Help Setting up Anki efficiently (steps, cards/day, intervals, etc)?

[jparsenal87]

I've recently started to make flashcards for my MCAT prep (based on a review of EK and TPR materials), but I've been pretty particular about trying to adhere to the minimum information principle and breaking down things as small as I can on my flashcards. That being said, I am going to make a ton of cards by the time I'm through this, which is fine.

I'm still getting used to the "mechanics" of Anki, but I just wanted to ask here if anyone has any advice on how to set up the "settings" for best retention. So far, I have just been using the default (only changed that new cards appear in random order), but I was thinking about adding an extra learning step. Anyway, I want to leave this kind of open-ended, but if anyone that has used Anki has any tips for improving the settings for someone that is planning on making over 1000 cards by the time its done, I'd appreciate it!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[banana_phone]

Bump. Same question. Help!

I used Anki extensively for my post-bacc courses, but think since I have 100 days to study, I'll use it differently. What would people say optimal spacing is? Any science out there on how many review cards per day should be done? And how many new cards per day is ideal? Some days during prereqs I had up to 50 new and 150 review, but that felt like a lot, and since I have longer to study for the MCAT than a normal class..seems like longer spacing may be better.

 

[Chelsea FC]

We have couple anki guru on here , the most helpful i know of is @mehc012 she is normally good at taking questions but I suggest looking at her thread first, most likely your question have already been answered . Thread link below
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/anki-central.1064361/page-6#post-17293874

 

[mehc012]

We have couple anki guru on here , the most helpful i know of is @mehc012 she is normally good at taking questions but I suggest looking at her thread first, most likely your question have already been answered . Thread link below
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/anki-central.1064361/page-6#post-17293874

Thanks...I do go into MCAT studying and intervals in my thread! My general rule of thumb is to keep your counts low, and do extra on days where you can. Usually I advise that your Review count be at least 2x your New count, and that your max total review count be the most you'd be willing to study on your worst day. That way, you never have an excuse to skip Anki. When doing this, keep in mind that Learning cards are reviewed in addition to New and Review cards and take that into account (for me, this is usually = New card count at its max, but if you have a lot of small steps, that may differ for you.)

More info is in my thread, including the settings I used for my own Anki deck, which was also very comprehensive and broken down into the smallest details (~3000 cards total by the end)!

 

[banana_phone]

Thanks...I do go into MCAT studying and intervals in my thread! My general rule of thumb is to keep your counts low, and do extra on days where you can. Usually I advise that your Review count be at least 2x your New count, and that your max total review count be the most you'd be willing to study on your worst day. That way, you never have an excuse to skip Anki. When doing this, keep in mind that Learning cards are reviewed in addition to New and Review cards and take that into account (for me, this is usually = New card count at its max, but if you have a lot of small steps, that may differ for you.)

More info is in my thread, including the settings I used for my own Anki deck, which was also very comprehensive and broken down into the smallest details (~3000 cards total by the end)!

awesome. thank you for this! Would you mind telling me what your numbers were for your MCAT deck? I couldn't find that anywhere . Currently mine is set to 40 new, 100 review..but 140 in one day sounds like H*LL and reminds me of my Biochem class, where Anki became the bane of my existence! That being said, I don't want to set myself up for failure. WOuld love 95% retention on what surely will end up >2000 cards.

 

[mehc012]

awesome. thank you for this! Would you mind telling me what your numbers were for your MCAT deck? I couldn't find that anywhere . Currently mine is set to 40 new, 100 review..but 140 in one day sounds like H*LL and reminds me of my Biochem class, where Anki became the bane of my existence! That being said, I don't want to set myself up for failure. WOuld love 95% retention on what surely will end up >2000 cards.

I mean, that's where I'm sitting (95%+ on >2000 card), using the settings on the first page of that thread, but you have to understand that these numbers don't exist in a vacuum. I make my cards, so I use a very short Learning curve, and that affects the New/Due counts.
I also set my New/Due counts low and often would Custom Study→Increase Today's Due Count.