Low cost ACE reviewed history courses from Shmoop.com

[ndelco]

I signed up for the free trial and read through the entire first unit and took the test. I felt that many of the questions had multiple correct answers. I scored a 75% on my first try and then a 70% on my retake (completely different questions). I used an additional tab with the coursework open and utilized the search function for almost every question. The search function worked well for some questions and terribly for others. I had every link that was supplied in the reading open as tabs that I could check back on. I had a tab open of the set of 9 flashcards that was provided for Unit 1. Maybe I am just really bad at figuring out which answer is better out of a couple possibilities but I think this type of course would give me anxiety as I hovered around the 70% mark the entire time. I didn't feel like it mattered if I learned anything, only if I remembered where each question could be found in the reading and then if I could figure out which answer/opinion the test is looking for. It was a lot of reading and I would be devastated to spend so much time in this course and end up below 70%, which I think would be a real possibility FOR ME.

Anyway, to add to some of the reviews for people that will be taking these courses... the Unit tests were 20 questions each and all multiple choice. Since I knew I wasn't going to do the course by the time I was finishing up my second test, I tried to Google one of the questions just to see what would come up. The other posters are correct in saying that Google won't be much help. Nothing specific to the question I copied and pasted came up and I was just given general Wikipedia links. Also, after deciding I wasn't going to continue, I tried the Unit 2 test and scored a 58% without looking at any material. I spent about 4 legit hours reading through Unit 1 and another 35 minutes on the test. US History I has 12 units so the course would take a while to get through. I admit that I am not that fast of a reader so other people's times would probably be shorter. Unit 1 had 8 sections to go through with two mini-quizzes for no grade and I saw some units had up to 20 sections. Like others have said, you can retake each Unit test and the final. If you do decide to retake your original grade is erased. You don't get the option to pick the higher grade. Personally, if I scored over 70% I would not take the chance of retaking for a higher grade. You get one hour per test but I am not sure about the final exam.

Overall I thought the reading was interesting and I think many people will do perfectly fine in it. I just felt like some of the questions were more about opinions instead of concrete answers and I don't think that type of course suits me best. I am loving the Study.com format so far so it's completely possible that this type of course just doesn't agree with me but others may love it. The reading is entertaining and I had no problem staying awake which is often a problem for me :roflol: The website clearly states that they will be upping the price "within the month" which someone else already wrote on here. Good luck to anyone who takes these courses and I hope my review helps you decide either way what to do! I definitely think this course is passable (with much frustration for me) but I think I would need to focus solely on each course by itself and really take my time which isn't something I can do right now with the Study.com subscription.