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Need help finding the right class? Have a question about how classes work?
Click here to Ask AoPS!Weekly Live or Self-Paced?
Many of our math levels 6 through 8 courses are offered in both weekly live and self-paced formats. The courses using our weekly live format are built around live sessions in our online classroom. The courses using our self-paced format are designed so that students can set their own schedule, and are supported by our self-paced lessons.
Both formats are built around the same core curriculum and written by the same stellar team, but the self-paced format allows students to go at their own pace while the weekly live format follows a scheduled pace.
It may be obvious to you which format is right for you or your student, or you may see advantages in both. Let us try to help with that. If it isn't clear which to choose for your student, we'd recommend reading the Who is the Weekly Live Format For? and Who is the Self-Paced Format For? below. You're also welcome to just try one out!
Try a Course Out!
Students are welcome to try one format first, and then request to switch to the other later if they think it would work better for them. If you're in the middle of one of our weekly live classes and are struggling with the pace or have gotten off track due to outside circumstances, we can help! Contact us and we will switch you over to our self-paced class. Easy as that! Your homework progress will translate and you can start where you left off, working through the rest of the course in your own time.
This road goes both directions. If you sign up for the self-paced class but you really need the motivation of rigid deadlines to succeed, let us know. We will find a place for you in one of our weekly live classes.
Who is the Weekly Live Format For?
Weekly live courses meet for live, interactive sessions where students work through challenging problems together with an instructor and teaching assistants in a text-based online classroom. Students complete weekly homework assignments on their own time and can ask questions on the course message board between class sessions.
How do you know the weekly live format is for you?
You are a highly-motivated math student and normal math classes don't work for you.
You like being in a room full of other high-peforming students.
You want a math class where you actively play alongside your classmates and teachers.
You need hard due dates to get things done.
The weekly live format might be for you.
Who is the Self-Paced Format For?
Self-paced courses allow students to proceed at their own speed through a series of interactive lessons. These lessons are followed up by readings from the textbook, instructional videos, and challenging homework problems. Our self-paced courses might be a good option for students who have difficulty scheduling around our weekly live class times, or for students who just prefer to work at a faster or slower pace.
How do you know the self-paced format is for you?
You are a highly-motivated math student and normal math classes don't work for you.
You are fine working alone or in small groups.
You like to take your time to learn material the first time around.
You suspect that the weekly live AoPS math classes are too fast or too slow for you.
Your schedule is irregular or unpredictable, so you won't be able to attend weekly classes or keep up with a pre-set schedule.
The self-paced format might be right for you.
Try out a sample lesson by clicking the play button below!
