A Level Chemistry Anki Flashcards: 7 Powerful Study Tricks Most Students Don’t Know – Turn Painful Memorising Into Easy Daily Wins
a level chemistry anki flashcards explained in plain English, plus how to build exam-style cards, avoid common mistakes, and when Flashrecall is just easier.
How Flashrecall app helps you remember faster. It's free
What A Level Chemistry Anki Flashcards Actually Are (And A Better Way To Do It)
Alright, let’s talk about a level chemistry anki flashcards because they’re basically digital question–answer cards you use in Anki to drill definitions, mechanisms, equations and exam-style questions using spaced repetition. The idea is simple: you see a question (like “Define enthalpy change of combustion”), try to recall the answer, then Anki shows it again later based on how well you remembered it. This works because your brain remembers stuff way better when you’re forced to pull it out of memory instead of just rereading notes. Apps like Anki do this well, but newer apps like Flashrecall make the whole process way faster and less clunky, especially when you’re drowning in A Level chemistry content.
If you want that same spaced repetition magic but on a cleaner, more modern app, grab Flashrecall here:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Anki vs Flashrecall For A Level Chemistry: What’s The Difference?
You’ve probably heard:
> “Just use Anki for A Level, it’s what med students use.”
True, Anki is powerful. But for A Level chemistry, you don’t actually need something super complicated — you need something fast, simple, and easy to stick with daily.
Anki (Classic Option)
- Super customizable
- Great spaced repetition system
- Tons of shared decks online
- The interface is… ancient
- Making cards can feel slow and fiddly
- Syncing between devices can be annoying
- Harder to stay consistent if the app feels like a chore
Flashrecall (Modern, Easier Option)
Flashrecall basically gives you the same core idea as a level chemistry Anki flashcards — active recall + spaced repetition — but in a much smoother, more “I’ll actually use this every day” way.
With Flashrecall you get:
- Automatic spaced repetition with smart review scheduling
- Study reminders so you don’t forget to revise
- Works offline for those no‑WiFi library or bus sessions
- Fast card creation from:
- Images (snap textbook pages, notes, exam questions)
- Text and PDFs
- YouTube links
- Typed prompts
- Audio
- Chat with your flashcards if you’re unsure about a concept (super nice for tricky mechanisms)
- Free to start, works on iPhone and iPad, and it’s actually modern and clean
Link again if you want to try it while reading:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
What Should You Actually Put On A Level Chemistry Flashcards?
A lot of people do flashcards totally wrong. They basically copy the textbook onto a card and then wonder why nothing sticks.
Here’s what works for A Level chemistry.
1. Definitions (Short, Precise, Exam-Style)
Keep them tight and in exam language.
> Define enthalpy change of formation.
> Enthalpy change when 1 mole of a compound is formed from its elements in their standard states, under standard conditions.
Do this for:
- Enthalpy changes (combustion, neutralisation, atomisation, etc.)
- Bond enthalpy, ionisation energy, electronegativity
- Rate, equilibrium, entropy, redox terms
- Organic chemistry functional groups
In Flashrecall, you can quickly type these or copy-paste from your notes, then tweak to match exam wording.
2. Mechanisms & Reaction Pathways
These are perfect for flashcards because you need to recall:
- Reagents
- Conditions
- Type of reaction
- Curly arrows / mechanism steps
> Conditions and reagents to convert an alkene to an alcohol.
> Steam, phosphoric acid catalyst, high temperature and pressure (hydration of alkene).
You can also:
- Take a photo of a mechanism diagram from your notes/textbook
- Drop it into Flashrecall
- Turn key bits into flashcards in seconds
This is way faster than manually drawing things in Anki.
3. Calculations & Worked Examples
You don’t have to put full 10-step calculations on a card, but you can use flashcards to drill the methods.
> Steps to calculate empirical formula from percentage composition.
1. Assume 100 g, turn % into grams
2. Divide by Ar to get moles
3. Divide by smallest number of moles
4. Multiply to get whole number ratio
You can also:
- Screenshot a past paper calculation question, add it as the front
- Put the full worked solution on the back
- Use Flashrecall’s active recall to test yourself before peeking
4. Colours, Observations & Tests
These are classic “I’ll just memorise later” topics that people forget.
Good flashcard topics:
- Flame test colours
- Precipitate colours (e.g. with NaOH, AgNO₃)
- Gas test results
- Transition metal ion colours
Flashrecall automatically keeps track and reminds you of the cards you don't remember well so you remember faster. Like this :
> Colour of [Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺ (aq).
> Pale blue solution.
These are quick wins for flashcards and show up a lot in exams.
5. Organic Chemistry “Maps”
Organic is basically a big web of conversions.
You can make:
- Cards that ask: “How do you go from alkane → haloalkane?”
- Or “Haloalkane → amine: reagents and conditions?”
In Flashrecall, you can:
- Import or snap a picture of an organic reaction map
- Make mini cards for each arrow (conversion)
- Review them as bite‑sized chunks instead of one overwhelming diagram
How To Actually Use These Flashcards Without Burning Out
Just making a level chemistry Anki flashcards (or Flashrecall cards) deck isn’t enough. The magic is in how you use them.
1. Small Daily Sessions Beat Giant Cramming
Aim for:
- 15–25 minutes per day
- Every day, or at least 5 days a week
Because Flashrecall has built‑in spaced repetition and reminders, it will:
- Tell you exactly what to review today
- Bring back older topics just before you forget them
So you’re not constantly thinking “what should I revise?”
2. Use Active Recall Properly
When a card appears:
- Look away from the answer
- Say the answer out loud or in your head
- Then check
If you just half‑read the question and instantly flip the card, you’re not really learning. Flashrecall is built around active recall, so it’s designed for this “question → think → answer” flow.
3. Rate Your Answers Honestly
Spaced repetition only works if you’re honest about how well you remembered.
In Flashrecall:
- Mark stuff you totally forgot as “hard”
- Mark stuff that felt easy as “easy”
The app then automatically adjusts when you’ll see that card again. No manual scheduling, no spreadsheets, just “show up and tap”.
4. Mix Topics (Don’t Just Grind One Chapter)
Instead of doing 200 cards from just “Equilibria” in one go, mix:
- Equilibria
- Energetics
- Organic
- Redox
Your brain remembers better when topics are interleaved, and it also feels less boring. Spaced repetition apps like Flashrecall naturally mix old and new cards, so you automatically get this benefit.
Example A Level Chemistry Deck Structure (You Can Copy This)
Here’s a simple way to organise your flashcards:
Sub-decks or tags:
- Physical Chemistry
- Atomic Structure
- Amount of Substance
- Energetics
- Kinetics
- Equilibria
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Periodicity
- Group 2
- Group 7
- Transition Metals
- Organic Chemistry
- Basics & Isomerism
- Alkanes
- Alkenes
- Haloalkanes
- Alcohols
- Organic Analysis
- Further Organic (A2 stuff)
In Flashrecall, you can tag cards by topic so you can:
- Revise everything mixed together
- Or filter by one topic the week before a topic test
How Flashrecall Makes Card Creation Way Less Painful Than Anki
One of the biggest reasons people quit Anki is:
> “Making cards takes forever.”
Flashrecall fixes that in a few ways:
1. Turn Images Into Flashcards Instantly
Got handwritten notes or a revision guide?
You can:
- Snap a photo
- Highlight the key bit
- Turn it into a card in seconds
Perfect for:
- Reaction conditions tables
- Summary pages
- Exam question snippets
2. Use PDFs, Text, Or YouTube Links
You can:
- Import a PDF of notes or a booklet
- Paste text from online revision sites
- Drop a YouTube link from a chemistry channel
Then quickly generate cards from the most important lines or explanations. No endless copying and pasting like old-school Anki.
3. Chat With Your Flashcards When You’re Stuck
This one’s pretty cool: if you don’t fully get a concept (say, entropy or Kc), you can chat with the flashcard to get more explanation, examples, or a simpler breakdown.
So instead of leaving the app to Google something, you stay in one place and keep the focus.
How To Start Using Flashrecall For A Level Chemistry Today
If you’re currently thinking “I should probably make a level chemistry Anki flashcards deck” but haven’t started yet, here’s a simpler plan:
1. Download Flashrecall
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
2. Create one deck: “A Level Chemistry”
Don’t overcomplicate it at first.
3. Add 10–20 cards from today’s lesson
- Key definitions
- One or two mechanisms
- A calculation method
4. Set a reminder inside the app
So you get a nudge at a time that actually works for you (e.g. after dinner).
5. Do your reviews every day
Even 10 minutes helps. The spaced repetition will handle the timing for you.
6. Gradually tag and expand
As you add more cards, start tagging them by topic so revision before mocks is easier.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a massive, complicated setup to use a level chemistry Anki flashcards style system. What you actually need is:
- Good questions and answers
- Daily active recall
- Reliable spaced repetition
Flashrecall gives you all of that, but in a way that’s faster to set up, nicer to use, and easier to keep up with during busy exam season. If you’re serious about smashing A Level chemistry and you want something that works on your iPhone or iPad, is free to start, and doesn’t feel like using software from 2005, give it a go:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Turn your chemistry notes into something you’ll actually remember, not just read once and forget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anki good for studying?
Anki is powerful but requires manual card creation and has a steep learning curve. Flashrecall offers AI-powered card generation from your notes, images, PDFs, and videos, making it faster and easier to create effective flashcards.
What's the fastest way to create flashcards?
Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.
How do I start spaced repetition?
You can manually schedule your reviews, but most people use apps that automate this. Flashrecall uses built-in spaced repetition so you review cards at the perfect time.
How can I study more effectively for this test?
Effective exam prep combines active recall, spaced repetition, and regular practice. Flashrecall helps by automatically generating flashcards from your study materials and using spaced repetition to ensure you remember everything when exam day arrives.
Related Articles
- Anki App For Mac: 7 Powerful Reasons To Try This Faster, Easier Flashcard Alternative Instead – Most Students Don’t Know There’s A Simpler Way To Get Anki-Style Study On Apple Devices
- Anki 2.1: The Complete Modern Alternative Guide (And The One App Most Students Don’t Know About) – Before you sink hours into tweaking Anki, read this and see how a newer app can do the hard work for you.
- Anki LeetCode Study System: 7 Powerful Flashcard Tricks To Finally Crack Coding Interviews Fast – Stop forgetting patterns and turn every LeetCode problem into long‑term muscle memory.
Research References
The information in this article is based on peer-reviewed research and established studies in cognitive psychology and learning science.
Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354-380
Meta-analysis showing spaced repetition significantly improves long-term retention compared to massed practice
Carpenter, S. K., Cepeda, N. J., Rohrer, D., Kang, S. H., & Pashler, H. (2012). Using spacing to enhance diverse forms of learning: Review of recent research and implications for instruction. Educational Psychology Review, 24(3), 369-378
Review showing spacing effects work across different types of learning materials and contexts
Kang, S. H. (2016). Spaced repetition promotes efficient and effective learning: Policy implications for instruction. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3(1), 12-19
Policy review advocating for spaced repetition in educational settings based on extensive research evidence
Karpicke, J. D., & Roediger, H. L. (2008). The critical importance of retrieval for learning. Science, 319(5865), 966-968
Research demonstrating that active recall (retrieval practice) is more effective than re-reading for long-term learning
Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 20-27
Review of research showing retrieval practice (active recall) as one of the most effective learning strategies
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58
Comprehensive review ranking learning techniques, with practice testing and distributed practice rated as highly effective

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