Side by side
| Panic Bank | NotebookLM | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Medical students and their exams | Anyone researching any documents |
| Input | Lecture PDFs | Many source types (PDFs, docs, web pages and more) |
| Exam questions | Clinical SBA questions with importance tiers and Lockdown recall | General quizzes and flashcards from your sources |
| Review schedule | Spaced repetition built in | Check Google’s current documentation |
| Notes | Full notes per lecture plus a Recap | Summaries, briefings and audio overviews |
| Clinical practice | Spotting decks; OSCE voice patient (paid) | None |
| Your class | University library of classmates’ lectures | Notebooks you share yourself |
| Price | Free to start; paid plans | Free, with paid tiers from Google |
When NotebookLM is the better choice
- You want to ask questions of a textbook chapter, guideline or paper — not just lectures.
- You want an audio overview to listen to on the way in.
- You need something free and general-purpose.
When Panic Bank is the better choice
- You want exam-format SBA practice from your lectures, brought back on a schedule.
- You want notes, flashcards and questions for every lecture in one library.
- You also need spotting and OSCE practice.
Frequently asked questions
Is NotebookLM good for medical school?
Yes, for understanding: it answers questions and summarises from the sources you upload, and can make flashcards and quizzes. For exam drilling — clinical SBA questions, a review schedule, spotting and OSCE practice — a medical tool such as Panic Bank fits better. Many students use both.
Does Panic Bank use spaced repetition like Anki?
Yes, with nothing to set up. Questions are scheduled on SM-2 — the algorithm Anki started with — and flashcards on FSRS, the newer scheduler Anki also offers. There is no export to Anki, so treat it as its own system.
Is Panic Bank free?
It is free to start and does not ask for a card. New accounts get a 3-day trial of the Core plan, and the free tier keeps a daily review allowance after that. Paid plans unlock unlimited review, the Teller (Ask-AI), the mock exam and OSCE practice.