How many cards in MilesDown Anki deck is a common question for students preparing for the MCAT or other science‑heavy exams. The MilesDown Anki deck has become a go‑to resource because it consolidates high‑yield facts from biology, biochemistry, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and psychology/sociology into a single, well‑organized collection. Knowing the exact card count helps learners gauge the workload, set realistic daily goals, and track progress throughout their study plan. In this article we break down the current number of cards, how they are distributed across subdecks, why the count can vary between versions, and how you can verify the number yourself in Anki Simple as that..
Not obvious, but once you see it — you'll see it everywhere Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
What Is the MilesDown Anki Deck?
The MilesDown Anki deck is a community‑maintained flashcard set designed primarily for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Which means the deck uses a hierarchical tagging system (e. Which means unlike many pre‑made decks that focus on a single subject, MilesDown attempts to cover all science sections of the MCAT in one cohesive package. Created by a user known as “MilesDown,” the deck pulls content from popular review books, practice passages, and official AAMC material. In practice, , ::Biology::Cell Biology::Mitosis) and custom note types that allow cloze deletions, image occlusion, and basic front‑back cards. g.Because it is shared freely on the AnkiWeb platform, anyone can download the latest version and import it into their own Anki collection.
How Many Cards Are in the MilesDown Anki Deck?
As of the most recent stable release (version 2024.09, uploaded September 2024), the MilesDown Anki deck contains approximately 2,540 individual cards. This number reflects the total count of notes after the deck has been fully synchronized and all subdecks are expanded. Earlier releases hovered between 2,300 and 2,450 cards, with gradual increases driven by the addition of new topics, refined cloze deletions, and occasional removal of duplicate or low‑yield entries Worth keeping that in mind..
Worth pointing out that the exact figure can differ slightly depending on:
- Whether you include suspended or buried cards – Anki’s default count shows only active cards; suspended cards are still part of the deck but not counted toward the “new” or “review” totals.
- The presence of media‑heavy note types – Some notes contain multiple cloze deletions that generate several cards from a single note; the Anki card count treats each cloze as a separate card.
- Custom filters or add‑ons – Certain add‑ons (e.g., “Filtered Deck” creators) may temporarily show a subset of cards, altering the perceived total.
For most practical purposes, quoting 2,500‑plus cards gives a realistic picture of the deck’s size.
Breakdown of Card Count by Subdeck
The MilesDown deck is organized into top‑level subdecks that mirror the MCAT’s scientific sections. Below is a typical distribution based on the 2024.09 release (numbers are rounded to the nearest ten for readability):
| Subdeck | Approximate Card Count | Main Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | 620 | Cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, physiology, anatomy |
| Biochemistry | 480 | Metabolism, enzyme kinetics, thermodynamics, macromolecules |
| General Chemistry | 380 | Stoichiometry, gases, solutions, acids/bases, equilibrium |
| Organic Chemistry | 340 | Functional groups, reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, spectroscopy |
| Physics | 360 | Mechanics, electricity & magnetism, waves, optics, atomic/nuclear physics |
| Psychology & Sociology | 260 | Learning, memory, emotion, social structures, research methods |
| CARS (optional add‑on) | 0* | The core MilesDown deck does not include CARS; users often add a separate CARS deck. |
| Total | ~2,540 | — |
*Some users combine the MilesDown deck with a dedicated CARS Anki deck, which would push the overall card count higher, but the pure MilesDown science deck stays in the 2,500‑range Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
How the Card Count Is Determined
Anki calculates the number of cards by examining each note and its associated card templates. In the MilesDown deck:
- Basic notes (front‑back) generate one card per note.
- Cloze notes generate one card for each cloze deletion (
{{c1::text}},{{c2::text}}, etc.). A single note with three cloze fields therefore contributes three cards. - Image occlusion notes follow the same principle, creating a card for each masked region.
The deck’s note types are deliberately designed to maximize recall efficiency while keeping the total number of notes manageable. Because of this, the card count is higher than the raw note count (which is roughly 1,600 notes for the 2024.09 version). This distinction explains why some sources quote “≈1,600 notes” while others state “≈2,500 cards.
Counterintuitive, but true.
Why the Card Count Matters for Study Planning
Understanding the total number of cards enables you to:
- Set realistic daily targets – If you aim to finish the deck in 12 weeks, you need to review roughly 30 new cards per day (2,540 ÷ 84 ≈ 30).
- Balance review load – Anki’s spaced‑repetition algorithm will gradually increase the number of review cards.
Understanding the total number of cards enables you to:
- Set realistic daily targets – If you aim to finish the deck in 12 weeks, you need to review roughly 30 new cards per day (2,540 ÷ 84 ≈ 30).
- Balance review load – Anki’s spaced‑repetition algorithm will gradually increase the number of review cards.
- Track progress accurately – Knowing the total gives you a concrete benchmark for measuring completion percentages and adjusting your timeline accordingly.
Factors That Can Influence the Actual Card Count
While the numbers above provide a solid baseline, several variables can cause the real-world card count to fluctuate:
- Updates and revisions – The MilesDown community actively maintains the deck, and new versions may add, remove, or restructure notes, directly affecting card totals.
- User modifications – Many students edit existing cards, add personal annotations, or create custom subdecks, all of which can increase the count.
- Cloze complexity – Notes with multiple cloze deletions generate more cards than single-deletion notes. Decks emphasizing detailed explanations will naturally have higher card counts.
- Image occlusion usage – Students who incorporate image occlusion for diagrams or pathways will see their card count grow based on the number of masked regions per image.
Implications for Different Study Styles
The card count also has practical implications depending on your learning approach:
- Comprehensive reviewers who aim to see every card will need to budget more time daily, especially as reviews accumulate over weeks.
- Selective learners might choose to suspend or ignore certain subdecks (e.g., Physics or Psychology) to focus on weaker areas, effectively reducing the active card count.
- Visual learners relying heavily on image occlusion may find their daily card intake higher than the raw note count suggests.
Final Thoughts
The MilesDown Anki deck remains one of the most comprehensive and widely used resources for MCAT preparation, with a total card count of approximately 2,540 cards across its science-focused subdecks. Plus, while the exact number may vary depending on updates, personal modifications, and study preferences, understanding this baseline allows you to plan effectively, set achievable goals, and adapt your strategy as needed. Whether you're aiming for a full review or targeting specific content areas, knowing the scope of the deck is a crucial first step toward mastering the MCAT.
To make the most of the MilesDown deck, consider integrating a few practical tactics that complement the raw card count:
apply tags and custom filtered decks
Each note in the MilesDown set carries hierarchical tags (e.g., ::Biochemistry::Metabolism::Glycolysis). By creating filtered decks that pull only cards with specific tags, you can rotate focus areas without altering the master deck. Take this: a weekly “Biochemistry deep‑dive” filtered deck might include 150–200 cards, letting you concentrate on a subject while the remaining cards stay in the regular review queue for spaced repetition.
Adjust new‑card limits based on review load
Anki’s default setting adds new cards until the daily review count hits a ceiling (often 100–200 reviews). As your review pile grows, you may find yourself spending more time on repetitions than on fresh material. Periodically check the “Due” count; if it consistently exceeds your target study time, lower the new‑card limit (e.g., from 30 to 20) until the review load stabilizes, then gradually raise it again as you become more efficient.
Incorporate active recall breaks
Research shows that short, intentional pauses improve retention. After every 25‑minute Pomodoro block of Anki review, spend 2–3 minutes summarizing aloud what you just recalled or sketching a quick diagram. This technique transforms passive card flipping into active elaboration, reinforcing the neural pathways that the spaced‑repetition schedule aims to strengthen.
Use the “bury related” feature judiciously
When a note generates multiple cloze cards, Anki can bury siblings to prevent seeing them back‑to‑back. Enable this option if you notice that similar clozes cause interference; disabling it can be useful when you deliberately want to practice rapid discrimination between closely related concepts (e.g., enzyme inhibition types).
Monitor and mitigate burnout
Even with a well‑planned schedule, the sheer volume of 2,500+ cards can lead to fatigue. Track not only the number of cards completed but also subjective metrics such as focus level and mood. If you notice a downward trend, consider inserting a “light review” day where you only revisit cards with an interval of less than 10 days, or swap a portion of Anki time for alternative resources like video lectures or practice passages.
Plan for post‑MCAT maintenance
After the exam, many students keep the deck as a reference for future coursework. Tagging cards with ::MCAT::Reviewed lets you quickly suspend the entire set when you shift focus to other subjects, while preserving the ability to reactivate specific topics later without rebuilding from scratch.
Final Thoughts
Understanding that the MilesDown Anki deck contains roughly 2,540 cards provides a solid foundation for structuring your MCAT prep, but the true power of the resource emerges when you pair that knowledge with strategic customization, mindful scheduling, and regular self‑assessment. In practice, by tailoring filtered decks, modulating new‑card intake, employing active recall techniques, and watching for signs of fatigue, you transform a static collection of flashcards into a dynamic, adaptive study system. Armed with these insights, you can handle the deck efficiently, meet your target timeline, and walk into test day with confidence that you’ve maximized both the breadth and depth of your preparation But it adds up..
