Provider: Sophia
Course: U.S. Government
Course content: Text and videos.
Final exam format: Multiple Choice. 25 questions.
Final exam content vs course content/practice exams: I felt like there were a lot of "gotcha" questions, particularly on the milestones, where the multiple choice options were worded very similarly to one another, and the wording was quite different than what was in the course content. I probably should have switched the "instructor" from the default Sophia to an actual person, but I was so intent on just getting through the darn thing that that didn't occur to me until later.
Time taken on course: Too long. A good 50+ hours.
Familiarity with subject before course: I took a high school government course 15+ years ago, and I've watched the first season of Designated Survivor, lol. Politics are not my strong suit.
Pitfalls, high points, things others should know: I felt like my grader was really harsh… like he hated his job and was taking it out on students. His comments were not helpful or educational whatsoever.
1-10 Difficulty level: For me, probably a 6.
Provider: Sophia
Course: Human Biology & Lab
Course content: Text - AR (Augmented Reality) Technology material is included, as well, and is optional. I didn’t use these resources at all.
Final exam format: Multiple Choice. 25 questions.
Final exam content vs course content/practice exams: It's the same.
Time taken on course: The regular course part was super fast. The lab I have yet to do, and will update this after I've finished.
Familiarity with subject before course: I regularly read about this kind of thing for fun.
Pitfalls, high points, things others should know: *If you answer a Challenge question incorrectly, there is no explanation for why you got it wrong.*
For the lab portion: Have an updated computer. I had serious issues getting the lab software to work, and have had to drop that part of the course until I can go to the library and use their computers.
1-10 Difficulty level: Regular Course: 2 // Lab: TBD
Course: U.S. Government
Course content: Text and videos.
Final exam format: Multiple Choice. 25 questions.
Final exam content vs course content/practice exams: I felt like there were a lot of "gotcha" questions, particularly on the milestones, where the multiple choice options were worded very similarly to one another, and the wording was quite different than what was in the course content. I probably should have switched the "instructor" from the default Sophia to an actual person, but I was so intent on just getting through the darn thing that that didn't occur to me until later.
Time taken on course: Too long. A good 50+ hours.
Familiarity with subject before course: I took a high school government course 15+ years ago, and I've watched the first season of Designated Survivor, lol. Politics are not my strong suit.
Pitfalls, high points, things others should know: I felt like my grader was really harsh… like he hated his job and was taking it out on students. His comments were not helpful or educational whatsoever.
1-10 Difficulty level: For me, probably a 6.
Provider: Sophia
Course: Human Biology & Lab
Course content: Text - AR (Augmented Reality) Technology material is included, as well, and is optional. I didn’t use these resources at all.
Final exam format: Multiple Choice. 25 questions.
Final exam content vs course content/practice exams: It's the same.
Time taken on course: The regular course part was super fast. The lab I have yet to do, and will update this after I've finished.
Familiarity with subject before course: I regularly read about this kind of thing for fun.
Pitfalls, high points, things others should know: *If you answer a Challenge question incorrectly, there is no explanation for why you got it wrong.*
For the lab portion: Have an updated computer. I had serious issues getting the lab software to work, and have had to drop that part of the course until I can go to the library and use their computers.
1-10 Difficulty level: Regular Course: 2 // Lab: TBD
Bachelor of Liberal Studies with minors in Educational Studies and International Studies | University of Maine at Presque Isle, 2025
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