Wondering how many Anki cards you should review each day for the MCAT? Learn how to balance new cards, daily reviews, and long-term retention with a sustainable Anki Remote study system.
There Isn't One Perfect Number
One of the most common questions MCAT students ask is:
"How many Anki cards should I review each day?"
The honest answer is: it depends on your study stage, your schedule, and how consistently you've been reviewing.
Many students focus on hitting an arbitrary number—100, 300, or even 500 cards per day. But the goal isn't to review the most cards. The goal is to remember the information when you need it.
At Anki Remote, now StudyRemote, we've seen that the most successful students build a sustainable review habit instead of chasing daily card counts.
If you're new to Anki, start with our guide on How to Use Anki as a Premed Student to build a strong foundation before optimizing your daily reviews.
If you're planning to use Anki throughout your MCAT preparation, you can also compare the available StudyRemote models on our pricing page to find the setup that fits your study routine.
What Counts as an Anki Review?
Before deciding how many cards to study, it's important to understand the difference between new cards and review cards.
New Cards
These introduce concepts you've never studied before.
Examples include:
- Amino acids
- Glycolysis
- Organic chemistry reactions
- Physics equations
New cards require more effort. You're learning the material for the first time.
Review Cards
These are cards Anki schedules using spaced repetition.
Their purpose is simple:
Keep information in your long-term memory.
Daily reviews are where most of your learning happens.
Focus on Reviews Before Adding More New Cards
A common mistake is adding dozens of new cards every day, ignoring the growing review queue.
That usually leads to:
- Hundreds of overdue cards
- Longer study sessions
- Burnout
- Falling behind
Instead, follow a simple rule:
Complete your due reviews before introducing new cards.
This keeps your workload manageable and allows Anki's spaced repetition algorithm to work as intended.
Recommended Daily Card Counts
There's no universal target, but these ranges work well for many students.
| Study Phase | New Cards | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Early Content Review | 20–40 | 100–200 |
| Mid MCAT Prep | 10–30 | 200–300 |
| Dedicated Study Period | 0–20 | 300–500+ |
Remember, these are guidelines—not goals. Your ideal workload depends on how much time you have and how consistently you've been reviewing.
Quality Matters More Than Quantity
Reviewing 500 cards doesn't automatically make you better prepared than someone reviewing 200.
Ask yourself:
- Did I actively recall the answer?
- Did I understand why I got a card wrong?
- Could I explain the concept without looking?
Active recall—not card count—is what strengthens memory.
What If You're Falling Behind?
Every Anki user eventually misses a day.
The important thing is not to panic.
Instead:
- Resume your daily reviews.
- Reduce new cards temporarily.
- Focus on consistency rather than clearing everything in one marathon session.
Trying to finish an entire backlog in one day often leads to fatigue and lower retention.
A Simple Daily MCAT Anki Routine
Here's an example workflow that many students find sustainable.
Morning
- Complete all due reviews.
Afternoon
- Attend lectures or complete content review.
- Solve practice questions.
Evening
- Add a small number of new cards.
- Review missed questions.
- Finish remaining reviews.
Short, consistent sessions are usually more effective than occasional marathon study days.
How StudyRemote Supports Daily Reviews
Long Anki sessions can involve hundreds of repetitive keyboard presses.
StudyRemote (formerly Anki Remote) helps simplify that experience by allowing students to navigate Anki flashcards more comfortably during extended review sessions.
It doesn't replace an effective study system—it simply supports one by making long review sessions easier to maintain.
For a comparison of popular options, read: Best Anki Clicker in 2026
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these habits:
- Adding too many new cards too quickly
- Skipping daily reviews
- Memorizing without understanding
- Constantly changing Anki settings
- Studying until you're mentally exhausted
Consistency beats intensity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 500 Anki cards per day too many?
Not necessarily. If most of the review cards are mature and you're answering them efficiently, 500 reviews may be reasonable during dedicated MCAT preparation. The right number depends on your workload and consistency.
Should I finish all my reviews every day?
Whenever possible, yes. Completing your due reviews helps Anki schedule future cards effectively and prevents your backlog from growing.
Should I add new cards every day?
Only after you've completed your due reviews. Adding too many new cards before managing your reviews can quickly become overwhelming.
How long should an Anki session take?
Most students benefit from one to three focused review sessions throughout the day rather than a single long session.
Final Takeaway
There's no magic number of Anki cards that guarantees a high MCAT score.
The students who get the most from Anki aren't necessarily reviewing the most cards—they're reviewing consistently.
Prioritize your due reviews, add new cards at a sustainable pace, and focus on understanding the material rather than racing through your deck.
Over time, those small daily habits build the long-term retention that Anki is designed to support.
Continue Building Your MCAT Study System
Recommended reading:
- How to Study Biology as a Premed
- How to Study Chemistry as a Premed
- How to Study Organic Chemistry as a Premed
- How to Study Biochemistry as a Premed
- Best Anki Settings for MCAT
- How to Make Better Anki MCAT Flashcards
-
Best Anki MCAT Decks in 2026
