Anki Psychology Mcat - Level Medicine Blog

I held off on completing the P/S section bank until the week of my official MCAT. This served me well because the section bank is absolutely brutal – the questions are very challenging to navigate and I was thrown off many, many times given the rigor.

11 Best MCAT Anki Decks for 2023

If you’ve perused the wide world of MCAT prep on the web, you may already be familiar with “Anki decks” – customized collections of flashcards sourced from various MCAT study materials. Here, I’ve rounded up the 11 best MCAT Anki decks that you can download for free to help you ace the exam.

Getting Started With Anki

Anki is open-source software (meaning free for all) that allows users to create flashcard study decks which they can then share on the web.

To get started, download the safe, free Anki app. Then let’s dive into the Anki deck internet stew.

11 Best Anki MCAT Decks

Quick disclaimer before you start downloading any of these MCAT decks. These decks are for helping to facilitate review and memorization. If you are new to the MCAT or still require thorough explanations to fill content gaps, then you may want to start with a comprehensive MCAT study program before attempting to memorize information.

Ortho528 Anki Deck

Best for MCAT newbies

Download the Ortho528 Anki deck here.

Number of Cards: 4,351
Year: 2017
Sources: The Princeton Review, Examkrackers, Khan Academy (psych), Kaplan Biochem
Add-on Required:Image Occlusion

This might be the ideal Anki deck I would recommend to preppers just starting out on their MCAT journey (lucky you, if this applies, and godspeed on the journey ahead).

MCAT prepper Ortho528 created this eponymous deck (who reportedly used it himself to score a 132 on his MCAT). One of the perks of this Anki deck that I appreciate on behalf of MCAT newcomers is that it includes a smattering of reputable prep sources that provide a comprehensive set of study materials for students new to the MCAT.

While not as voluminous (at 4,351 cards) as many of the other decks that we will explore here, Ortho528 is a solid starting place to up your MCAT flashcard game.

MileDown Anki Deck

Best for visual learners

Download the MileDown Anki deck here.

Number of Cards: 2,900
Year: 2018
Sources: Khan Academy Psych/Soc
Add-on Required: Hierarchical Tags 2

I enjoyed this deck because of its copious number of illustrations and graphics that accompany the cards. If you learn best by way of visual stimulation – as an estimated 65% of Americans do based on social science research – MileDown’s deck is for you.

If you appreciate MilDown’s work, as I do, you might also want to consider giving his 90-page PDF review sheets a try as well.

JackSparrow2048

Most comprehensive

Download the JackSparrow2048 Anki deck here.

Along with scores of other online users who prefer the JS set, I like this Anki deck because it is the most comprehensive – including plenty of AAMC spoilers.

Each card is elaborately well-done. You will immediately notice how much time JS invested into making these content-driven cards. The creator himself allegedly scored an impressive 527 on his MCAT, which he prepped for using his own deck. The proof is in the pudding, as they say.

Cubene Anki Deck

Best for Psychology/Sociology (P/S)

Download the Cubene Anki deck here.

If you’re struggling with the P/S portion of the MCAT, then you definitely want to check out Cubene’s deck. When testing this deck out, I found it a little lighter on the harder sciences, but it’s still got a ton of great prep material for the social science portions of the MCAT.

For this reason, you might want to consider using Cubene supplementally in addition to one or more of the other Anki decks discussed here.

RebopBebop

Best for supplementing Kaplan MCAT prep materials

Download the RebopBebop Anki deck here.

As we’ve discussed here at Test Prep Nerds extensively in other MCAT guides, Kaplan is one of the more popular prep brands that students use to study for the MCAT.

Although it is a bit older than other Anki decks discussed here (born in 2016), RebopBebop’s deck is still relevant and exceptionally well put-together – ideal if you are using Kaplan’s prep materials. As you will see when you download the deck, the cards are arranged by chapter, so it’s really easy to follow along with the book to find the corresponding study materials in the deck.

Steven Pietrusza — the artist known as RebopBebop — also put together a highly reviewed MCAT study guide that I think is full of wise tidbits regarding how best to approach the test. You can find it here.

NextLevelColor

Best for preppers using UWorld materials

Download the NextLevelColor Anki deck here.

Number of Cards: 5,900
Year: 2018
Sources:AAMC Free Planning and Study Resources, UWorld, Kaplan
Add-on Required: Image Occlusion, Hierarchical Tags

At a roughly 5,900 card count, NextLevelColor is one of the more voluminous Anki decks out there.

This is also one of the rare popular Anki decks that heavily incorporates UWorld prep materials, so if you’re using UWorld, NextLevelColor’s deck compliments these study materials nicely.

The uploader – a (probably trustworthy) Canadian who self-reports a 519 score – has put together an extensive study scheduling/planning guide for anyone to go along with his Anki deck. So, if you crave structure and discipline in your study plan, this might be the best deck for you.

Vixxyn

2 nd best for comprehensive coverage of all MCAT topics

Download Vixxyn’s Anki deck here.

Number of Cards: 3,429
Year: 2016
Sources:sc4s2cg’s original Anki deck, AAMC prep materials
Add-on Required: N/A

This deck is an adaptation of another popular deck available on Reddit by sc4s2cg (linked above). The creator, Vixxyn, reported an impressive 528 on her test, crediting this flashcard set as one of the reasons (in addition to hard work).

The majority of the cards added by Vixxyn are grouped together in the “ZExpansion” category. All in all, this deck is highly comprehensive, but I think it is slightly less so than JackSparrow’s, but still impressive enough that I included it in this rundown.

Bouras

Most up to date MCAT Anki deck

Download the Bouras Anki deck here.

Number of Cards: 13,333
Year: 2020
Sources: Ortho528, MileDown, Khan Academy
Add-on Required: Hierarchical Tags 2

The Bouras deck is a treasure trove of the best decks from a handful of other creators featured here and study materials from Khan Academy, Science Simplified, and others, all rolled into one.

Download the Mitochondrialdna24 Anki deck here.

Mitochondrialdna24’s deck is another newer deck, released onto the web in 2020. It is a conglomeration of Kaplan’s prep books and RebobBebop’s excellent Anki deck that I profiled earlier.

The standout feature of this Anki deck that I appreciated is the division by topic and source material, which makes for easy organization and planning in terms of studying for specific portions of the test.

RECOMMENDED: Uva Average Mcat

Nyc_penguin

Simplest, easiest to follow

Download the Nyc_penguin Anki decks here.

This series of Anki decks made the list because of their simplicity. They are offered as a series of individual decks that you can pick and choose from, as you will see when you follow the link above. There is no add-on required, so you can just get straight to the point while focusing on whichever subject you choose.

Nyc_penguin also put together an impressive formula list that you can download here.

Tiramiwho

Best for a singular focus on physics

Download Tiramiwho’s Anki deck here.

Best for Kaplan MCAT Physics book users

This handy set of cards focuses solely on the physics equations you will need to master to ace the MCAT. Tiramiwho draws these materials from Kaplan. At 103 cards, this is by far the smallest deck featured here.

Anki MCAT Deck FAQs

Let’s briefly cover some of the more common questions I am asked about various aspects of Anki decks for the MCAT.

How do I use Anki for the MCAT?

Anki decks are best used as supplemental materials. Accordingly, you should view Anki decks are review materials once you have already covered some particular aspect of the MCAT.

Where can I find more of these Anki flashcards for the MCAT?

Reddit is the unofficial repository of Anki decks. Users share their personal experiences and frequently upload their own Anki decks, which may be all original or may be adaptations of previously produced decks. Check out this Reddit page for more.

Is Anki good for the MCAT?

Yes. Based on the experiences of dozens of MCAT preppers whom I have spoken with regarding their prep methods, as well as on common sense, Anki decks are the ideal digital adaptation of the classic flashcard method.

Which Anki deck is the best for MCAT?

This really depends on what you are looking for in an Anki deck. If, for example, you are simply looking for the most comprehensive deck, the JackSparrow2048 materials might be what the doctor ordered.

Do I need to make my own Anki cards for the MCAT?

No. The web is awash with Anki decks from the thousands of MCAT preppers who have created their own over the years – there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.

How do I add add-ons (sometimes called plugins) to Anki?

Installing Anki add-ons, or plugins, is relatively simple. This explainer article and explainer video should help you if you have trouble getting the necessary software installed to run. For the non-tech proficient, it just takes a little bit of patience to get the add-ons you need.

The Bottom Line on the Best Anki Decks for the MCAT in 2023

So, ultimately, your choice of Anki deck will depend on:

What prep materials you are using to study (you might want to use an Anki deck that corresponds to the company or book you are using).
Your areas of interest (different Anki decks focus on different subjects; some are all-inclusive)
Your learning style (i.e., are you a text-heavy or visual learner?)

There is no “one size fits all” in terms of a universally optimal Anki deck. As we explored in the rundown above, we each have unique learning styles and preferences, as well as individual weaknesses on various portions of the test (psych vs. chemistry, etc.).

Dominating the MCAT Pt. 7 | How I Scored a 132 on P/S

The surge of misinformation bringing question to the scientific enterprise has weaved its way into far more than politics and the pandemic. Far too many online MCAT gurus are propagating massively unrealistic expectations about what it takes to conquer this test; others are misguiding students to leverage suboptimal resources and inefficient study strategies.

I’ll separate the reality from the fluff.

This is the seventh article in this nine-article series – the Dominating the MCAT series – where I will distill everything I have learned in conquering my MCAT into a comprehensive, actionable framework that you can harness and tailor to optimize each aspect of your preparation and test-taking.

If you missed the first article, I would advise you to start there, where I lay three fundamental takeaways that students should carry forth from day one of their MCAT journey and background on my personal experience.

Some have said that the Psych/Soc section of the MCAT has increased in difficulty over the last few years.

I’m not sure what the truth is. However, I realized early on – especially after experiencing the more rigorous P/S section on AAMC FL 3 – that I needed to leverage a strategy that would set me up with three things:

A rigorous foundation in which the major P/S concepts were instilled within my long-term memory.
Retention of the most minute details described in the Khan Academy document and 100-page documents.
Tremendous confidence in my decision-making and processing of information, even when encountering new material that I hadn’t seen prior.

The problem with this section is that there is a very, very minute margin of error. While it is easier content-wise than the other science sections, to score a 131 or a 132, you cannot afford to make more than a few mistakes. Your critical thinking needs to be peaked and you need to be able to dissect details, encounter concepts and material that you have not seen before (as I did on test-day), and trust in your foundation and capacity to analyze information given context. You need to leverage a strategy that will equip you with a robust foundation and ensure that you have the confidence on test day to navigate this decision-making process.

The strategy I used has not been described elsewhere and many people might critique this, but ultimately, it empowered me to earn a 132 on test day – and P/S was never my strong suit beforehand. This strategy is designed in such a manner that your foundation will be strongest in the few days out from your official exam – I recognized this and trusted this process, embracing the fact that there was room for improvement until the very last week of my MCAT journey. I knew that this strategy would translate into me doing better on test-day than I was in the weeks prior.

1 | Rigorous Foundation of Major Concepts | Long-Term Memory

To develop a rigorous foundation of the major Psych/Soc concepts, I leveraged Memm in the beginning of my preparation. I did not read any review book; instead, I dived right into leveraging these cards as a learning tool.

When it comes to this section, do not waste your time watching the Khan Academy videos or reading the K/A document or 100-page guide early on thinking that they will give you a comprehensive foundation into this section. You’re inevitably going to forget most of what you learned and this passive, less-engaging approach will not instill the major concepts in your long-term memory efficiently.

RECOMMENDED: Mcat Periodic Table

As students, we’re all reluctant to do away with note-taking, reading, and watching videos because we want our learning process to feel comfortable and linear. However, when it comes to mastering these P/S concepts, you should dive right into answering flashcards. This principle of delving right into questions – even for things that you haven’t learned deeply or even seen before – is a key principle of optimizing for efficiency.

Most of us have context on this material even if we haven’t taken a Psych/Soc class, and these flashcards can be leveraged directly as a learning tool instead of solely as a spaced repetition tool. The comprehensive reviews integrated into Memm provide a thorough lens into these topics contextually so you don’t have to memorize facts in isolation the way you’d have to with Anki. You can work through a set of cards, and each time you make a mistake, you can visit the excerpt of the information below and make sense of that piece of information within the broader picture that the excerpt will paint.

Halfway into my preparation, after learning and instilling the information on Memm’s flashcards into my long-term memory, I leveraged Anki Psych/Soc (Milesdown deck) to work through a second presentation of the material. The context was slightly different, and this secondary layer of exposure allowed me to reinforce ideas on a deeper level.

From there, I started using UWorld one month out. This gave me ample opportunity to apply everything I had learned and to make sense of lower-yield concepts and details that I had missed beforehand. Upon reflection, I should not have waited this long to complete UWorld – it would have been better to do it earlier after completion of Memm and do a second pass of it towards the end of my journey.

After completing UWorld and these decks, and working through them regularly every single day, the major concepts that I needed to master to score at least a 129+ on AAMC material were instilled within my long-term memory.

That said, there was still a good chance that I’d face minor concepts or minute details on test-day that I needed to learn. This is where the K/A document and the 100-page document come in.

2 | Minor Details and Low Yield Concepts | Short-Term Memory

I strongly advise that students hold off on reading these two documents until the weeks leading up to their exam, largely because the sheer volume of information in these two documents and the extreme level of detail means that if you were to study the material early on, you’d forget it.

Unlike Memm, Anki, and UWorld, these sacred P/S documents are massively long, and reading them is a passive learning strategy – you’ll forget details and won’t be engaged with the material in a meaningful manner. If you hold off towards the end of your journey, you can cram the information into your short-term memory.

Two or three weeks out from my test, I started working through these documents every night. Admittedly, I didn’t finish the K/A document, and I just skimmed the 100-page document, but I was focused on identifying details that I hadn’t seen before and incorporating them into my short-term memory. I didn’t put as much focus on the big-picture concepts that I knew I had a strong familiarity with.

Working through these documents early on is a bigger trade-off than most students realize. The immense amount of time that has to be dedicated to reading these thoroughly could be better spent elsewhere – and the information you’ll have learned early on won’t be retained.

Using Memm, Anki, and UWorld will instill the highest-yield information into your long term memory, and then these documents can be leveraged (and your short-term memory exploited) to learn and retain minor details until completion of your official MCAT. This requires holding off until the very end, and embracing the fact that your foundation will be strongest in the days leading up to test day.

3 | My Technique for Ensuring Confidence – The Key to a 132

For some, this can be demoralizing. However, if you can embrace the difficulty and keep in mind that it is several steps higher than the difficulty of the AAMC practice tests, then you can use this section bank to facilitate a comfortable transition into the P/S section on test day.

By working on this in the days prior to your official exam, the level of difficulty will have substantial contrast from the level of difficulty you’ll encounter on test day. Personally, this strategy enabled me to transition into my P/S section on test day very, very comfortably, and the psychological benefit this imparts – the confidence that you’ll feel working through the first set of questions on the official exam – can be sustained throughout the section as you ride that momentum.

Given that this was the last section of my MCAT, I pushed hard and I didn’t allow myself any breaks in the midst of the section on test day. The confidence I felt in my decision-making process also gave me a sense of comfort that I sustained. I marked every question I struggled with and I even encountered questions where I was presented with concepts that I hadn’t seen before.

Fortunately, the confidence that was imparted from this strategy left me grounded. I was able to face these questions and analyze them critically – for two of them, I chose concepts that I had not seen before as answers because I trusted my analysis of the question stem, the passage, and the context – which left me thinking that there were certain nuances that didn’t align with the other answer choices as well as they potentially could have had the concept I hadn’t seen before been defined a certain way.

To some degree, I got lucky because to earn a 132 there is a very minor margin of error and I had to guess these questions correctly. However, they weren’t raw guesses – they were founded on a conscious inclination given the nuances in the passage, and I left this section feeling more confident than I ever had before on a P/S section.

With the sheer rigor of that bank of questions, the volume of information you’ve crammed into your head reading the documents in the last few weeks, and the thousands of cards you’ve memorized over the preceding months, you’ll be going into test-day ready to dominate this last section if you use this strategy.