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Simon Sørensen
17,304 PointsAdd the ability to test a skill to skip a course
Now the thing I have in mind, is that you should be able to "test an skill". Let's say I have to take "JavaScript Basics" in a track, and I already know everything. I would be nice, if I could push a button that says something like: "Test skill", and it would present me with a series of quizzes and challenges, and if I pass, I get all the points, and the course is marked as "complete".
What do you think?
5 Answers

Ryan Field
Courses Plus Student 21,242 PointsThat might be nice. I have to admit, though, even though I breezed through many of the novice web dev courses, there were still little tidbits here and there that really helped solidify my understanding of how things work and behave, and fill in the gaps in my knowledge. You could probably skip to the end of the videos and just do the test/challenge parts, though.

Allison Walker
17,137 PointsWell, this would be nice with all of the updates with the different classes. I was going through a course and track, and then they changed midway through. I'd be nice to be able to skip the parts you know and focus on what's new.

Simon Sørensen
17,304 PointsYes, exactly.

christopher walsh
10,763 Pointsthe whole point of the site is to learn. why do you even want points from a course you don't need? they are a reward for going through the lessons.

Simon Sørensen
17,304 PointsI understand the site is about learning, and that the points are a reward/symbol that you have completed a course. But if you are doing a track, all of the courses are required to be done. Let's there's something you already have a deep/good understanding of, you could complete a set of quizzes and/or challenges, and it would evaluate if you are good at the subject, or you should learn more. You know, it's about fitting one students needs. And you don't have to use it, if you think it's a bad idea.
Best regards, Simon

christopher walsh
10,763 PointsNo! you get points for doing the lessons. developers who know everything should'nt get the hard earned points newbies worked their way through, by taking tests. you should have to go through the lessons to complete the quizzes and get the points.
thats the whole point of the website. to learn.

Simon Sørensen
17,304 PointsI don't think you quite understand my idea, Christopher.

Allison Walker
17,137 PointsChristopher, you have made an unreasonable, overblown response that doesn't in any way match the level of the comments made thus far. You are either pushing your own agenda, disregarding any other rational arguments but your own, or you are simply immature and cannot articulate your feelings in a composed manner.
You can do what you like, but I suggest you take time off from the forums and cool off before replying.
Have a nice day.

Simon Sørensen
17,304 PointsThanks for backing me up :)

Itamar Givon
18,154 PointsI completely support this feature request. I mean, it shouldn't be hard to add an exam to either each of the sections in a course or the end of the course or both that just compiles all the tasks from the challenges and quizzes. Then, by a pretty simple analysis give you recommendations on videos to repeat in the questions you might have missed. that way, if you really want ALL the points or just need to brush up on something, you wouldn't have to sift through the entire course for those little gaps that you might've missed. Also, even when content changes and the system can't attribute the content of an old course to a new one, the students won't have to go through anything but a couple of refresher exams... Anything in the works?

Christian Tucker
Courses Plus Student 1,987 PointsI support this request too, because sometimes it's not about a programming module you want to skip. Sometimes it's "Setting up X software" or "About X software" or "Lets talk about X" and if you already use the software / framework / platform and you just want to get your points and move on, that'd be nice. Especially if there's no quiz/badge for the small course, completing it gives next to no points anyway. It just sits there and haunts you like "Yo, waste time on me!"
Simon Sørensen
17,304 PointsSimon Sørensen
17,304 PointsI have to agree with you there. I'm just convinced it would be nice to just have the option! :D