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Anki Guide

NYU Grossman School of Medicine faculty have created Anki flashcards for the preclinical curriculum. These are faculty-reviewed flashcards you can download and use, matching what you learn. Use this guide to learn more about Anki

What is Anki?

What is Anki?

Many incoming students start medical school already using Anki. However, if you are new to Anki, this guide will give you some introductory resources you can use to get started.

Anki is an open source flashcard program that uses spaced repetition, a technique proven to enhance memorization and learning [1].

Why should I know about it?

NYU Grossman School of Medicine faculty have created Anki flashcards for the preclinical curriculum. These are faculty-reviewed flashcards you can download and use, matching what you learn. To take advantage of this resource, make sure you have Anki installed.

 

We curated a few videos and resources below to help you.

 

Anki Tips

Download Anki and adjust your settings

 

Tips for reviewing flashcards

References:

Smolen P, Zhang Y, Byrne JH. The right time to learn: mechanisms and optimization of spaced learning. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2016 Feb;17(2):77-88. doi: 10.1038/nrn.2015.18. PMID: 26806627; PMCID: PMC5126970.

How to Install the AMBOSS add-on

Instructions

Follow these steps to download and install the AMBOSS Add-on:

  1. Step 1: Open Anki and go to the "Tools" menu.
  2. Step 2: Select "Add-ons" from the dropdown menu.
  3. Step 3: Click on "Get Add-ons" and search for "AMBOSS".
  4. Step 4: Click on "AMBOSS" from the search results and click "OK" to install.
  5. Step 5: Restart Anki to activate the AMBOSS Add-on.

Watch the video below for a visual guide on how to download and install the AMBOSS Add-on.

Reference:

AMBOSS. (n.d.). Download Add-on Course. Retrieved from https://www.amboss.com/us/anki-amboss/download-add-on-course

How to Install the UpToDate Add-on

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Make sure you are using the latest version of Anki.
  2. Step 2: Download the UpToDate for Anki Add-on.
    • To access the UpToDate for Anki Add-on, you will need to have an existing UpToDate account (provided through
      NYU HSL): https://hslguides.med.nyu.edu/uptodate
    • Select the My Account drop-down in the top right navigation and select UpToDate for Anki Add-on.
  3. Step 3: Install the Add-on.
    • Select the blue UpToDate for Anki Add-on button to download and install the add-on to your computer. Click Yes in the Install Anki add on pop-up to accept the download.
  4. Step 4: Restart Anki.
  5. Step 5: Once Anki has restarted, the UpToDate logo will appear in the top bar.

Anki & AMBOSS Qbank Integration

  1. Make sure you the latest Anki version 2installed on your machine
  2. Update your Anki AMBOSS add-on by clicking on "Update now" when you receive the update notification in Anki.
  3. Ensure that you are logged into the add-on with your AMBOSS account to receive the notification.
  4. If you haven't received the update notification, confirm that you have Anki v2.1.35 or higher installed.
  5. If you encounter any issues, reach out to the support team via their webpage.

To access the Anki & Qbank Integration:

  1. Using the new Qbank Widget:

    • Start a new AMBOSS Qbank session based on the content of the Anki cards that you have most recently matured (interval for reviewing those cards is 21 days or greater).
  2. Through the Browse window of Anki:

    • Find AMBOSS Questions based on topics, existing tags, or any group of selected cards from within the Browser window.
    • Select a group of Anki cards and click on the "Start Qbank session" button next to the search bar.
    • Choose the question status (unanswered, answered correctly or incorrectly), difficulty level, and number of questions.
    • Launch a new session.

 

Anki q bank screenshot