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Study effectively & Focus a subject

Spaced repetition only works if you review a little every day and grade yourself honestly. Here's how to build the habit — and how to use Focus to drill one subject or chapter when you need to.

5-minute read Best practices

  1. Start a review session

    Tap a deck, then Study. Synapse shows the cards that are due right now — the ones you're about to forget. Read the front, think of your answer, then tap Show Answer.

    A flashcard front with the Show Answer button
    Recall first, then reveal.

  2. Grade yourself honestly

    This is the whole game. Pick the button that matches how it felt — Synapse schedules the next review accordingly (the time under each button is when you'll see the card again):

    • Again — you forgot. The card comes back within minutes.
    • Hard — you got it, but it was a struggle. Shorter interval.
    • Good — you recalled it with normal effort. This is your default.
    • Easy — instant and effortless. Longer interval, so you don't waste time on it.
    Don't inflate your grades. Pressing “Good” on a card you barely remembered just means you'll cram it the night before. Honest “Again” presses are what make the schedule work.
    Revealed answer with Again, Hard, Good, Easy grade buttons and interval previews
    Each button shows when you'll next see the card.

  3. Make it a daily habit

    Short, daily sessions beat long, occasional ones. Open Synapse once a day and clear what's due — the home screen and the banner at the top of your deck list nudge you when cards are waiting.

    Free plan: 5 card reviews per day. Premium removes the daily cap for unlimited reviews.

  4. Focus one subject or chapter

    Cramming biochem this week? Focus narrows the whole app to a single deck or chapter. Swipe right on any deck (or sub-chapter) and tap Focus — or long-press it and choose Set as active deck.

    Swiping a deck row to reveal the Focus action
    Swipe → Focus to drill one subject.

  5. Study just that — everywhere

    While a deck is focused, a chip appears at the top of the list, and your Stats and the AI coach scope to just that subject too. Tap the chip (or swipe again and choose Unfocus) to clear it and see everything again.

    Tip: Study and Practice keep separate focuses, so you can drill one subject's flashcards and a different one's practice questions at the same time.