GRE Flashcards Kaplan: Why Most Students Need More (And The Better Way To Study Faster) – Stop wasting time on generic decks and learn how to actually remember GRE vocab for test day.
GRE flashcards Kaplan give you solid vocab, but no real spaced repetition or personalization. See how Flashrecall fixes that so you actually remember by test...
How Flashrecall app helps you remember faster. It's free
Alright, Let’s Talk About GRE Flashcards Kaplan And What Actually Works
So, you know how GRE flashcards Kaplan are those pre-made decks with vocab and practice questions from Kaplan’s GRE courses? They’re solid for learning words and concepts, but they’re also super generic and don’t adapt to you or how your brain remembers stuff. They give you the content, but not always the most efficient way to review it, especially if you’re short on time. That’s where smarter tools like Flashrecall come in, combining custom flashcards with spaced repetition so you actually remember this stuff by test day instead of cramming and forgetting.
Flashrecall – Study Flashcards on the App Store)
What Kaplan GRE Flashcards Actually Give You
Let’s break down what you’re really getting with Kaplan’s GRE flashcards:
- Pre-made vocab lists – usually high‑frequency GRE words with definitions, example sentences, maybe synonyms.
- Sometimes question-style cards – like fill-in-the-blank or sentence equivalence style examples.
- Printed or app-based – depending on which version you use.
They’re good if:
- You don’t want to think about which words to study.
- You like having something structured and “official.”
- You’re already using Kaplan’s course and want to stick in that ecosystem.
But here’s the issue: the GRE is adaptive and your brain is too. Kaplan’s cards don’t really adapt to how you learn. You just go through the deck over and over and hope it sticks.
The Big Problem With Just Using Kaplan GRE Flashcards
Kaplan gives you content, not necessarily the best system for remembering it.
Typical problems:
1. No real spaced repetition
- You see cards in more or less the same pattern.
- You end up reviewing easy cards as often as the hard ones.
- You waste time on words you already know.
2. Not personalized to your weak spots
- If “obdurate” kills you every time, you should see it more.
- If “benevolent” is burned into your brain, you shouldn’t keep drilling it daily.
- Generic decks don’t adjust to that.
3. Hard to mix Kaplan with your own notes
- You might have tricky words from practice tests, ETS Official Guide, or YouTube explanations.
- Those rarely live in the same smooth system as your Kaplan cards.
4. Review depends on your willpower
- You have to remember when to study.
- No smart reminders, no “hey, it’s time to see this card again.”
That’s why a lot of people start with GRE flashcards Kaplan, but then realize they need a better system to actually lock everything into long-term memory.
How Flashrecall Fits In (And Honestly Makes Your Life Easier)
Here’s where Flashrecall comes in as the smarter way to handle GRE flashcards:
👉 App link so you can check it out while reading:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Flashrecall is a fast, modern flashcard app that:
- Uses built-in spaced repetition automatically
- Has active recall baked in (you always try to remember before flipping)
- Sends study reminders so you don’t forget to review
- Works offline on iPhone and iPad
- Is free to start, so you can try it without stressing about cost
You can totally still use Kaplan content if you like it, but Flashrecall is where you review it in a way that’s actually efficient.
Kaplan vs Flashrecall: What’s The Real Difference?
Let’s compare them in a simple way:
1. Content vs System
- Kaplan:
- Gives you curated GRE vocab and questions.
- Good for “what should I study?”
- Flashrecall:
- Gives you the system to remember any content (Kaplan, ETS, your own notes, YouTube explanations, PDFs, etc.).
- Good for “how do I actually remember this long term?”
Honestly, the best combo is:
> Use Kaplan (or any source) for content → Put the important stuff into Flashrecall → Let spaced repetition handle the rest.
2. Adapting To You
- Kaplan flashcards:
- Same order, same frequency for everyone.
- Feels like a one-size-fits-all t‑shirt.
- Flashrecall:
- Uses spaced repetition to show hard cards more often and easy ones less.
- The schedule adapts to your memory, not someone else’s.
Flashrecall automatically keeps track and reminds you of the cards you don't remember well so you remember faster. Like this :
So if “castigate” keeps slipping your mind, Flashrecall will keep bringing it back right before you forget it. That’s the magic of spaced repetition.
3. Making Cards Is Way Faster In Flashrecall
This is where Flashrecall is just way more convenient than old-school decks.
You can create cards from:
- Images – Screenshot a Kaplan vocab list or a question, drop it in, and Flashrecall makes cards from it.
- Text – Copy-paste vocab or explanations straight from PDFs, websites, or notes.
- PDFs – Import a GRE vocab PDF or Kaplan notes and pull cards out of it.
- YouTube links – Watching a GRE vocab or math explanation video? Turn parts of it into flashcards.
- Typed prompts – Just type a word like “laconic” and definition/example, done.
- Audio – Record yourself saying the word and definition if you like audio learning.
You can also make cards manually if you prefer full control. This is super helpful for:
- Words you missed on practice tests
- Tricky quant concepts (like rate problems, combinatorics, etc.)
- Reading comp question types and traps
4. Built-In Active Recall (The Thing That Actually Makes You Learn)
Kaplan flashcards can be used with active recall, but Flashrecall is literally designed around it.
- You see the prompt → you try to remember → then flip.
- You rate how well you remembered it.
- The app uses that rating to decide when you’ll see it again.
That’s exactly how you train your brain for GRE-style thinking, especially for vocab and math formulas.
How To Use Kaplan + Flashrecall Together (Best Of Both Worlds)
If you already have Kaplan GRE flashcards or materials, don’t ditch them. Here’s a simple way to combine them with Flashrecall:
Step 1: Start With Kaplan’s Lists Or Questions
Go through Kaplan’s:
- Vocab lists
- Practice questions
- Reading passages
- Math concept summaries
Mark:
- Words you don’t know
- Words you kind of recognize but can’t confidently use
- Concepts you keep getting wrong (like probability, exponents, or tricky sentence equivalence logic)
Step 2: Move The Important Stuff Into Flashrecall
In Flashrecall, create decks like:
- “GRE – High Priority Vocab”
- “GRE – Quant Formulas”
- “GRE – Reading & Logic Traps”
Then:
- Screenshot Kaplan pages and import them as images to make cards.
- Or copy-paste words/definitions into Flashrecall.
- Or type your own definitions in your own words (this actually helps a lot).
Example vocab card:
- Front: “Castigate” – definition?
- Back: “To criticize or punish severely; e.g., ‘The coach castigated the team for sloppy defense.’ Synonym: reprimand.”
Step 3: Let Spaced Repetition Handle The Timing
Once your cards are in Flashrecall:
- The app automatically schedules reviews using spaced repetition.
- You get study reminders, so you don’t have to remember when to review.
- You just open the app, and it shows you what’s due today.
No more “uhh what should I study now?”
You just follow the queue.
Step 4: Use Flashrecall’s Chat When You’re Confused
One underrated feature:
If you don’t fully get a concept on a card, you can chat with the flashcard to learn more.
For example:
- You have a card about “permutation vs combination” and you’re still fuzzy.
- Open the card → ask follow-up questions in the chat.
- Get extra explanations/examples right there instead of Googling for 20 minutes.
This is super helpful for GRE quant and tricky vocab nuance (like “perfunctory” vs “cursory”).
Why Flashrecall Is Better Long-Term Than Just Kaplan Flashcards
Kaplan is great for:
- Curated GRE content
- Structured course material
But if you want to:
- Actually remember 500+ vocab words
- Keep formulas and strategies fresh
- Use your time efficiently instead of reviewing random cards
…you need a system that:
- Adapts to your memory
- Reminds you to study
- Works offline (train, plane, random coffee shop)
- Lets you mix content from any source: Kaplan, ETS, YouTube, PDFs, class notes, etc.
That’s exactly what Flashrecall does:
- Works on iPhone and iPad
- Fast, modern, and easy to use
- Great for GRE, but also for languages, uni courses, medicine, business – literally anything you want to remember
- Free to start, so you can test it out without committing
Link again so you don’t have to scroll:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Simple GRE Study Plan Using Kaplan + Flashrecall
Here’s a quick 4-step weekly routine you can actually follow:
Daily (15–30 minutes)
- Open Flashrecall and do all due reviews (spaced repetition).
- Add 5–15 new vocab words from Kaplan or practice tests.
- Quickly chat with any card you still don’t fully get.
3x Per Week
- Do a short Kaplan or ETS practice set (verbal or quant).
- Any word/concept you miss → immediately becomes a Flashrecall card.
Weekly
- One longer practice session (sections or full test).
- Afterward, pull your mistakes into Flashrecall as cards:
- Wrong answers
- Guesses you got lucky on
- New vocab from reading passages
Before Test Day
- Keep doing your due reviews in Flashrecall.
- Don’t cram new words last minute; just solidify what’s already in your decks.
Final Thoughts: Should You Use GRE Flashcards Kaplan Or Flashrecall?
Short answer: use both, but don’t rely only on Kaplan’s flashcards.
- Kaplan gives you good GRE content.
- Flashrecall gives you a smart system to remember it efficiently.
If you’re serious about your score and don’t want to forget everything a week later, move your important Kaplan stuff into Flashrecall and let spaced repetition and reminders carry you.
Try it while you’re still in study mode:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
You’ll feel the difference after just a few days of actually remembering the words you thought you’d never learn.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the fastest way to create flashcards?
Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.
Is there a free flashcard app?
Yes. Flashrecall is free and lets you create flashcards from images, text, prompts, audio, PDFs, and YouTube videos.
How do I start spaced repetition?
You can manually schedule your reviews, but most people use apps that automate this. Flashrecall uses built-in spaced repetition so you review cards at the perfect time.
Related Articles
- GRE Vocab Flashcards: 7 Powerful Tricks To Learn More Words Faster And Actually Remember Them – Stop memorizing random word lists and use a smarter flashcard system that makes GRE vocab finally stick.
- Create Your Flashcards Like A Pro: 7 Powerful Tips To Learn Faster And Remember More – Stop Wasting Time On Boring Notes And Turn Them Into Smart Flashcards That Actually Stick
- Best Spanish Flashcards: 7 Powerful Ways To Learn Faster And Actually Remember Words – Stop Wasting Time On Boring Decks And Start Speaking So Much Sooner
Research References
The information in this article is based on peer-reviewed research and established studies in cognitive psychology and learning science.
Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354-380
Meta-analysis showing spaced repetition significantly improves long-term retention compared to massed practice
Carpenter, S. K., Cepeda, N. J., Rohrer, D., Kang, S. H., & Pashler, H. (2012). Using spacing to enhance diverse forms of learning: Review of recent research and implications for instruction. Educational Psychology Review, 24(3), 369-378
Review showing spacing effects work across different types of learning materials and contexts
Kang, S. H. (2016). Spaced repetition promotes efficient and effective learning: Policy implications for instruction. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3(1), 12-19
Policy review advocating for spaced repetition in educational settings based on extensive research evidence
Karpicke, J. D., & Roediger, H. L. (2008). The critical importance of retrieval for learning. Science, 319(5865), 966-968
Research demonstrating that active recall (retrieval practice) is more effective than re-reading for long-term learning
Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 20-27
Review of research showing retrieval practice (active recall) as one of the most effective learning strategies
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58
Comprehensive review ranking learning techniques, with practice testing and distributed practice rated as highly effective

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