How to Use Anki for the MCAT: A Beginner's Guide

Anki is one of the most powerful tools you can use to prepare for the MCAT. It’s not magic, but when used right, it can feel like it. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started—no fluff, just the essentials.

Why Use Anki for MCAT Prep?

Anki uses spaced repetition, which means it shows you information just before you’re about to forget it. This is key for the MCAT because you’ll need to remember a ton of content over months of studying. Anki keeps your memory fresh without burning you out.

Step 1: Download Anki

Head to apps.ankiweb.net and download the free desktop app. There’s a mobile version too, but start with desktop—it’s easier to learn the basics.

Step 2: Learn the Basics

Anki works on two things: notes and cards.

• A note is where you enter the content (like a question and answer).
• A card is what Anki generates from that note—it’s what you’ll review.

Start with the basic “Front and Back” card type. For example:

• Front: What enzyme breaks down starch in the mouth?
• Back: Salivary amylase

Simple, right? But effective.

Step 3: Make Your Own Cards (Seriously, Do It)

We highly recommend making your own flashcards. Here’s why:

• You remember things better when you create them.
• You can phrase things the way you understand them.
• You can focus on your weak areas.

When should you make cards? Right after reviewing content—lectures, videos, passages, whatever. If you find yourself thinking, “Hmm, I’ll probably forget that,” make a card for it.

Step 4: Keep Cards Simple and Clear

Good cards are short and specific. Avoid dumping a paragraph onto the back of a card. If you need more than one sentence to explain something, split it into multiple cards.

Bad card:

• Front: What are the steps of glycolysis?
• Back: (Lists all 10 steps)

Better card:

• Front: What enzyme catalyzes the first step of glycolysis?
• Back: Hexokinase

Break down big processes into bite-sized cards.

Step 5: Use Tags to Stay Organized

Tags help you search and filter your cards later. You might tag cards by subject (e.g. #bio, #chem) or by chapter/module (e.g. #kaplan-ch3). It’s optional, but helpful as your collection grows.

Step 6: Understand How Anki’s Rating System Works

When you review a card, Anki gives you a few rating options:

• Again – You forgot it. The card comes back in a minute or so.
• Hard – You kind of remembered it. It’ll show up again sooner.
• Good – You got it. The card comes back later.
• Easy – You crushed it. The card comes back much later.

Don’t overthink this. Be honest with yourself. The goal isn’t to game the system—it’s to help your brain learn when to recall the info. If you always hit “Easy,” you might forget stuff long term. “Good” is usually the sweet spot.

Also: if you miss a day or two, don’t panic. You can catch up. Anki is meant to work with you, not stress you out.

Step 7: Stick to Daily Reviews

The real power of Anki comes from consistency. You’ll see new cards and review old ones each day. Try not to skip—falling behind in Anki is like letting laundry pile up. It just gets harder to catch up.

Set aside 30–60 minutes per day for reviews. You can do more if you’ve got time, but don’t burn yourself out. Anki is a long game.

Step 8: Supplement with Prebuilt Decks (If You Want)

While we recommend making your own cards, it’s totally okay to use prebuilt decks to save time—just don’t rely on them blindly. Use them to:

• Fill in gaps
• Get inspiration for your own cards
• Review high-yield info

We’ll cover our favorite prebuilt decks in a separate post, so stay tuned.

Final Tips

• Don’t cram with Anki. It’s for long-term retention, not last-minute review.
• Use images, mnemonics, and color when helpful.
• Don’t aim for perfection. Your cards don’t need to be pretty—just useful.
• It’s okay to feel overwhelmed at first. Anki has a learning curve, but once you get into a rhythm, it becomes second nature.

You Got This

Using Anki can feel overwhelming at first, but it gets easier fast. Start small, stay consistent, and trust the process. The MCAT is a beast, but spaced repetition is your secret weapon.

Happy studying!