AnKing v12 vs Mnemosyne
Both are Step 1 Anki decks built against the same exam, so they cover most of the same ground. This page is about the differences — how their high-yield core, breadth, and depth compare, and where one covers more ground at the area level — so you can pick the fit, not a “winner.”
At a glance
| AnKing v12 | Mnemosyne | |
|---|---|---|
| High-yield core | Comprehensive | Comprehensive |
| Breadth | Comprehensive | Comprehensive |
| Depth | Deep ~36 cards/concept | Moderate ~16 cards/concept |
| Step 1 cards | ~33k | ~15k |
| Best for | One complete primary deck | Broad coverage, mid-volume |
Quality axes are shapes, not exact figures — the card-to-concept mapping is probabilistic. Depth is study style (cards per concept), not a quality score. How we audit decks →
How they differ
Both decks cover essentially the same Step 1 concepts — heavy overlap is the norm. The differences that actually matter:
- Depth & volume. AnKing v12 is deep (~36 cards/concept, ~33k cards); Mnemosyne is moderate (~16 cards/concept, ~15k cards). More cards per concept means harder drilling on each point; fewer means a faster single pass.
- Coverage. Essentially the same concepts across every area — neither covers meaningful ground the other lacks.
Coverage differences are reported at the area level — our card-to-concept mapping is reliable in aggregate but not precise enough to name individual missing topics.
Which fits you
Pick AnKing v12 if you want one complete primary deck; pick Mnemosyne if you want broad coverage, mid-volume. Either way, the only thing that moves your score is what you've actually reviewed — not which deck ships a few more cards. Full AnKing v12 audit · Full Mnemosyne audit
Frequently asked questions
Is AnKing v12 or Mnemosyne better for Step 1?
Neither is strictly better — they overlap heavily because both cover the same Step 1 content. AnKing v12 is one complete primary deck; Mnemosyne is broad coverage, mid-volume. The practical difference is depth and volume — how many cards each spends per concept — not which concepts are covered. Pick the one that fits how you study.
Can I use AnKing v12 and Mnemosyne together?
You can, but because they overlap so heavily, running both is mostly redundant — you'd review the same concepts twice. Most students pick one as their primary deck. The reason to choose one over the other is its depth, volume, and style, not chasing missing content.
Whichever you pick — see what you've actually retained, not just what the deck covers.
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