Sharpen – College Study App Reviews

by RatThatTalksTooMuch😻

When I saw an ad for Sharpen, it was showcased as if it was the perfect studying app for students. Quizzes, small paragraphs, Flashcards, sounds great! just like Quizlet, right? NO. NOWHERE did it say that it was for college students only! I was interested and excited seeing that there possibly was a new studying app that I could use. But I suppose not since all Sharpen has to offer is study material from textbooks for college students. Thank you for being so “real” with your clientele, this app.

-dissatisfied student

by *keshnith*

I saw Sharpen advertised on the back of my textbook and thought of how much it would benefit me since I am taking 3 science heavy classes. I downloaded and signed up choosing the subjects I thought would be beneficial to me. I was surprised not see chemistry under the “Sciences” tab.

But anyway, I proceeded but like others are saying, I’m stuck on the cursed Tim video. I would love if you guys would work to fix this because I see the potential of it being the next big thing for learners of all ages.

by SilvyrRyan

I’ve only had Sharpen for 12 hours, and it’s force closed on me more times than I can count. And when it doesn’t force close, I can get through ONE section (one done two in a row once), before I get the dreaded loading wheel of doom and can’t move on until *I* force close Sharpen . And every time it closes, I have to log in again, because my credentials aren’t saved.

This isn’t conducive to effective study time at all.

by Mathematicsplease!

Hey! So, I was struggling with some of my schoolwork specially science and math. I’m in the 9th Grade, just graduated Middle School. When I signed up it seemed nice, beautiful setup. But then it asked what textbooks I would be using. So the first thing that came to mind was my mathematics textbook. When I went to search up the name of my book: “SHSAT: 9th grade mathematics.” It didn’t show anything, Sharpen doesn’t have any math books! What? So I tried to see if I could continue, it won’t let you continue if you haven’t selected at least one textbook. So I went on to search up my Biology textbook. Out of all the textbooks the vast majority were Biology textbooks. But they didn’t have my textbook: “Biology Textbook: Ninth Edition.” So, I couldn’t even see what Sharpen was like! I couldn’t get past the “getting started” stages. I was really looking forward to Sharpen. I couldn’t even get started! Please fix this. Thank you.

-A disappointed student-

by S29810

Doesn’t have updated text book, even though advertised on connect site.

by W Swz. Wzssss2-

I’m an accounting major, and I love the fact that they have my exact book and can take questions and definitions out for me, but I feel like it’s just taking what quizlet does and just does the writing down part for you, which in my opinion is the best part because writing is the first step to remembering. And the questions are the same questions they ask in the book just without the information listed right under it. It is nice how they made it in sync with the books, but very limited selection and just not worth it if you want quality material. I suggest making an app that’s specifically for one subject and delve into it and make it actually useful, like duolingo. I started out looking for something that would give me random income statement questions so I could practice filling them out and figuring the accounting equation out, but this doesn’t help at all. Thanks for the try tho! Maybe find your revenue in ads rather than broke college students looking for a good app.

by IWantGoodGradesPlease

I, college student, am taking 4 classes, 3 very common and 1 not so much. Biology, Chemistry, PreCal, and Medicolegal forensics. They only had one out of the 4 classes, Biology, and it didn’t even have the edition of textbook I needed. I was hoping to use this as a study tool based on other reviews. I will still use for bio, but wish I was able to do so for my other classes. Seems like this would be helpful for lower levels of learning, ie highschool, not college students.

by Inle-Varg

The tests are just repeats and don’t shuffle through different ones. There needs to be more of a variety of questions. Even some of the questions from chapter one are repeated in chapter two. And there have been multiple times when I picked the correct answer, it’s highlighted and everything and when I hit the submit button, it tells me I chose the one above it. So it’s registering the wrong answers.

by Moosiebell

Seems like a good enough app (tho I haven’t spent a whole lot of time using it, and i’ll tell you why). I just wish it covered more subjects. I am an interior design and architecture student and because most of my work is project-based, I don’t get much chance to study literature and design theory (something I am meant to do in my own time as part of my degree). Would love it if the subjects covered interior design and architecture, but I understand it must be a lot of work to set up each subject in Sharpen . Hopefully one day it’s included!

by Ellaike

Sharpen is wonderful. But there’s an issue with the quizzes. First off sometimes when I press and answer it’ll say I’m right but it’ll give me a point off as if I got it wrong and then the bar on the bottom shows that it’s wrong. Even though it was the right answer. Also, it won’t let me restart the quizzes. I can only take the quizzes once and whenever I press start over My previous attempts doesn’t clear so it doesn’t let me redo the quiz.

Overall though I think it’s a wonderful app

by BSE College Student

Sharpen is great and seems very useful but it doesn’t have any of my classes available. I searched “English” and nothing popped up, same thing for “Grammar”.
I don't believe Sharpen has been published for very long, so that’s understandable. I just wanted to share this so when possible, such additions may be done.

Thank you for a wonderful app!

by W1lD8

I believe Sharpen to be good in helping people study just kinda sucked the options are limited I didn’t see a lot of physics or engineering related topics and as an undergraduate studying for electrical engineering I need all the help I need. Maybe the catalog will be update with time but right now nothing to helpful for me.

by Cool Person😚

I really like how easy Sharpen is to use, how easy it makes studying, how helpful it is, and the overall look of Sharpen . However, I believe that Sharpen could use some more subjects such as mathematics (which is what I was hoping Sharpen would have when I first downloaded) but for everything else, this is a very helpful app that I would definitely recommend! :)

by Jman825

I started to use this to combat mindless social media scrolling and I love it as an alternative! However, and I’m not sure if it’s just me but, Sharpen crashes every time I reach the end of a chapter summary and I have to start all over again. Hopefully that can be fixed because it can be frustrating to make progress only for Sharpen to crash and delete that progress.

by LexiD811

I really like Sharpen, especially as a visual learner, but I can only use it for fun, outside-of-school education because it doesn’t include any books I use as a theatre/acting major. Even my other artistic hobbies aren’t included, because there’s ONE book under the art genre - and it’s a very generalized music book.
Like I said I still enjoy it, it’s really cool to be able to learn psychology and biology on my own, but pleeeaasseee add some options for artists and performers!! I promise, so many people in art school would love it!!

by Gavin13245

I just tried out Sharpen for my accounting class and so far I love it. Having already done my notes for the chapter I decided to start on, I was interested in seeing how well Sharpen would translate accounting info, and it does a great job. It took all the key words that I had been studying and compiled it nicely in video and summary form.
My one big gripe is the lack of multitasking support for ipadsv(Im on a 2021 M1 pro). I would love to be able to have Sharpen take up half my screen😂, but I cant do it YET. Hopefully the support team will take this seriously, because Sharpen is about to help me pass this class!

by Evablessbritz

Please find a new voice to read in these videos please. This slow lazy voice is not helping me, the material is helpful but the reader makes me want to sleep.

-I don’t know how to reply. I am using anatomy and physiology, the overview video is fine but it’s the summary one that makes me want to sleep.

by Chandan.np

The iPad is a huge part of student life, and we use it in landscape mode most of the time, but Sharpen is not designed to rotate the screen so that we can use it in landscape mode. Otherwise, it is a very helpful app for quick revision and clearing some concepts while commuting or at break time.

by Dorra_96

If your looking for a small study session this is it, it’s not boring but I do wish they had more than just one quiz available per chapter.

by Danielle_L_0226

Sharpen is very intuitive and helpful for students. I wish they had this when I was in school!

by Ohforpetesake

Wish Sharpen would’ve appeared at the beginning of my class instead of at the end. But I am very grateful cause now I can study for my final.

by DK Roller

We have two undergrads using Sharpen and you can’t go wrong getting the extra organization that pairs with the college subjects. Videos a short and simple vertical and helpful (not the expired videos other apps/channels seems to use). As a parent I’m using the videos as great lessons too. It’s a great simple way to follow what you’re students are learning w-out being nosy.

by Ninja$$$08 Wq

Really nice and helpful Sharpen, help me to study my exam

by Mat KNyc

I love the short form videos to help my studies…and it’s pretty to look at.

by Breebree3746

I have to say I don’t write reviews often but this is worth the review. Sharpen is actually REALLY helpful! I am currently taking social psychology for college and this been helping me study for exams. Also it’s free! With no annoying ads!

by Ryan Sander

Extremely useful for doing test for business. Sharpen helps with vocabulary, challenging your brain to a mini quiz with answers.

by Ionnito

I wish I knew about this earlier for my textbook cause now I’m rocking the exams and my general understanding in class.

by Acohn

Wow. I’ve seen a lot of attempts at creating new-age learning products, but most miss the mark and end up creating something that’s a struggle to get students to use. Not here. this app is that rare mix of high-quality content that’s both rigorous and easily accessible. All of it delivered in a beautiful app. Well done.

by SP447

I just got an email about Sharpen and it works with my college course textbook. Really nice short videos that summarize the chapter. The quizzes are great too. So far I’m pretty happy with it.

by Smm369

It needs more content for all the McGraw Hill courses. Connect is abhorrent, this app brings the material to life. Move some marketing dollars over to this app. That said, to improve this app it would be great to practice the wrong quiz answers with more depth. For example, if a student had 3 incorrect answers, direct them to further resources. You have a great concept here, invest a little more, please!

by Sebastian_04

I really have a hard time concentrating and reading through my notes on lectures or just reading directly from textbooks. I always have found myself looking through videos on youtube, however those are a hit or miss most of the time. Well Sharpen really just made my life a tiny bit easier, I hope they keep adding more of the McGraw textbooks in this format so Sharpen gets richer in content. Overall just a great idea of an app!

by Raytherealuser

I have a 8 week accelerated course for my medical terminology class, Sharpen was introduced by my instructor, this is an awesome way to learn faster, they ask questions, about the content you read, and it’s relevant to what you’re learning in class.

by I Bleed Anger

This is such a helpful app!! I failing biology and found this at the right time. I’m all thankful for it!

by Camd97

It’s very convenient, the videos are just great, the flash cards, quizzes, etc.

Pd I never ever write reviews

by Acncons1

I review quizzes and flashcards on the way to class. Great way to get in more study time when I only have a few minutes

by Kenya_353

Okay. I am obsessed with this new app. Easy to find your books and good quick info.

by ThePsychologyGuy

I couldn’t be happier. The study tools are based directly off of my course textbooks. Helping to study accurate info and exactly what will be on an exam. Great app.