How to make active recall WORK for you | Anki and Brainscape, by varsha on YouTube. 7 min 55 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 55 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Gather your notes, slides and textbook chapters for one topic before you start. Active recall only works when you have clear source material to turn into questions.
Read a short section and close the notes. Then write down what you remember without looking, and check what you missed.
Turn each fact into a question with a short answer, such as "What enzyme breaks down starch?" instead of a copied sentence.
Install Anki and create a deck named after your subject or exam. Add each question as a Basic card with the question on the front and the answer on the back.
For diagrams, install the Image Occlusion Enhanced add-on in Anki. Load the image, hide the labels you need to recall, and save the card.
Or open Brainscape, create a class and a deck, and type your question on one side and the answer on the other.
Review your deck daily and answer out loud before flipping the card. Rate each card honestly so the app schedules it again at the right time.
Ask seniors or classmates for their notes on topics you find hard, then add new questions from them to your deck.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep each card to one fact so you can answer it in a few seconds.
Write the answer in your own words instead of copying the textbook.
Review a little every day rather than cramming a whole deck the night before.
Delete or edit cards you keep failing, since a confusing card wastes review time.
Questions
Do I need both Anki and Brainscape?
No. Pick one app and use it consistently. Anki is free and good for large decks, while Brainscape is simpler for quick setup.
How many new cards should I add each day?
Start with 10 to 20 new cards a day so reviews stay manageable. Add more once your daily reviews feel easy.
Can I use active recall without an app?
Yes. Write questions on paper, cover the answers, and test yourself. The app mainly helps with scheduling and tracking.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
