As you make a study plan, you know that MCAT flashcards are the way to go for getting all those facts, equations, and concepts into your brain. Except, you’re not so sure how you should go about actually making and using them.
Are you supposed to create a flashcard for every little snippet of information? But what happens if you don’t? Do you run the risk of getting a low score because you missed something?
You need a strategy that works and one that’s easy to use!
Fortunately, I have a system for making MCAT flashcards that helped me get the most out of my study time (including Anki tips). This simple process, along with a few helpful strategies, will streamline your studying – you’ll study smarter, not harder.
This post is all about MCAT Flashcards.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.
Ultimate Tips in Creating MCAT Flashcards
Common Pitfalls with MCAT Flashcards
It’s all too easy to run into problems with flashcards that cause you to hinder your studying rather than help it. Here are two of the biggest issues that often come up.
Pitfall #1: An Overwhelming Amount
Imagine creating a set of flashcards for every single chapter and every single concept. And then standing up when you’re done and not being able to find your desk underneath them all.
It’s way too many!
Disclaimer – Everyone has their own unique study style. So, if a ton works best for you, then go for it.
However, in most cases, having too many flashcards makes it totally unlikely that you’ll review them consistently. With that amount, it would be nearly impossible to study every single flashcard every single day.
Pitfall #2: Setting Them in Stone
A lot of people go through the material, create their flashcards, and that’s that. They put them aside until the next study session, when they shuffle through them haphazardly and choose a few to study.
Unfortunately, the flashcards you happen to pick out using this method may cover many of the things you already know well. So, you wind up wasting your time. Or worse, the facts, concepts, and equations you’re having trouble sinking deep into your brain aren’t anywhere on the original set of flashcards you made.
Keep in mind that flashcards were just ONE of my study strategies for the MCAT. Check out my video below for the full upload on resources I would suggest (as a 516+ scorer):
My No-Fail System for Creating MCAT Flashcards
Here’s where my foolproof method sweeps in and saves the day!
To combat having way too many flashcards that aren’t serving you well because a) you can’t get through them all to review them properly each day (or even in a week’s time!) and b) they don’t cover the exact things you need to study most, I created this handy little system.
And it fits perfectly into the three-phase study schedule that I recommend following to help you fully prepare for the MCAT. (To learn more about how this study plan works and where using flashcards fits in, check out my post on How to Start Studying for the MCAT—Ditch the Overwhelm and Fear!)
Be PICKY!
The first few weeks of study, as you’re conducting a content review of all the chapters, are the best time to create flashcards. (During Phase 1 of your study schedule.)
Be super picky with this first round of flashcards! Focus on quality over quantity.
You want to be as selective as possible about what you decide belongs on a flashcard. Try not to write down every tiny detail. Remember, you’re trying to keep your number of flashcards to a manageable amount.
Instead, look for overarching topics. Add things that you think will likely come up a lot in the practice full-length exams. And avoid jotting down things that are such a small detail that you predict you probably won’t see often or ever on your passage-based questions or full-length practice tests.
Make Your MCAT Flashcards Dynamic and Responsive
As you progress through tackling passage-based questions in Phase 2 and take full-length exams in Phase 3 of your study schedule, here’s where you conduct an edit. While being picky is smart in the beginning, you still might have missed the mark with what you choose to record.
You might think, “I’ll never see that nitty-gritty detail,” and leave it off a flashcard. And then later, “Ah, I keep missing that same question because I don’t know that equation.” So, then, here’s where you make that exact adjustment and add that missing piece to one of your flashcards.
Here are some tips to help you better sift through your flashcards.
- Take flashcards out of your daily study mix containing information you don’t need to review any further because you know it so well.
- Create new flashcards based on the exact bits of information you’re getting incorrect on your practice exams
- To decide which topic or equation is more important to include on a flashcard, base it on how many times it appears on a full-length practice exam. If you see it more often, include it on a flashcard that you study every day.
Using Anki to Create Flashcards
In the place of physical flashcards, you can also use Anki, which is a game-changer for making your MCAT flashcards more effective. Anki isn’t your typical flashcard app—it’s a virtual flashcard system that works wonders for memory retention.
If you are just getting started with this, check out my full Anki Tutorial blog post.
About Anki
- You create your own flashcards with all the key information you need to know for the MCAT.
- As you review your flashcards, you rate how well you remember the answer.
- Anki then uses this feedback to determine when to show you that particular card again.
Anki incorporates a technique called spaced repetition, which basically means it optimizes the timing of when you see each flashcard. The genius of Anki is that it focuses on the cards you find challenging and shows them to you more frequently. This targeted approach really helps you commit everything to memory like a pro!
Anki Tips
I personally didn’t use Anki to study for the MCAT, but since then, I’ve decided to give it a try. It has been great for studying for exams in medical school.
However, the same rules apply to Anki as virtual flashcards – if you make too many, then you’re going to have a ton to get through each day. You have to be picky. You have to sort through what’s most important and what isn’t worth your time.
Of course, you might be wrong with what you select to put on your Anki cards the first time. But that’s the beauty of having a system. No pressure on the first round! You can and should make changes as you progress.
So, after you take a few full-length practice exams and think this should have been in a flashcard, then go ahead and add it. You can do that with Anki just as easily as with your paper flashcards.
Why You Shouldn’t Use MCAT Flashcards Created by Other People
Now you can look up flashcards that people have already made. Sure, it might be tempting to save time by using someone else’s hard work, but hold up a minute before you do that.
I’m here to give you a friendly nudge away from using pre-made flashcards. Why? Because those flashcards may not be tailored to your unique study needs. When I was getting ready for the MCAT, I created my own flashcards based on the topics I knew I needed to focus on, and it made a world of difference.
Think about it – other people’s flashcards might cover things you already have a solid grasp on. So, instead of relying on someone else’s notes, why not take the time to create your own personalized flashcards? This way, you can target EXACTLY what you need to study.
How to Review Your Flashcards and Notes
Here’s how to level up your flashcard game. These simple steps will help you consistently refine and adapt your flashcard system so you can prioritize your study time to only the concepts that truly need your attention.
1. Step Up Your Flashcards for Success
You can create your flashcards using standard index cards. However, I like to take notes on a full sheet of paper, which I slide into a plastic sheet protector and store neatly together in a cute 3-ring binder. To keep my binder organized, I use colorful dividers that I’ve labeled for each chapter or section for easy reference.
For example, during Phase 1 of my study plan, which is (based on the 3-phase system) when you conduct a content review, I created a sheet for Physics, Chapter 8, of the Princeton Review. I decided that a specific gravity equation, what pressure is, the density of water, and similar concepts were all important, so I added them to the sheet, which I then slipped into the plastic protector to create a sturdy flashcard to review.
2. Prioritize What to Focus On
As you progress through full-length practice exams and passage-based practice questions, frequently revise your flashcards using a dry-erase maker directly on the plastic sheet protector. Mark off the specific concepts you want to review each day based on where you’re consistently struggling.
So, back to my example from above, let’s say now I’m at the phase where I’ve taken a few full-length practice exams, and lo and behold, I’ve missed some questions. Now, I grab my binder and flip to the sheet I created for Physics, Chapter 8. Then, with my dry-erase marker in hand, I circle in red only the points that caused me to answer incorrectly because I don’t have a good handle on that particular information. So then, during my next study session, I can zero in on only those concepts.
3. Make Changes as You Make Progress
Often, what you need to study will change, which is why using an erasable marker makes sense. You can adapt what you choose to study from day to day or week to week. Erase things you’ve mastered. Circle different information you thought you had down, but after taking an exam, you realize you still need to review.
For instance, let’s say I nail the Bernoulli effect after several days of reviewing—bam, wipe off that circle! Now that it’s firmly ingrained in my memory and doesn’t require daily repetition, there’s no need to keep hammering it in every single day.
Use This Clever Tip When You’re Studying Alone
Prepare your sheets split in half, with questions on one side and answers on the other. I started doing this in college because, let’s face it, sometimes it’s all about memorization. There are countless concepts to grasp, but there are also some things you just need to commit to memory to ace those tough questions.
Here’s how to study if you’re by yourself.
- Take your sheet of notes out of the sleeve and fold it in half so you only see the questions. Then, grab a separate whiteboard to write down your answers. After working through all the questions, unfold your sheet, slide it back into the sleeve, and check your responses.
- If you aced every question, pat yourself on the back and move on! But if you missed any, no sweat – erase the whiteboard, fold the sheet back with only the questions showing, and tackle them again. Repeat this process until you can answer every single question without getting one wrong.
- As you go through your flashcards multiple times, mark the questions you struggle with the most with Xs (or circles) and focus your review on them. On weekends, you can review all the questions, but during busy weekdays, just hone in on those highlighted notes.
When specific equations or concepts keep tripping you up on practice exams, this highlighting trick helps you zero in on what needs extra attention.
I love this method because it helps me stay organized and focused. No more overwhelming stacks of flashcards to sift through—just targeted, effective studying.
Final Thoughts on MCAT Flashcards
One last tip: As you create your flashcards, keep an eye out for patterns. Some information is best memorized through flashcards, while other concepts may require a deeper understanding through videos or other methods. If you notice a bunch of facts that simply need to be memorized, that’s when flashcards truly shine!
So, give it a try! Hopefully, my flashcard system will help you make the most of your study sessions so you can earn your best possible score on the MCAT. And, if it’s not for you, no worries, stick to traditional note cards if that’s your preference.
Most of all, remember that mastering the MCAT is all about finding the techniques that work for you to make studying both effective and enjoyable. Happy studying!
