Do Boncho Study Cards Really Prepare You for the NCCAOM & CALE Exams? (A Simple 5-Minute Read)

A student recently asked us,

“Do your study guides, books, and flashcards really prepare you for all the NCCAOM and CALE Board exams?”

We loved that question — because it goes right to the heart of why we created the Boncho Study Cards in the first place.

Our short answer is yes — but there’s more to it.
 While we designed each deck based on the NCCAOM and CALE exam outlines, they’re not just tools for memorizing. They’re made to help you truly understand TCM, build lasting confidence, and feel more connected to what you’re studying. 🌿✨

💬 What Students Say

“There are no other cards or apps like what you guys are making! These cards make learning so much fun and doable in school.”

“I'm a visual learner and your cards help me so much with memorizing each formula. The icons were especially helpful.”

“I have loved the cards — definitely helped with the test I took today.”

These messages remind us why we started creating study decks — to make learning for CALE, NCCAOM, and Pan-Canadian exams feel less overwhelming and more intuitive.

1) Start Early and Go Small

Begin as soon as the semester starts.

• Study for 10–15 minutes a day, not hours at once.
  
• Use the 3-pass method:
  

1. 1. Skim — glance through the icons and anchor images.
      
   2. Say it out loud — name → function → key notes.
   3. Quick quiz — cover the back and recall.

Short, consistent sessions are far more effective than long, exhausting ones.

2) Match Your Deck to Your Class Each Week

Our study cards are designed with Boncho Icons, making it easy to organize by category and study with focus. 

Acupuncture Class

Carry only the channel you’re learning that week.

• Example: studying the Lung Channel? Bring all Lung acupoint cards.
• Next week on the Large Intestine Channel? Swap in the Large Intestine cards.
  

💡 Learn names, not just numbers:
Each acupuncture point name holds meaning that reveals its function and spirit.
Use our Acupuncture Chinese Characters Book to explore their origins — understanding these names creates stronger memory anchors for clinical recall later.

Herbology Class

Carry only the herbs you’re learning that week.

• Example: Yang-tonifying herbs → bring Rou Cong Rong, Yin Yang Huo, Lu Rong, etc.
  
• When learning formulas, bring Yang-tonifying formulas such as Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan or You Gui Wan.
  

Diagnosis Class

Bring cards related to the symptoms you’re studying.

• Example: Insomnia, Cough, Breathlessness, Abdominal Pain, etc.
  

Foundations Class

Focus on broader theory.

• Bring cards covering Zang-Fu organs, Five Elements, Yin-Yang theory, and the Five Spirits (Shen, Po, Yi, Hun, Zhi).
  

Pathology & Pharmacology Class

Use your cards to connect TCM and Western medicine.

• Example: when studying Skin Diseases or Heart Disease, take both Pathology and related Pharmacology cards.
  
• Pull any vitamins, minerals, or drugs mentioned in your lecture to review alongside the relevant TCM concepts.
  

💡 Tip: Keep your daily stack small (8–15 cards). Add new ones only when yesterday’s feel easy.

If you purchased the physical deck, you also have lifetime access to the digital version on Boncho School. The digital version includes a search function, so you can quickly find any card on your phone whenever you need to review. 📱✨

If you purchased the physical deck but don’t have access yet, please email us at friends@bonchofriends.com with your order number and full name.
 You must join Boncho School first to activate your access.

3) Build Your Own Custom Deck 🌿

If you have all 5 Decks, you can create your own personalized “themed deck” by pulling cards from different decks that connect to one topic.

Example: Focus on Yin Deficiency Pattern 🌙

• Acupuncture Deck: SP 6 (Sanyinjiao), KD 3 (Taixi), LU 9 (Taiyuan) — points that nourish Yin.
  
• Foundations Deck: Yin Deficiency under the 8 Principles.
• Diagnosis Deck: Liver, Kidney, and Lung Yin Deficiency patterns.
  
• Herbology Deck: Yin-tonifying herbs like Shu Di Huang, Mai Men Dong, Bai He, and formulas such as Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Zuo Gui Wan.
  
• Pathology & Pharmacology Deck: related patterns like night sweats, dry throat, or menopausal symptoms.
  

By building your own themed deck, you’ll start to see how acupuncture, herbs, and biomedicine all weave together — turning study time into one clear, complete picture. 

4) Weekly Rhythm That Works

• Mon–Thu: 10–15 minutes/day (2–4 new + 6–10 review).
  
• Fri: quick “teach-back” session.
  
• Weekend: rest and light review — consolidation matters.
  

The Secret (Worth Repeating)

These cards aren’t for all-nighters. They’re steady companions.
Bring them to class, follow your syllabus, learn names and meanings, and make friends with each section one by one. When you understand each point fully, it stays with you — not just for exams, but for your future practice.

Remember, only those with discipline gain true knowledge.
 With the right tools, the right discipline, and the right strategies, your success is already yours — waiting to be claimed. 🌱

Here’s a little homework from us:

Before you go to bed tonight, take a quiet moment for yourself.
Close your eyes and imagine — not just studying, but becoming the kind of doctor you dream of being.

✨ Picture yourself passing the exam with calm confidence.
✨ See yourself caring for patients with warmth and skill.
✨ Think about how you can study smarter — what habits, tools, or systems will help you get there.

Then, write it down on a piece of paper:

• Who you want to be.
  
• How you’ll get there.
  
• Why you started this journey in the first place.

Those who take the time to reflect, to visualize, and to commit — will always go further than those who don’t.

Your journey in TCM isn’t just about memorizing. it’s about growing into the healer you’re meant to be!

Warmly,

Bora & Isaac

Boncho Friends

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