Short answer
is an open algorithm for scheduling reviews. It uses answer history to model the state of your memory and choose the next review date for a card.
The basic idea is simple. If recall was easy, the next review can wait longer. If the answer was forgotten, the card should return sooner. The interval follows the history of the individual card rather than one fixed ladder for every word.
What the four ratings mean
| Rating | Meaning | Typical effect |
|---|---|---|
| Again | The answer was not recalled | The card returns sooner |
| Hard | Correct, but with substantial effort | The interval is more cautious |
| Good | Correct recall | The interval grows |
| Easy | Recall felt easy | The next review may be much later |
Important: rate the quality of recall, not the date you want. A forgotten answer is “Again”, not “Hard”.
Why the two directions are separate
Recognising the Russian meaning of moreover is easier than producing moreover from a Russian prompt. Easy Peasy English therefore tracks EN → RU and RU → EN separately. Strong recognition cannot conceal weak active recall.
An example without equations
- You see a phrase for the first time and rate the answer Good.
- On the scheduled day, recall is difficult, so the next interval grows more cautiously.
- After several confident answers, the card appears less often.
- If you forget it later, the new rating adjusts the future schedule.
Exact intervals depend on the card's history. Two phrases added on the same day can therefore develop different schedules.
What FSRS does not do
- it does not explain grammar or meaning instead of learning material;
- it does not assess pronunciation in a real conversation;
- it cannot make recall practice effective if you reveal every answer immediately;
- it does not turn a random word list into a complete language programme.
Sources and terminology
The general explanation is based on the FSRS project repository and the FSRS section of the Anki manual. Those sources describe the algorithm; the interface and rating labels above describe the Easy Peasy English workflow.
External sources checked 19 August 2026.
Use FSRS without configuring it
In Easy Peasy English, scheduling is part of the ordinary session: reveal the answer and rate your recall.