy PA features 415+ lessons covering micro, pharm, systems, surgery, nutrition, Ob/Gyn, and peds. Your subscription to Sketchy PA also includes 415+ review cards, and is considered a PA school and PANCE study companion. Sketchy PA can be a strong foundation for PANCE preparation, but it’s not a one-stop solution.
Does Sketchy have a mobile study app?
No, Sketchy doesn’t offer a mobile study app for PA students. Picmonic offers a PA mobile study app you can download for iOS and Android, to enable on-the-go studying — even when you don’t have an internet connection.
What is the Sketchy Method?
According to the Sketchy.com website, the Sketchy Method is based on an ancient Greek memory technique called the “Method of Loci.” This method exploits the power of spatial learning to connect memories with specific objects placed in an imagined physical space.
What is Picmonic?
Picmonic is a picture mnemonic visual resource that’s research proven to increase retention 331% and increase test scores 50%. With 1,800+ video mnemonics, Picmonic covers many of the hardest to remember, high-yield subjects, topics, and facts frequently tested in classes and on the PANCE or PANRE. Each 2-3 min video provides a succinct review of facts for easier, faster, and more effective review throughout medical school and while studying for your PA boards.
Should I use Sketchy and Picmonic together?
Many Physician Assistant students who use Sketchy also use Picmonic to cover the topics Sketchy doesn’t cover.
What does Sketchy Medical cost?
A 12-month subscription costs $350 for Sketchy PA. A 24-month Sketchy PA subscription costs $550. Theoretically, you could spend up to $900 on Sketchy PA through your three years of PA school and studying for the board exams.
Does Sketchy have an Anki Add-On?
While Sketchy doesn’t have an Anki Add-On, Sketchy PA does offer 415+ review cards. But, Picmonic offers an Anki Add-On! Be sure to download the Picmonic Add-On from your desktop app.
Does Sketchy offer other products?
In addition to the Sketchy PA product, Sketchy products include Sketchy Medical, Sketchy Nursing, Sketchy Pharmacy, and Sketchy MCAT.
By the Numbers
Nearly 2 million healthcare students have used Picmonic to study in nursing school and ace board/certification exams on their way to becoming successful nursing professionals.
1.9M Students
100 Countries
80K High-Yield Facts
*Pass PANCE, guaranteed. Start using Picmonic in your first year. If you do not pass we’ll hook you up with a full refund or double the length of your access free.
