Kaplan Vocabulary App: Why Most Students Outgrow It And The Smarter Way To Learn 3x Faster – Don’t just memorize word lists, upgrade to a system that actually sticks.
Kaplan vocabulary app is fine for quick drills, but spaced repetition, active recall, and AI flashcards in Flashrecall make vocab stick way longer.
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So, You’re Thinking About Using The Kaplan Vocabulary App?
So, you’re looking for a Kaplan vocabulary app to boost your vocab for exams like GRE, SAT, or just to sound smarter? Honestly, the Kaplan vocabulary app is fine for basic practice, but if you want something that actually helps you remember long-term, you’re way better off using a modern flashcard app like Flashrecall. It builds vocab with spaced repetition, active recall, and even lets you turn vocab lists, PDFs, and screenshots into flashcards in seconds. That means less time messing around with word lists and more time actually learning. If you want something that’ll still be helping you months from now—not just cramming for a week—grab Flashrecall here:
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Kaplan Vocabulary App vs Modern Flashcard Apps: What’s The Deal?
Alright, let’s talk straight.
The Kaplan vocabulary app (and similar test-prep apps) are usually:
- Focused on fixed word lists for specific exams
- Mostly multiple choice or basic quizzes
- Good for short-term practice, not always long-term memory
- Kind of rigid—you use what they give you, not what you actually need
That’s okay if you just want to casually review some words.
But if you’re serious about vocab—for GRE, SAT, TOEFL, medicine, law, business English, or just leveling up your language—then you want:
- Custom vocab, not just someone else’s list
- Spaced repetition so words actually stick
- Active recall instead of just tapping answers
- A tool that works for all subjects, not just one exam
That’s where Flashrecall comes in and honestly blows most traditional vocab apps out of the water.
Why Flashrecall Beats a Standard Kaplan Vocabulary App for Learning Words
1. You’re Not Stuck With One Company’s Word List
Kaplan gives you their vocab set. Helpful, but limited.
With Flashrecall, you can:
- Add any word you want
- Build decks for GRE, SAT, GMAT, MCAT, USMLE, IELTS, or even business jargon
- Mix vocab with other subjects (e.g., “Cardiology Terms” + “Spanish Verbs” + “Corporate Finance”) all in one place
You’re not locked into “Kaplan’s words only.” You’re building your brain, not just finishing someone’s pre-made list.
2. Turn Anything Into Vocab Flashcards Instantly
This is where Flashrecall is just… way more convenient.
In Flashrecall, you can make flashcards from:
- Images – Screenshot a Kaplan vocab page or word list, import it, and get auto-generated flashcards
- Text – Paste a vocab list, definitions, or example sentences
- PDFs – Upload your vocab PDF or ebook and turn the important parts into cards
- YouTube links – Studying from a GRE/SAT vocab video? Turn the transcript into cards
- Audio or typed prompts – Dictate or type words on the go
So instead of being stuck inside one app’s content, you can pull vocab from anywhere and study it in one place.
3. Built-In Spaced Repetition (So You Don’t Forget Everything)
Most vocabulary apps, including the Kaplan vocabulary app, are basically:
“Here’s a list, keep reviewing until the test.”
The problem? You forget 80% of it a month later.
Flashrecall has built-in spaced repetition that:
- Automatically schedules your reviews
- Shows you words right before you’re about to forget them
- Sends study reminders, so you don’t have to remember when to review
You just open the app, and it tells you exactly what to study that day. No planning. No guessing. Just consistent progress.
4. Active Recall > Multiple Choice
Kaplan-style apps often lean heavily on multiple choice questions. That’s okay for practice, but not great for memory.
Flashrecall is built around active recall, which is way more powerful:
- You see the word → you try to remember the definition
- Or you see the definition → you try to recall the word
- Then you rate how hard it was, and spaced repetition adjusts your schedule
This is how your brain actually learns: by pulling information out, not just recognizing it.
5. You Can Actually Chat With Your Flashcards (Super Useful for Vocab)
Here’s something Kaplan’s vocab app doesn’t do:
In Flashrecall, if you’re unsure about a word, you can literally chat with the flashcard.
Examples of what you can ask:
- “Give me this word in 3 different example sentences.”
- “Explain this word like I’m 10 years old.”
- “What’s the difference between ‘laconic’ and ‘taciturn’?”
- “Give me synonyms and antonyms for this word.”
So instead of just memorizing a dry definition, you actually understand how to use the word.
6. Works For Way More Than Just Exam Vocab
Kaplan’s vocab tools are exam-focused. Flashrecall is life-focused.
You can use it for:
- Languages – Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, etc.
- University courses – psychology terms, biology, law, economics
- Medicine & nursing – drug names, anatomy, pathology
- Business & finance – jargon, formulas, definitions
- Personal development – quotes, concepts, frameworks
All in one app, with the same spaced repetition system making sure you remember.
7. Fast, Modern, and Actually Nice To Use
You know how some older prep apps feel… clunky?
Flashrecall is:
- Fast and modern – smooth UI, quick to add and review cards
- Easy to use – you don’t need a tutorial to get started
- Free to start – you can test it out without committing
- Works on iPhone and iPad
- Offline-friendly – you can review on the bus, train, or in bad Wi-Fi
If you’re going to stare at an app every day, it might as well be one that doesn’t feel like it was built in 2010.
How To Move From Kaplan Vocabulary App Style Learning To Flashrecall
Flashrecall automatically keeps track and reminds you of the cards you don't remember well so you remember faster. Like this :
If you’re already using a Kaplan vocabulary app or Kaplan book, here’s how to upgrade your system using Flashrecall without starting from zero.
Step 1: Grab Flashrecall
Download it here:
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Open it up, create your first deck:
- “GRE Kaplan Vocab”
- “SAT High-Frequency Words”
- “TOEFL Academic Words”
Whatever you’re studying.
Step 2: Import Your Existing Vocab
You can:
- Screenshot the word lists or app screens, then import to Flashrecall and auto-generate flashcards
- Copy-paste lists from PDFs, notes, or websites
- Manually add only the words you actually struggle with
This way, you’re not throwing away Kaplan—you’re powering it up with a better review system.
Step 3: Add Example Sentences & Notes
For each word, you can add:
- A simple definition
- 1–2 example sentences (from Kaplan or your own)
- Synonyms/antonyms
- A memory trick (mnemonic) if you use them
Flashrecall will then use these in your reviews, and if you’re ever confused, you can chat with the card to get more explanations.
Step 4: Let Spaced Repetition Do Its Thing
Once your deck is set up:
- Review your cards daily
- Mark how easy or hard each one felt
- Flashrecall will space out reviews automatically
You’ll notice that words you know well show up less often, and tricky words keep coming back until they stick. That’s exactly what you want.
Kaplan Vocabulary App vs Flashrecall: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Kaplan Vocabulary App | Flashrecall |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-made exam vocab lists | Yes | You create/import your own |
| Custom decks for any subject | Limited | Yes, unlimited |
| Spaced repetition | Basic or none (varies) | Yes, built-in with smart scheduling |
| Active recall focus | Mixed (often multiple choice) | Yes, core feature |
| Create cards from images/PDFs/audio | Usually no | Yes |
| Chat with cards for explanations | No | Yes |
| Works offline | Sometimes, depends | Yes |
| Great for vocab and all other subjects | Mostly exam vocab | Yes |
| Platform | Depends on version | iPhone & iPad |
Who Should Still Use The Kaplan Vocabulary App?
To be fair, the Kaplan vocabulary app still makes sense if:
- You want quick, ready-made vocab lists for a specific test
- You like doing multiple choice drills as a warmup
- You’re just casually browsing words and not building a long-term system
But if you:
- Want vocab that sticks for years, not days
- Study multiple subjects or languages
- Like controlling your own content
- Want smarter reviews instead of endless random quizzes
…then moving to Flashrecall is just a better long-term move.
Simple Study Routine Using Flashrecall (That Beats Just Using Kaplan)
Here’s an easy routine you can follow:
1. Pick 10–20 new words per day
From Kaplan, a book, a vocab website, class notes—whatever.
2. Add them to Flashrecall
Type them in, paste them, or import from a screenshot/PDF.
3. Review yesterday’s words first
Let spaced repetition handle the scheduling.
4. Use active recall
Try to remember the word/definition before flipping the card.
5. If confused, chat with the card
Ask for more examples or simpler explanations.
6. Do this 10–20 minutes a day
That’s it. Tiny daily sessions >> random 2-hour cram sessions.
Stick to that, and you’ll absolutely outgrow what a single Kaplan vocabulary app can do for you.
Final Thoughts: Use Kaplan If You Want, But Build Your System In Flashrecall
If you like Kaplan’s vocab content, keep using it. But don’t let your progress live and die inside one app.
Use Kaplan for finding words, and use Flashrecall for actually remembering them long-term.
You’ll:
- Learn faster
- Forget less
- Be able to reuse the same system for every exam, every subject, every language
If you’re serious about vocab and studying smarter, not just harder, grab Flashrecall here and set up your first deck today:
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Your future self, casually dropping perfect vocab in essays and conversations, will be very happy you did.
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.
What is active recall and how does it work?
Active recall is the process of actively retrieving information from memory rather than passively reviewing it. Flashrecall forces proper active recall by making you think before revealing answers, then uses spaced repetition to optimize your review schedule.
What's the best way to learn vocabulary?
Research shows that combining flashcards with spaced repetition and active recall is highly effective. Flashrecall automates this process, generating cards from your study materials and scheduling reviews at optimal intervals.
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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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