# Anki, Rebuilt: NBME 34, Timed Mode, and First Aid on Every Card

> Three changes to the USMLE Vault Anki, built from student feedback: NBME 34 added to the Booster (4,374 cards), a Timed mode that caps every card at 2 minutes, and a First Aid link on 6,474 cards that opens the page right on the card.

URL: https://vault-guides.vercel.app/anki-timed-mode.html
Canonical: https://usmlevault.com/blog/anki-timed-mode.html

## Summary

Three student-requested changes to USMLE Vault's Anki. (1) NBME 34 added to the NBME Booster: 200 new cards across 17 system decks, 4,374 cards total, forms 20 to 34. (2) Two modes on every card, Tutored (no clock) and Timed: 60 seconds for the question side (then the answer shows itself) and 60 seconds for the answer side (then the card counts as 'Forgot it' and comes back about 8 cards later) — 2 minutes maximum per card. (3) 'Study this in First Aid' links on 6,474 cards (all 2,481 Foundation cards and 3,993 Booster cards): tap to open the page's Focus On and Key Takeaways beside the card, then go back to the same card.

## Key facts

- 2 decks: Foundation Anki (2,481 cards, First Aid page by page — learn the book) and NBME Booster (4,374 cards, forms 20–34 — learn the exam)
- NBME 34 added: 200 cards across 17 system decks
- 2 modes on every card: Tutored (no clock, default) and Timed
- Timed: 60 seconds per side; question side runs out → answer revealed; answer side runs out → rated 'Forgot it' and returns about 8 cards later
- Clock turns amber at 20 seconds, red at 10; end screen shows a 'Pacing' line
- Ratings: 'Forgot it', 'Shaky', 'Knew it' (Space = Knew it)
- First Aid links on 6,474 cards: all 2,481 Foundation cards, 3,993 Booster cards; the 200 NBME 34 cards are not linked yet
- Tapping a link opens Focus On + Key Takeaways beside the card; 'Open full page in FA Guide'; a 'Back to Anki' pill returns to the exact card
- In Timed mode the clock pauses while the First Aid panel or the tutor is open