What is Spaced Repetition and Why it’s SO Important for USMLE?

This blog was originally published on Jun 25th, 2020, and was updated in 2024 by Ria Patel.

Spaced Repetition for USMLE and MCAT Practice

Studying for a standardized exam such as USMLE and MCAT often lends itself to resource overload and disorganization. This can be in the form of too many video resources, multiple question banks, etc. There are many different modalities of information consumption, and not every modality sets you up to retain information well. The question we need to ask during exam prep is: how are we using active recall to remember information? The human brain, while astounding in its capability and function, can only remember a certain amount of information before it forgets concepts that recently seemed so familiar. There is often a discrepancy between perception of retention of material and actual retention of material. So, what could we do to turn that perception into reality?

The answer is simple: spaced repetition. The concept of spaced repetition has been around for years but more recently, it has come into particular focus within many circles dedicated to understanding learning and retention. In commonly used software packages (including Anki), the idea of spaced repetition is utilized to enable users to remember key concepts efficiently.

What is Spaced Repetition?

At its core, spaced repetition is a learning technique that involves reviewing new concepts at increasingly longer intervals to optimize retention. Furthermore, it involves progressively spacing out concepts that are relatively strong further and further into time while re-introducing topics that are relatively weak in a shorter interval in between. How does one keep track of what concepts are strong versus what concepts are weak?

Anki as a Spaced Repetition Tool

When it comes to USMLE prep, we believe that Anki Flashcards are the ideal spaced repetition tool. This free software allows you to create digital flashcards for key concepts, tracking your progress and adjusting the review schedule based on your performance. As you rate your confidence in each card, Anki’s algorithm will resurface challenging topics more frequently, while easier ones are revisited less often.

For advanced users, Anki offers customizable settings to fine-tune the review process, including the number of daily reviews and repetition frequency. However, we recommend exploring these features only after gaining experience with the platform.

The beauty of Anki lies in its ability to streamline your learning process, saving you time and effort in the long run. However, this approach requires a consistent daily commitment to reviewing your cards. Missing even one or two days of reviews will stockpile reviews on the day that you choose to go back to using Anki, and skew the algorithm to be inaccurate. Read our dedicated blog on utilizing Anki for USMLE for more tips!

What is the 7-3-2-1 method and how does it differ from spaced repetition?

The 7-3-2-1 method involves reviewing a topic on day 1, then again on day 2, day 3, and finally on day 7. This approach leverages the psychological concept that reviewing content in the first few days of learning enhances retention. While both methods aim to optimize memory retention, spaced repetition takes a more nuanced approach, stretching the review period over a longer timeframe.

For example, if you review an Anki flashcard on day 1, you will likely see it again on day 2 since it is a brand new concept to you and you will not have gotten the Anki card correct. On day 2, if you forget the concept, you will then send the card to the review stack for day 3. If you remembered the card, you will likely see the card again on day 4. In this way, you have employed a spaced repetition strategy while also reviewing the same concept two days in a row.

How do I target the best number of Anki cards per day?

There comes a point where if one makes too few Anki cards, they will not be learning enough of the high-yield concepts. If one makes too many, they will not have enough time to focus their attention on the most important concepts. So, how do you find the sweet spot?

One effective approach is to limit your Anki cards by creating only one card per UWorld question, and only for concepts that are unfamiliar to you. This strategy helps you prioritize the most critical information gaps. By doing so, you’ll focus on high-yield concepts that need attention.

There is no one formula to determine how many cards to do per day and which spaced repetition algorithm works best for an individual student. However, the more you use Anki, the faster you’ll become at reviewing cards, and the more you’ll be able to increase your daily review capacity. Additionally, you will become more savvy with the software and able to change settings to your liking based on what works for you and what can be improved in the software to support your learning goals best. 

Spaced repetition is critical to achieving success on the MCAT and/or USMLE exams. The addition of spaced repetition to an organized study plan can make all the difference in your performance. As always, if you are interested in learning how to use spaced repetition or better organize your study with 1-on-1 private tutoring, don’t hesitate to contact us.