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Computer Aided Design (CAD) software can be difficult to learn. Past research has not investigated how the selection of symbols used to represent CAD operations affects a new user’s ability to learn CAD concepts. In this paper, we explore how symbol choice impacts short-term recall as measured by accuracy and response time. We performed an initial study to identify what 2D symbols users draw to perform common CAD operations. This study identified common symbols for five CAD operations and highlighted differences between symbols drawn by inexperienced and experienced CAD users. Then, we conducted a second study with three groups using different input methods: selecting Autodesk Inventor CAD operation icons, selecting 2D symbols derived from the first study, and physically drawing those same symbols. There is not a statistically significant difference between the three groups’ average question accuracy. For time taken to submit responses, the group selecting Autodesk icons was lowest, followed by the group selecting the symbols, and then the group drawing the symbols. Additionally, the group drawing the symbols had a greater improvement in response time compared to the group selecting Autodesk icons. Other differences between groups were not found to be statistically significant. The results from our second study suggest a negative correlation between our set of user-created symbols and response time, and the potential for further research on other symbols from our first study.