Kaplan MCAT Anki: How To Actually Use Question Banks With Flashcards To Score Higher – Most Pre-Meds Don’t Do This Right
Kaplan MCAT Anki sounds great until you’re drowning in decks. See a simple Kaplan→flashcards workflow, why most people mess it up, and how Flashrecall fixes it.
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So, you’re trying to figure out how to use Kaplan MCAT Anki together without losing your mind? Kaplan gives you content and questions, Anki gives you spaced repetition, and the real magic is combining them in a way that actually sticks for test day. The idea is simple: you turn the high‑yield stuff from Kaplan books and Qbank into flashcards, then review them over time so you don’t forget. Where most people mess up is wasting hours formatting cards instead of actually learning. That’s where a smoother app like Flashrecall (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085) comes in and makes building and reviewing those Kaplan-based cards way easier.
What People Mean By “Kaplan MCAT Anki”
Alright, let’s talk about what this combo actually is.
When people say Kaplan MCAT Anki, they usually mean one of two things:
1. They’re using Kaplan books / Qbank as their main content source
2. Then they’re using Anki (or another flashcard app) to turn that content into spaced repetition cards
So the workflow looks like this:
- Read or watch Kaplan content
- Do Kaplan practice questions
- Turn every missed question or tricky concept into a flashcard
- Review those cards daily using spaced repetition
The idea is perfect. The execution is where things fall apart.
A lot of students:
- Spend way too long making cards
- Get overwhelmed by huge Anki decks
- Forget to actually review consistently
That’s why using something smoother and more modern like Flashrecall can be a game changer for Kaplan-based studying.
👉 Flashrecall link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Why Kaplan + Flashcards Works So Well For The MCAT
The MCAT is mostly:
- Content recall (facts, formulas, pathways, definitions)
- Application (using those facts in passages and questions)
Kaplan gives you:
- Structured content in books, videos, and Qbank
- Tons of practice questions
Flashcards give you:
- Fast recall of definitions, formulas, and concepts
- Long‑term memory via spaced repetition
So, Kaplan = what to learn, flashcards = how to remember it long-term.
If you do Kaplan without flashcards, you forget.
If you do flashcards without good content, you memorize random stuff.
Putting them together is where you actually start scoring higher.
Why Not Just Use Anki? How Flashrecall Compares
You absolutely can use Anki for your Kaplan MCAT workflow. Tons of people do. But here’s why a lot of students end up switching to something like Flashrecall instead:
1. Easier To Make Cards From Kaplan Content
With Anki, making cards from Kaplan often means:
- Copy‑pasting text
- Manually formatting cloze deletions
- Screenshotting diagrams and importing them
With Flashrecall, you can:
- Snap a photo of a Kaplan page or diagram and instantly turn it into flashcards
- Import PDFs (like Kaplan notes) and auto-generate cards
- Paste text or a summary and have cards created for you
- Still make manual cards if you want full control
So instead of spending 40 minutes making perfect Anki cards from one Kaplan chapter, you can build cards in minutes and move on.
2. Built-In Spaced Repetition Without The Setup Headache
Anki’s spaced repetition is powerful, but:
- You have to manage settings, syncs, and decks
- It can feel clunky, especially on mobile
- Automatic spaced repetition built in
- Smart study reminders so you don’t forget to review
- A clean, modern interface that just works on iPhone and iPad
You still get the spaced repetition magic—just without the “why is my deck not syncing” drama.
3. Active Recall + Chatting With Your Cards
Both Anki and Flashrecall use active recall (you see a prompt, you try to answer from memory).
Flashrecall automatically keeps track and reminds you of the cards you don't remember well so you remember faster. Like this :
But Flashrecall adds something super useful for MCAT:
- You can chat with the flashcard if you’re confused
- Stuck on a Kaplan biochem card? Ask for a simpler explanation.
- Don’t get a physics formula? Ask for an example.
This is huge when you’re self‑studying and don’t have a tutor on demand.
👉 Try Flashrecall here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
How To Use Kaplan MCAT + Flashcards Step-By-Step
Let’s walk through a simple, realistic workflow you can actually follow.
Step 1: Use Kaplan As Your Content Spine
Pick one main source for content (Kaplan books, Qbank, or course). For example:
- Read a Kaplan chapter on “Cardiovascular System”
- Watch any related videos if you have the course
- Then do Kaplan practice questions for that topic
Your goal here is understanding, not memorizing every sentence.
Step 2: Turn Only High-Yield Stuff Into Flashcards
Don’t turn the entire Kaplan book into cards. That’s how people burn out.
Make flashcards for:
- Concepts you didn’t know
- Questions you got wrong or guessed
- Mnemonics, pathways, formulas
- Tricky details Kaplan keeps emphasizing
With Flashrecall, you can:
- Take a picture of a Kaplan question you missed and auto-generate a card from it
- Highlight a key paragraph in your notes, paste it into Flashrecall, and let it suggest cards
- Manually write question/answer pairs for high-yield facts
Example card from a Kaplan missed question:
- Front: “Increased aldosterone will have what effect on serum potassium and sodium levels?”
- Back: “Increases sodium reabsorption, increases water retention, decreases serum potassium (hypokalemia).”
Step 3: Use Spaced Repetition Daily
This is where Kaplan MCAT Anki users often slip: they create a ton of cards and then don’t review consistently.
With Flashrecall:
- Spaced repetition is automatic
- You get study reminders so you actually review on time
- You can study offline on your phone or iPad—perfect for bus rides, waiting rooms, etc.
Make it a rule:
- Every day: review due cards first
- Then add new cards from that day’s Kaplan chapter or Qbank session
Even 30–45 minutes a day of consistent reviews will stack up fast.
What Types Of Kaplan Content Work Best As Flashcards?
Not everything from Kaplan belongs on a card. Here’s what works well:
1. Definitions & Concepts
- Neurotransmitters
- Hormones and their effects
- Psych/soc terms
Example:
- Front: “Define ‘availability heuristic’.”
- Back: “Judging the likelihood of events based on how easily examples come to mind.”
2. Formulas & Equations
- Physics and gen chem equations
- Biochem formulas
Example:
- Front: “Henderson–Hasselbalch equation for pH of a buffer?”
- Back: “pH = pKa + log([A-]/[HA])”
3. Pathways & Processes
- Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system
- Glycolysis, TCA, ETC
- Immune response steps
These work great with image-based cards in Flashrecall:
- Snap a Kaplan diagram
- Turn it into a card where you recall labels or steps
4. Question-Based Cards From Kaplan Qbank
This is probably the most powerful:
- Take every Kaplan question you missed
- Turn the core concept into a flashcard
Example:
- Front: “In restrictive lung disease, what happens to TLC, FEV1, and FVC?”
- Back: “TLC ↓, FEV1 ↓, FVC ↓, FEV1/FVC ratio normal or increased.”
How To Avoid Overwhelming Yourself With Too Many Cards
Huge mistake with Kaplan MCAT Anki style studying: making way too many cards.
Some tips:
- Don’t make cards for stuff you already know cold
- One idea per card (no paragraphs)
- Focus more on missed questions than random facts
- Keep cards short and clear—especially for psych/soc definitions
With Flashrecall, you can also:
- Quickly edit or delete cards that turn out to be low-yield
- Tag cards by topic (e.g., “Kaplan Bio”, “Kaplan Psych”, “Kaplan Qbank Missed”) so you can target weak areas
Example Daily Routine Using Kaplan + Flashrecall
Here’s a simple daily structure you can copy:
- Open Flashrecall
- Review all due cards (spaced repetition takes care of scheduling)
- Read 1–2 Kaplan chapters
- Do related Kaplan Qbank questions
- Add flashcards from:
- Missed Kaplan questions
- Confusing explanations
- High-yield diagrams or tables
- Use Flashrecall to auto-generate from images or text so this is fast
Repeat this and your deck becomes a personalized MCAT memory bank built directly from Kaplan content.
👉 Grab Flashrecall here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Why Flashrecall Is Especially Nice For MCAT Studying
To sum up why Flashrecall works so well with Kaplan MCAT material:
- Fast card creation
- From images, text, PDFs, YouTube links, or manual entry
- Built-in spaced repetition
- No need to mess with settings—it just schedules reviews
- Study reminders
- Keeps you consistent without relying on willpower
- Works offline
- Perfect for squeezing in review time anywhere
- Chat with your cards
- Get extra explanations when something from Kaplan still doesn’t click
- Free to start, modern, and simple
- No steep learning curve like some older tools
- Great for any subject
- Not just MCAT—also med school, undergrad, languages, business, whatever you’re learning
You still get all the benefits people chase with Kaplan MCAT Anki, but with less friction and more flexibility.
Final Thoughts: Make Kaplan Work For You, Not Against You
You don’t need to copy every Kaplan page into flashcards. You just need to:
1. Learn from Kaplan (books, videos, Qbank)
2. Turn the most important and most confusing stuff into cards
3. Review those cards consistently with spaced repetition
Anki can do this, but if you want something cleaner, faster, and way easier on mobile, Flashrecall is honestly a better fit for most students.
If you’re serious about using Kaplan content the smart way—and not just rereading the same chapters 5 times—set up your system now:
👉 Download Flashrecall: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Then start turning your Kaplan MCAT grind into something you’ll actually remember on test day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anki good for studying?
Anki is powerful but requires manual card creation and has a steep learning curve. Flashrecall offers AI-powered card generation from your notes, images, PDFs, and videos, making it faster and easier to create effective flashcards.
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.
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.
How can I study more effectively for this test?
Effective exam prep combines active recall, spaced repetition, and regular practice. Flashrecall helps by automatically generating flashcards from your study materials and using spaced repetition to ensure you remember everything when exam day arrives.
Related Articles
- Anki Flashcards For MCAT: 7 Powerful Study Secrets Most Pre-Meds Never Use To Boost Their Score Fast – If you’re drowning in Anki decks for the MCAT, this guide shows a smarter, simpler way to use flashcards (and a better app) to actually remember everything.
- MCAT Flashcards Anki: Why Most Pre-Meds Are Switching Apps To Study Faster – Stop Wasting Time On Clunky Decks And Start Actually Remembering Content
- Anki MCAT MileDown: The Complete Guide To Faster MCAT Studying (And A Better Flashcard Setup Most People Miss) – If you love MileDown but hate clunky decks and burnout, this breaks down exactly how to study smarter and what to use instead of just defaulting to Anki.
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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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