Are courses on edX free?

EdX courses are available for free. You can take part in the course in Audit Track for free. This track allows you to access most of the course material for a limited time (depends on the individual course, several weeks to a few months). If you want to recieve a certificate you have to pay for a course. Proctored exam, essay tutor grading and some of the course material are included only if you buy a course.

 

Example 1) In case a course is self-paced, all content is released at once, course end is in several weeks/months. You can access most of the course material for free (no certificate, no proctored exam)

Example 2) In case a course is NOT self-paced, content is released on week by week basis, course ends in several weeks/months. You can usually access only one week or first two weeks of content after which Audit Track expires. In this case all content is not available from the beginning so you can access only 10-20% of course content for free (no certificate, no proctored exam, no access to 80-90% of course content)

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Are EdX certificates worth it?

EdX certificates are absolutely worth it. Its price range is between 50-585$ per course where majority of courses are available within 50-150$ range for a course. What price tag would you put on an opportunity to study a subject on MIT or Harvard? How much would cost you accommodation, tuition, your time to actually study there? Courses on EdX are made not by EdX but by individual universities which increases its value. EdX certificates have increased credibility because most of its courses have proctored exam (you are monitored during the exam by webcam, microphone and the record is reviewed by a person to avoid any cheating). This is so far the only one platform offering proctored exam in single courses. 

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Example 1) If you would be hiring an employee and would be chosing between 2 candidates who have similar resumes and a few extra courses (with a similar content) where the first one would have courses on Coursera and the second one on EdX with proctored exams. Which one would you chose? 

Example 2) How much would you invest in order to increase your chances to get a better job? Would you invest 10$, 100$ or 1000$? Imagine if you would have this month 12 pints of beer less and invest this money into the certificate. How much better your life could get with just this small change?

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Which is better EdX or Coursera?

The most significant difference between EdX and Coursera is the internal system of each platform, especially how essays are graded and the process of the final exam. If the price is for you the most important in that case is for you better option Coursera where in general courses are cheaper. If the credibility of the course/certificate is the main factor for you then EdX should be your choice. Both platforms offer a wide range of courses (2500+). The course content is created by university in both cases.

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Example 1) EdX offers proctored exams in single courses which give a higher credibility to such courses. Only certain students (enrolled in the course) selected by internal algorythm can grade your assignments (EdX). Every enrolled student in the course can grade you in Coursera platform (you can ask other students to grade your assignment and give you better grades which will help you to reach passing grade - this reduces the course credibility). Everyone can easily pass the course on Coursera. Courses on EdX are more challenging as you can't influence the grading.

Example 2) Specific assignment guidelines and information about what and how will be graded are available before submitting an assignment in EdX. The specific information what and how will be graded your assignment is available after the submitting of your assignment on Coursera platform.

Example 3) On Coursera you can re-submit your assignment if you receive  a low grade. You can submit your assignment just once on EdX platform.

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Does EdX provide free certificates?

EdX doesn't provide free certificates. You can access some of the course material for free in Audit Track but you have to pay for the certificate. If you pay for the course, all materials are available along with included proctored exam, sometimes tutor assignment grading and lifetime course access. The price range is 50-585$ where majority of courses are available for 50-150$.

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Is EdX org legit?

EdX is legitimate educational website. Courses are made by individual universities not by the platform itself which gives it high credibility. If you purchase a course you can earn university credits. EdX certificates are one of the few that are recognized universally by employers. EdX was established in 2012 by Harvard University and The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Over 14 millions students have taken courses on EdX.

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Is EdX recognized by employers?

EdX certificates are widely recognized by employers, schools and other institutions. The certificate recognition by an employer depends on the country and the size of the company. Not many small companies are accepting any online certificates at all (this trend keeps changing but it can't be guaranteed in general across all countries worldwide and all companies). EdX certificates are recognized more by bigger or even international companies rather than small companies. If you are seeking promotion or applying for a new job it is always better to check with the company whether such certificates are recognized. Verified certificates from EdX provide proof for an employer, school, or other institution that you sucesfully completed the course, passed the required coursework and earned the certificate. In order to earn verified certificate you are required to verify your identity using a webcam and government issued ID.

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Does EdX courses have value?

EdX single courses and advanced certifications have value supported by top universities. The top content is created by top universities from all around the World and is available for anyone worldwide. Would it have any value for you to attend courses on top universities in person? The only difference with EdX is its available for anyone, without need to commute and with lower pricetag (as its courses are available for millions of students worldwide it helps to reduce the course price (compared with traditional university fee) because it is not limited by classroom size and more students is studying it more price can go lower). EdX certificate can help you to get a better job, promotion or change industry. Any EdX course is worth it. Course value is increased by ID verification, proctored exams and by an excellent essay grading system.

Example 1) When you study in your free time and applying for a job compared with your competition (considering you finished similar universities and have similar work experience) you are offering a higher value. Would you hire someone who is highly motivated and is willing to invest own money and free time in order to get such a job?

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What happens if I fail an EdX course?

You can retake the course as many times as you need in order to pass but you have to wait for the next course session. You can't start over or reset the course which you already begun. If you are in Audit Track there is no harm for you in failing the course as you don't get the certificate anyway without purchasing a course. You will not get money back if you are in Verified Track (you bought the course) and you failed the course. You can always enroll to the next course session (depends on the course and university, course sessions are usually running a few times a year) but you have to pay the course fee again (or you can study for free and enroll in Audit Track but you will not get the certificate after you succesfully pass the course).

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Do EdX certificates expire?

EdX certificates do not expire. Once you earned the certificate its saved in your profile and you can save it to your computer, share it through social media or print it. Such issued certificate doesn't expire and has lifetime validity.

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Is EdX certificate valid?

Verified certificates from EdX provide proof for an employer, school, or other institution that you sucesfully completed the course, passed the required coursework and earned the certificate. In order to earn verified certificate you are required to verify your identity using a webcam and government issued ID. Some of the courses are credited towards an academic higher degree at certain universities.

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Is EdX certificate recognized?

EdX certificates are widely recognized by employers, schools and other institutions. The certificate recognition by an employer depends on the country and the size of the company. Not many small companies are accepting any online certificates at all (this trend keeps changing but it can't be guaranteed in general across all countries worldwide and all companies). EdX certificates are recognized more by bigger or even international companies rather than small companies. If you are seeking promotion or applying for a new job it is always better to check with the company whether such certificates are recognized.

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Can I retake EdX course?

You can retake the course as many times as you need in order to pass but you have to wait for the next course session. You can't start over or reset the course which you already begun. If you are in Audit Track there is no harm for you in failing the course as you don't get the certificate anyway without purchasing a course. You will not get money back if you are in Verified Track (you bought the course) and you failed the course. You can always enroll to the next course session (depends on the course and university, course sessions are usually running a few times a year) but you have to pay the course fee again (or you can study for free and enroll in Audit Track but you will not get the certificate after you succesfully pass the course).

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How much does EdX certificate cost?

Certificate price is already included in the course price. There is no extra fee for the certificate itself (without course purchase you will not recieve a certificate). Course price range is 50-585$ where the price depends on the course content and university providing the course. In the price course access to all course materialsMost of the courses are available within 50-150$ price range.

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Why do EdX courses end?

The main reason EdX courses end is that course material can be reviewed, updated and adjusted in order to be still relevant, up to date and for students worldwide in the next session. EdX courses end same like subject within a semestr at university or college. EdX course is available from a few weeks to several years (usually Self-Paced courses last much longer) depends on the course type and the university (if you purchased the course it will stay available as archived after the course end in your profile and you can still access the content, if you didn't purchase the course it will be no longer available after the course end). Every course on EdX including "Self-Paced" ones have end date. To earn certificate in Verified Track you need to have passing score by the course end date.

 

How do I pass EdX courses?

To pass the course (and earn the certificate) you have to buy a course. If you only Audit the course, even if you would meet all the course requirements (not all the materials and graded assignments are available in the Audit track) you will not recieve the certificate which serves as a prove you passed the course. You need a total score meeting or exceeding minimum "Pass" line in the course progress graph by the course end date. Each course has 100% and depending on the course you have to exceed usually 50-85%. Each section and course assignment has own point value (column in the course progress graph) which is translated into overall course percentage "Total" column which shows you how succesfull you are.

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Is EdX a good website?

EdX is legitimate educational website. Courses are made by individual universities not by the platform itself which gives it high credibility. If you purchase a course you can earn university credits. EdX certificates are one of the few that are recognized universally by employers. EdX was established in 2012 by Harvard University and The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Over 14 millions students have taken courses on EdX. Courses on edX are covering the objectives outlined before the course. If these objectives are relevant to you, then they are worth your time, money and energy. EdX is the only MOOC website providing Proctored exams in single courses.

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Does EdX give college credit?

Some EdX courses allow you to earn academic credits which you can apply towards a degree at university or college. Academic credit is not provided by EdX but by individual university/college which created the course as EdX is only course provider but not the creator. Universities and colleges are making courses on their own throught the EdX platform. Micromaster Degrees on EdX can earn you up to 35% of credits towards Master Degree.

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How do I audit a course in EdX?

After you found your desired course click on the "Enroll Now" button on the course information page and then click on the "Audit This Course". This option allows you to join the course for free. All EdX courses can be audited for free. Audit Track does not include all study materials or the full course content, unlimited course access, graded assignments, proctored exam and certificate. You can upgrade from Audit Track to Verified Track by paying the course fee within specific date and unlock all the features including the certificate.

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How do you find out your passing score?

Each course has a different passing score which you can find out on the course home page in the course materials and requirements after you enrolled to the course. You need a total score meeting or exceeding minimum "Pass" line in the course progress graph by the course end date. Each course has 100% and depending on the course you have to exceed usually 50-85%. Each section and course assignment has own point value (column in the course progress graph) which is translated into overall course percentage "Total" column which shows you how succesfull you are.

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What is proctored exam?

Proctored exam is timed online exam (multiple choice questions, open answers or in form of essay - depends on the type of the course) during which you are supervised by proctoring software. Proctoring software is for free and the price for using it is already included in the price of the course so you don't need to worry about any additional fees. Proctoring software is monitoring your computer's screen, recording your webcam and microphone while you take the exam. When your exam is finished all the data are uploaded to the server, reviewed by the staff member and evaluated whether you met all conditions (each course might have different conditions so please read carefully all requirements to avoid failing the exam). Proctored exam can be performed only on PC (desktop or laptop with microphone and webcam). It's not possible to take proctored exam on phone or tablet. Supported operating systems are Windows and iOS (depends on the iOS version, better to double check before the exam whether your iOS version is supported). The online connection is essential so make sure you have available internet and enough data allowance. The purpose of proctored exam is to monitor your environment in order to avoid any cheating and increase credibility of certificate.

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What to be aware during the proctored exam?

Carefully read all the exam requirements before you start the proctor exam. Make sure you have reliable internet connection and the room with a desk where you can be alone while taking the exam. Switch off a radio and TV. Most of course exams are closed book which means you are not allowed to have anything else on your desk except the computer. Close the doors and make sure no one will interrupt you while taking an exam which could lead to rules violation and exam failure. Don't forget to check under your desk and the walls if there can be found some posters, written text, stickers, open books on shelves or other prohibited materials (if you do have any of mentioned items it's better to remove or cover them temporarily). It is better not to underestimate this step and avoid potentional exam failure due to rules violation. If you consider how much time and money you invested to the whole course it would be painfull to fail proctored exam by violation exam requirements.