Here's the problem with PTBB/STBB Biology: It's packed with facts that you simply have to memorize. The parts of the heart. The steps of the Krebs cycle. The specific enzymes in each pathway. The empirical values — 38 ATP per glucose, 9.5 pH of gastric acid, the exact diameter of a microtubule.
You can't reason your way through these questions. You either know the fact, or you don't. And reading the same textbook chapter five times is one of the least efficient ways to memorize anything.
Spaced repetition — implemented through Anki — is the solution. It's an evidence-based learning technique that schedules reviews at increasing intervals, showing you difficult cards more frequently and mastered cards less often[reference:0]. The Ebbinghaus forgetting curve shows that memory decays rapidly unless reactivated through review[reference:1]. Anki is designed specifically to beat that curve.
The key insight: Anki isn't just digital flashcards. It's a scheduling system that ensures you see each fact at the exact moment you're about to forget it. This is the most efficient way to memorize rote content — and PTBB/STBB Biology is full of rote content.
Image Occlusion: Mastering Anatomical Diagrams
PTBB and STBB Biology textbooks are full of diagrams — the heart, nephron, eye, ear, brain, flower anatomy, and countless others. Memorizing these diagrams by staring at them is inefficient. Image Occlusion is the solution.
Image Occlusion lets you create flashcards from diagrams by hiding parts of an image[reference:2]. You upload an image, select areas to cover (like labels or specific structures), and Anki generates cards that test your knowledge of the hidden information[reference:3].
How to Set Up Image Occlusion
- Install the Image Occlusion Enhanced add-on — This is a community-developed add-on that provides a more intuitive interface than the built-in feature. Download it from the AnkiWeb add-on page.
- Take a screenshot of the diagram — Use your textbook's diagram or a clear digital version. Paste it into Anki using the Image Occlusion note type.
- Select areas to occlude — Use the rectangle or freeform tool to cover labels, structures, or specific parts of the diagram. Each occluded area becomes a separate card.
- Generate cards — Anki creates individual cards for each occluded area, testing you on the hidden information one piece at a time.
Original Image: A labelled diagram of the human heart showing the atria, ventricles, valves, and major vessels.
Occluded Areas: You cover the labels for "Right Atrium," "Left Ventricle," "Aorta," and "Pulmonary Artery."
Resulting Cards: Each covered label becomes a separate card — "What is this structure?" with the diagram showing only the occluded area.
Pro tip: Don't occlude everything at once. Start with major structures, then add smaller details as you master them. The goal is to build your mental map of the diagram incrementally.
Cloze Deletion: Memorizing Empirical Values and Textbook Facts
Cloze deletion is a fill-in-the-blank format that's perfect for the dry, factual content in PTBB/STBB Biology[reference:4]. You replace key terms with {{c1::}} placeholders, and Anki tests you on the missing information.
This is ideal for:
- Empirical values: "The net gain of ATP from one glucose molecule is {{c1::38}}."
- Specific dates and discoveries: "The structure of DNA was discovered in {{c1::1953}}."
- Enzyme names: "The enzyme that converts glucose-6-phosphate to fructose-6-phosphate is {{c1::phosphoglucoisomerase}}."
- One-line factual statements: "The human heart has {{c1::four}} chambers."
How to Create Cloze Deletion Cards
- Select the note type "Cloze" when creating a new card in Anki.
- Write your sentence with the key information replaced by
{{c1::answer}}. - Add context in the "Extra" field — this is optional but helpful for understanding the broader concept.
Front (Cloze): "The net ATP yield from aerobic respiration of one glucose molecule is {{c1::38}}."
Back: "38 ATP"
Extra: "Glycolysis produces 2 ATP, Krebs cycle produces 2 ATP, and oxidative phosphorylation produces 34 ATP. Total = 38 ATP."
The rule: Keep Cloze deletions atomic. One fact per card. Don't create a card like "The Krebs cycle produces {{c1::2}} ATP, {{c2::6}} NADH, and {{c3::2}} FADH₂" — that's three facts on one card. Split them into separate cards for better retention.
Advanced Cloze Strategy: Multiple Clozes Per Card
If you must include multiple facts in one sentence, use numbered clozes — {{c1::}} , {{c2::}} , etc. Anki will generate separate cards for each cloze.
Card: "The Krebs cycle produces {{c1::2}} ATP, {{c2::6}} NADH, and {{c3::2}} FADH₂ per glucose molecule."
Resulting Cards:
Card 1: "The Krebs cycle produces {{c1::2}} ATP, 6 NADH, and 2 FADH₂ per glucose molecule."
Card 2: "The Krebs cycle produces 2 ATP, {{c2::6}} NADH, and 2 FADH₂ per glucose molecule."
Card 3: "The Krebs cycle produces 2 ATP, 6 NADH, and {{c3::2}} FADH₂ per glucose molecule."
Why USMLE Decks (Like AnKing) Will Destroy Your MDCAT Score
This is the single biggest mistake MDCAT students make: they download a massive USMLE deck like AnKing and start studying. This is a catastrophic error.
The AnKing deck is designed for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). It contains thousands of cards on biochemistry pathways, pharmacology, clinical medicine, and other topics that are completely outside the MDCAT syllabus.
MDCAT is based on the FSc curriculum — specifically, the PTBB and STBB textbooks[reference:5]. The PMDC has explicitly stated that the MDCAT syllabus is built on the "singular principle that no topic is outside any of the existing recognized syllabi of FSC in Pakistan"[reference:6].
The math of wasted effort: AnKing has over 30,000 cards. MDCAT Biology is 81 MCQs from a specific, limited syllabus. Studying AnKing means spending hours memorizing content that will never appear on your exam — while neglecting the content that actually matters.
What's Actually in the MDCAT Biology Syllabus?
The MDCAT Biology syllabus is drawn from FSc Part 1 and Part 2 Biology[reference:7]. This includes:
- Biological Molecules
- Enzymes
- Cell Biology
- Variety of Life
- Kingdom Prokaryotae, Protista, and Fungi
- Kingdom Plantae and Animalia
- Bioenergetics
- Nutrition and Gas Exchange
- Transport
- Coordination and Control
- Support and Movement
- Reproduction
- Growth and Development
- Genetics and Evolution
Notice what's not on this list: pharmacology, advanced biochemistry pathways (beyond the basics), clinical medicine, and the vast majority of USMLE content.
The rule: If it's not in your PTBB/STBB textbook, it's not on the MDCAT. Don't waste a single minute on USMLE decks. They are designed for a completely different exam with a completely different syllabus.
What Decks Should You Actually Use?
There are a few decks specifically designed for MDCAT Biology. Look for decks that are:
- Based on PTBB or STBB textbooks — Not on international curricula
- Focused on the FSc syllabus — Not on USMLE or MCAT content
- Chapter-aligned — So you can study alongside your textbook
Some MDCAT-specific decks exist on AnkiWeb, including one with over 1,600 cards for MDCAT Biology in Pakistan[reference:8]. However, always verify that the content matches your provincial board's textbook.
Warning: Even MDCAT-specific decks may contain errors or outdated information. The safest approach is to create your own cards directly from your PTBB/STBB textbook. This forces you to engage with the material actively, and you know the content is 100% syllabus-aligned.
Creating Your Own MDCAT Biology Anki Deck: A Step-by-Step Framework
How Many Cards Should You Make?
Aim for 300-500 cards per Biology chapter. That might sound like a lot, but remember: each card is testing one specific fact. The entire PTBB/STBB Biology syllabus can be covered in 2,000-3,000 well-made cards. That's entirely manageable over a 3-6 month preparation period.
Pro tip: Don't try to create all your cards at once. Create cards as you study each chapter. This keeps your workload manageable and ensures you're creating high-quality cards rather than rushing through the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is spaced repetition and why is it effective for MDCAT Biology?
Spaced repetition is an evidence-based learning technique that involves revisiting information at increasing intervals[reference:9]. It's based on the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve, which shows that memory decays rapidly unless reactivated through review[reference:10]. Anki implements this algorithm automatically, showing difficult cards more frequently and mastered cards less often.
What is Image Occlusion in Anki and how do I use it?
Image Occlusion lets you create flashcards from diagrams by hiding parts of an image[reference:11]. You upload an image (like an anatomy diagram or biochemical pathway), select areas to cover[reference:12], and Anki generates cards that test your knowledge of the hidden information. It's ideal for PTBB/STBB diagrams like the heart, nephron, or Krebs cycle.
What is Cloze deletion and how should I use it for MDCAT Biology?
Cloze deletion is a fill-in-the-blank format where you replace key terms with {{c1::}} placeholders[reference:13]. For PTBB/STBB Biology, use Cloze for empirical values (like 38 ATP per glucose), specific dates, enzyme names, and one-line factual statements. Avoid making cards too long — keep them atomic.
Why shouldn't I use AnKing or other USMLE decks for MDCAT?
USMLE decks like AnKing are designed for the American medical licensing exam, not Pakistan's MDCAT. They contain massive amounts of out-of-syllabus content — biochemistry pathways, pharmacology, and clinical details that are not tested in MDCAT[reference:14]. Using them wastes your time and dilutes your focus on the PTBB/STBB syllabus.
How many cards should I make for MDCAT Biology?
Aim for 300-500 cards per chapter, covering the entire PTBB/STBB syllabus in 2,000-3,000 well-made cards. Focus on quality over quantity — one atomic fact per card.
How much time should I spend on Anki daily?
15-30 minutes per day of consistent Anki review is more effective than hours of cramming. Anki's algorithm is designed for daily, incremental review — not marathon sessions.