INVISTA NO SEU SUCESSO:
Welcome to this super-detailed tutorial on how to use Anki and the AnKing Overhaul Deck to prepare for the USMLE Step 1 exam! This guide is made for absolute beginners—think of someone who’s never used a computer before, like a grandparent who’s just starting out. I’ll explain everything step-by-step, with simple words and examples from everyday life (like watering plants or cooking), so you feel confident even if technology feels scary. Whether you use a Windows computer or a Mac, I’ll give instructions for both whenever they’re different. At the top, you’ll find links to three helpful videos by Lucas Mitre to watch if you want extra help. Let’s get started!
Before we dive in, here are three videos that can guide you visually. Click the titles to watch:
Anki is a free computer program that helps you memorize things using digital flashcards. It’s like having a stack of note cards, but smarter! Anki uses something called spaced repetition, which means it shows you information just when you’re about to forget it. This makes learning stick in your brain without wasting time.
Example: Imagine you’re trying to remember a friend’s phone number. If you repeat it every day, even when you already know it, you’re working too hard. But if you wait too long, you forget it. Anki figures out the perfect time to remind you—like a friendly nudge right before you’d lose it.
Anki is free on computers (Windows and Mac) and Android phones. It only costs money on iPhones or iPads, but you don’t need those to start—we’ll focus on your computer.
The AnKing Overhaul Deck is a huge set of ready-made flashcards for medical students studying for the USMLE Step 1 (and Step 2). It’s packed with info from books and videos like First Aid, Pathoma, Sketchy, and UWorld—all the big stuff you need to know for the exam. Someone already made these cards for you, so you don’t have to start from scratch.
Example: Think of it like a cookbook with all the best recipes from famous chefs. You don’t have to invent the dishes—just follow the steps, and you’ll ace your cooking (or your exam!).
Before you can study, you need to get Anki on your computer and add the AnKing Deck. Don’t worry—I’ll walk you through every click, like I’m sitting next to you.
Step 1: Download Anki
You’ll get Anki from its official website using a web browser—that’s the program you use to go on the internet, like Google Chrome or Safari.
For Windows Users:
Turn on your computer: Press the power button (usually on the front of a desktop or on a laptop’s keyboard). Wait for the screen to light up.
Open a browser: Look on your desktop (the main screen) for an icon like a blue “e” (Microsoft Edge) or a red-yellow-green circle (Google Chrome). Double-click it with the left mouse button.
Go to the website: At the top, there’s a long bar. Click inside it, type https://apps.ankiweb.net/, and press Enter (the key with a bent arrow).
Find the Download button: You’ll see a simple page with a gray background and a blue star. Click the green Download button in the middle.
Pick Windows: The page scrolls down. Click Download Anki for Windows. A file like anki-24.11-windows.exe starts downloading. Wait until it’s done (you might see it at the bottom of the browser).
For Mac Users:
Turn on your Mac: Press the power button (top-right on a MacBook keyboard or behind an iMac screen). Wait for it to start.
Open a browser: Look at the Dock (the bar of icons at the bottom). Find a compass (Safari) or a colorful circle (Chrome). Click it once.
Go to the website: In the top bar, type https://apps.ankiweb.net/ and press Return (like Enter, with an arrow).
Find the Download button: On the gray page with a blue star, click Download.
Pick Mac: When it scrolls, click Download Anki for macOS. A file like anki-24.11-macos.dmg downloads. Wait for it.
Watch Out: If you see “Anki Pro” or ads, skip them! The real Anki has a gray logo with a blue star.
Step 2: Install Anki
Now, let’s put Anki on your computer—like unpacking a box and setting it up.
For Windows:
Close the browser: Click the red “X” in the top-right corner.
Open File Explorer: On your desktop, find a yellow folder icon (File Explorer). Double-click it.
Find the file: On the left, click Downloads. Look for anki-24.11-windows.exe and double-click it.
Say yes: If a pop-up asks, “Do you want to allow this app…?”, click Yes.
Install it: A window opens. Click Next, then I Agree, then Install. Wait a bit (seconds or minutes).
Finish: Click Finish. Anki is ready!
For Mac:
Close the browser: Click the red circle (top-left).
Open Finder: In the Dock, click the smiley face (Finder).
Find the file: Click Downloads on the left. Double-click anki-24.11-macos.dmg.
Move it: A window shows the Anki icon and an Applications folder. Drag the Anki icon to the folder and wait.
Open it: In Finder, go to Applications, find Anki, and double-click. If it says “unidentified developer,” click OK, then go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy and click Open Anyway.
Step 3: Open Anki
Windows: Double-click the Anki icon on your desktop (gray with a blue star). Or click Start (bottom-left), type “Anki,” and click it.
Mac: In Applications, double-click Anki.
If you see a gray screen with a blue star and “Default” written, Anki is working!
Step 4: Create an AnkiWeb Account
AnkiWeb saves your flashcards online (in the “cloud”) so you don’t lose them and can use them on other devices.
Open Anki.
Click Sync (two arrows in a circle, top-right).
A box pops up. Click Sign up.
Your browser opens. Type your email (e.g., yourname@gmail.com) and a password (e.g., anki1234). Write it down!
Click Sign up.
Check your email for a message from AnkiWeb. Click the link inside.
Back in Anki, type your email and password, then click OK.
Now your flashcards sync online. Click Sync every time you finish studying to save!
Step 1: Get the AnKing Deck
The AnKing Deck isn’t in Anki—you download it separately.
Open your browser.
Type https://www.ankihub.net/ and press Enter/Return.
Find the AnKing Overhaul Deck. You’ll need to pay $5 for one month to get the latest version. Sign up, pay, and download the .apkg file.
Tip: Cancel after a month if you want. For free older versions, check reddit.com/r/medicalschoolanki, but AnkiHub is best.
Step 2: Add It to Anki
Windows:
Open Anki.
Click File (top-left) > Import.
In the window, click Downloads (left), find the .apkg file, and click Open.
Wait a moment. It’ll appear on the main screen.
Mac:
Open Anki.
Click File (top of your screen) > Import.
Click Downloads, pick the .apkg file, and click Open.
Wait—it’s in Anki now!
The AnKing Deck has thousands of cards, but it’s organized to help you study.
Sub-decks: Like folders, it splits cards into subjects (e.g., Anatomy) and body systems (e.g., Cardiology).
Content: Cards come from First Aid, Pathoma, Sketchy, and UWorld—all key for Step 1.
Example: It’s a big filing cabinet. Each drawer (sub-deck) holds cards for one topic, like “Heart” or “Bones.”
Tags: Labels on cards (e.g., “FirstAid” or “Cardiology”) let you find specific topics.
How to Use: Search tags to study just what you need, like all heart-related cards.
Example: Tags are like sticky notes saying “Heart Stuff” or “Lung Stuff” to sort your pile.
Let’s plan how to use AnKing for Step 1.
Check Your Time: How many days until your exam? (e.g., 6 months = 180 days).
Daily Goals: Try 50-100 new cards daily. Start small if that’s too much.
Rest Days: Take one day off each week to recharge.
Example: In 6 months, do 50 cards a day, 5 days a week, resting weekends.
Match Lectures: Unsuspend (activate) cards for what you’re learning in class (e.g., “Cardiology” during heart week).
Pre-Read: Look at cards before class to get a head start.
Review After: Go over cards after class to lock it in.
Focus on what’s tested most on Step 1. Check First Aid for these and study those cards first.
Example: If “heart failure” is big, unsuspend those cards early.
Anki has settings to control how many cards you see. Let’s adjust them.
New Cards: Click the gear next to AnKing Deck > Options. Set “New cards/day” to 50 or 100.
Intervals: Leave “Interval modifier” at 1.0 for now.
Example: It’s like setting how much water your plant gets daily—enough to grow, not drown.
Review Limit: No limit yet, but if reviews pile up, set it (e.g., 200/day).
Ease: Keep “Starting ease” at 250%. This decides how fast cards space out.
Add-ons are like phone apps that make Anki cooler. Here’s how to get them:
In Anki, click Tools > Add-ons > Get Add-ons.
Type these codes and restart Anki:
Image Occlusion (1374772155): Hide parts of pictures (great for anatomy).
Hierarchical Tags (1089921461): Sort tags like a tree.
Heatmap (1771074083): See your study days on a calendar.
Example: Add-ons are tools—like a watering can or fertilizer—for your Anki “garden.”
Here’s how to use AnKing every day.
Cards start suspended (hidden). Unsuspend them to study:
Open Anki, click AnKing Deck.
Click Browse.
In the search bar, type a tag (e.g., “Pathoma_Chapter1”). Press Enter/Return.
Select all cards:
Windows: Ctrl + A.
Mac: Cmd + A.
Right-click, choose Toggle Suspend (or Ctrl + J / Cmd + J). They’re active now!
Back on the main screen, click the deck to study.
Tip: Understand the card, don’t just memorize. Check First Aid if confused.
Anki shows reviews in green. Do them all daily.
Before flipping, think of the answer—it builds memory.
Sketchy: Watch a video (e.g., antibiotics), then review “SketchyPharm” cards.
Pathoma: After a heart lecture, unsuspend “Pathoma_Cardiology” cards.
UWorld: If you miss a question, find or make a card for it.
Example: It’s like watching a cooking show, then practicing the recipe with Anki.
Too Many Cards: Lower new cards to 50 and keep going daily.
Not Understanding: Use books/videos first—Anki is for review, not first learning.
Burnout: Take breaks or mix in UWorld questions.
Study Groups: Study with friends to stay on track.
Progress: Use the Heatmap add-on to see your streak.
Example: It’s like counting days you watered your plant—feels good to see progress!
Click Add in Anki.
Type a question in “Front” (e.g., “What causes diabetes?”) and answer in “Back” (e.g., “Insulin issues”).
Add pictures with Image Occlusion.
Example: Make a card for a topic you keep forgetting.
In Browse, click a card, hit Edit, and tweak it (add notes, simplify).
Custom Study: Focus on one tag (e.g., “Cardiology”).
Filtered Decks: Make a deck for weak spots or high-yield stuff.
Using Anki and the AnKing Deck is like planting a garden: set it up, water it daily (study), and watch it grow (your knowledge). Stick with it, understand the cards, and you’ll rock the USMLE Step 1. It’s not about doing tons of cards—it’s about remembering them. Happy studying!