Most flashcards fail for one reason: they test recognition, not retrieval. If a card feels easy because you can ‘see the answer’ in the question, it is training familiarity — not exam performance. Good cards force you to generate the answer, then give fast, corrective feedback.
Why this works
Evidence reviews consistently rate practice testing (retrieval) and distributed practice (spacing) as high-utility strategies. Flashcards work when they behave like tiny tests — not mini-notes.
1
Rule 1 — One decision per card
A card should test one thing: a definition, a threshold, a first-line choice, a red flag, a contraindication. If it tests three things, you’ll get ‘partial recall’ that feels like progress but doesn’t move scores.
2
Rule 2 — Write questions like an examiner
Use prompts that look like the action you need on exam day: 'Best next step', 'Most likely diagnosis', 'First-line', 'Most appropriate investigation'.
3
Rule 3 — Add a discriminating cue
The cue should separate similar options. Example: include the detail that flips the answer (age group, timing, key risk factor, hallmark symptom).
4
Rule 4 — Include the trap
Add a short “don’t confuse with…” line or a single exception. Exams love near-misses; your cards should train discrimination, not only recall.
5
Rule 5 — Prefer cloze only when it forces recall
Cloze deletions are fine if they require generation. If your brain can guess the blank from grammar alone, it’s not retrieval — rewrite it.
6
Rule 6 — Attach a source (lightweight)
Add a tiny reference line (guideline name / page / short rationale). This prevents myth-propagation and makes later updates easy.
Common failure mode
Copy-pasting paragraphs into the back of cards. You create an illusion of work, but you’re training scrolling and rereading — not recall.
SourceDunlosky et al. — Evidence review of learning techniques (practice testing + spacing)
Open Link SourceRoediger & Karpicke (2006) — Testing effect (PubMed)
Open Link SourceCepeda et al. (2006) — Distributed practice (spacing) meta-analysis (PubMed)
Open Link