Alexey Vidanov

Simplify Learning with the Streamlit Anki Quiz App

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by

Alexey
in

TL;DR: 📚 Struggling to make flashcards more engaging? The Streamlit Anki Quiz App transforms your ANKI decks into interactive multiple-choice quizzes—boosting engagement, retention, and real-time feedback. Perfect for AWS cert prep, language learning, or any topic!

🚀 Try the live demo: 🔗 Hosted App

💻 Check out the code: 🔗 GitHub Repo

▶️ Watch the explanation on YouTube: 🔗 YouTube Video

Introduction

Studying with ANKI is a proven way to retain knowledge, but traditional flashcards can feel monotonous. When I was preparing for my AWS certification exams, ANKI became my go-to tool for memorization. However, I often wished for a way to simulate real exam scenarios with quizzes. That’s why the Streamlit Anki Quiz App was a game-changer for me. It transforms ANKI decks into interactive multiple-choice quizzes—adding engagement and making studying more productive.

What is ANKI?

ANKI is a powerful tool for flashcard-based learning that uses spaced repetition to help you retain information over time.

It is widely used for studying languages, medical terms, and certification preparation. Available via AnkiWeb and the ANKI app, this software allows you to create, manage, and share decks tailored to your learning needs. ANKI is open source and has a large community contributing to its ecosystem, offering plugins and decks for various topics.

Getting Started: Importing the Dummy Deck

To quickly get started with creating and using single-choice and multiple-choice questions, follow these steps to import the Dummy Deck:

Screenshot of ANKI showing the imported Dummy Deck and example questions.

  1. Download the Dummy Deck:
  2. Open ANKI:
    • Launch the ANKI application on your device.
  3. Import the Deck:
    • Go to “File” in the top menu and select “Import.”
    • Navigate to the downloaded Dummy.apkg file and select it.
    • The deck will appear in your ANKI dashboard.
  4. Review the Example Questions:
    • Single-choice example: “What is the capital of Germany?”
    • Multiple-choice example: “What are the colors of the German flag?”
  5. Modify or Add Questions:
    • Open the imported deck.
    • Click on a card to edit or add your own questions following the structure provided.
  6. Export the Deck:
    • Once your custom questions are ready, export the deck as an .apkg file.
    • This file can now be uploaded to the Streamlit Anki Quiz App for interactive quizzing.

Hosted Version: Quick Start

The easiest way to dive in is by using the hosted version. No installation or setup is required:

  1. Visit the app: Streamlit Anki Quiz App.
  2. Upload your .apkg file, such as the Dummy Deck or your own custom deck.
  3. Start quizzing with real-time scoring and timer features.
Timed Mode is available only in the self hosted option

Key Features

  1. Quiz Creation: Automatically converts ANKI decks into multiple-choice questions with randomized options.
  2. Timer Functionality: Simulate exam conditions with a timer to track your performance. Each question has a default time limit of two minutes, ensuring a balanced pace for quizzing. You can customize the timer settings for more flexibility.
  3. Real-Time Scoring: Immediate feedback helps you identify areas to improve. At the end of the quiz, a summary screen shows your total score, correct answers, and areas for improvement, providing a clear overview of your performance.
  4. Customizable Options: Adjust templates and quiz formats to suit your needs.

How It Works (Simplified)

  1. Upload Your Deck: Drag and drop your .apkg file.
  2. Deck Processing: The app extracts questions and converts them into a quiz-ready format.
  3. Dynamic Quizzing: Answer randomized questions and get immediate results.

Advanced Usage

For those who want more control, the app leverages Streamlit, a Python framework for creating intuitive, data-driven web applications. Here’s what you can do:

  1. Run Locally:
    • Clone the GitHub repository.
    • Install dependencies: pip install -r requirements.txt
      (proceed to the next step or you can switch to other branch to run the app in the time mode)
      git switch time-mode
    • Launch the app: streamlit run main.py
  2. Customize Your Experience:
    • Modify templates for personalized quiz formats.
    • Add new features like adaptive scoring systems.
  3. Extend Functionality:
    • Integrate with other learning tools or APIs.
    • Utilize Streamlit’s widgets to create interactive and visual elements.

Why Streamlit?

Streamlit’s simplicity allows developers to create functional apps with minimal code. Its live reloading, widget support, and intuitive layout make it an ideal choice for projects like this. Learn more at streamlit.io.

Files to Get Started

If you don’t have an ANKI deck ready, try these:

Why It Stands Out

  • Ease of Use: Start immediately with the hosted app—no technical setup required.
  • Enhanced Engagement: Make learning more dynamic and effective with interactive quizzes.
  • Open Source: Fully customizable for those who want to tailor the app to their needs.

Ready to Enhance Your Learning?

Get started today with the Streamlit Anki Quiz App:

ANKI

Streamlit

Transform your study sessions into a dynamic, engaging experience. Try it now!