I like the written better because I find that they connect back to question types and tags more- whereas the videos feel very question specific and not widley applicable.
I use both. I typically use the lightbulb when I got an answer right but I realize I was wavering, or if I feel like I just need a little extra context. I use the video explanations when I get an answer wrong or I feel like the question just went completely over my head, even if I guessed correctly.
Typically, I start with the written. If I am still having trouble understanding where I went wrong with those, I turn to the videos to supplement them.
The videos because for some reason hearing you or JY explain questions becomes the voice in my head when I do new questions, which helps me get them right.
As I use a public computer most of the time, I use the written explanations more. But sometimes if I still am confused after reading the written explanation I check the video ones when I get home.
When I was just starting out, video explanations helped because I needed to further understand the concept. Now that I understand the concepts, I use the written explanations because it just is a quick reminder of what I did wrong and I don't need further explanation about the concept itself.
@MayorOfWhoville agreed. I still will use the video explanations for questions I am really stumped on. I often use written explanations for questions I got right - and just want to make sure my line of thinking was correct
i mainly use the written explanations, and if i still cant understand it, i'll use the video. i prefer the written explanation because it helps me see easier where i was lacking. if that is not enough, that means i dont understand the concept, so i'll watch the video
I mainly use the video explanation, hearing it makes it easier for me to repeat the part that isn't clicking in my head as opposed to trying to break down the one or two sentences on my own (if they're not immediately clicking).
I only use the written explanations, but often find that they do not provide enough explanation for their reasoning. It is especially frustrating when questions with formal logic, such as conditional reasoning questions, do not provide the mapped out logic. For example, the analysis for the stimulus may or may not provide a logic map, and the answer choices usually do not provide a logic map. I would like to see more written explanations that include a logic map of what that answer choice says and why it is wrong (i.e. it does not match with what the question is asking or does not fit into the formal logic of the stimulus). A lot of the explanations just say "this is not supported." without explaining why and how.
@kroper4 It sounds like if there's a conditional reasoning issue, you'd prefer a diagram-based explanation over an English-based one when possible, is that right?
For example:
All apples are red. This fruit is red. So, it's an apple.
Instead of just an explanation saying "Although we know all apples are red, this doesn't mean all red fruits are apples. There could be other red fruits, like a strawberry. The author is taking something necessary for being an apple (red) and thinking it's sufficient for being apple."
You'd prefer something more like:
apple --> red
red
So, apple.
The author reverses the conditional premise -- he reads it as "red --> apple."
@Kevin_Lin thanks for your response! yes, a diagram explanation would be much more helpful when conditional reasoning is involved, especially to spot any issues with translating the stimulus into logic
If I get the question right, then for review, I'll only read the written explanations. If I get it wrong, I'll immediately jump to the video explanations.
I have mostly used the video explanations. However, if I get the question wrong in my 1st try and in my blind review I will look at the light bulb to gain some insight because I am obviously perplexed. I always watch the videos afterwards in those situations. I like the videos because they are in depth and address the reasons why we might make certain mistakes and why wrong answers are tempting. Furthermore, on the more difficult questions there is often a concept in the stimulus that I misunderstood. In making the concepts clear, the video shows that there IS a right answer. Without that assurance I would be more nervous taking the actual test.
I look at written explanations first, then watch videos if those don't explain it well. I sometimes jump to the video first if a question was really hard and I just want to watch someone explain it step-by-step. It's oftentimes more useful if the written explanations offer both the explanation given in the video AND a different way of reaching the same conclusion/eliminating the wrong answer choice/selecting the right one. That way there's multiple ways of understanding how to get to the right outcome.
I prefer the written explanations because I sometimes get distracted when trying to watch the videos. If the written doesn't help me understand what went wrong, then I will watch the video!!
Written only, because I don't often have the patience for video explanations since they contain a more full explanation whereas I usually only require the bits and pieces I got wrong, if that makes sense. I often only require the brief explanations regarding the answer I chose wrong and the answer that was right; the breakdown of the question itself is something I am already comfortable with.
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66 comments
I like the written better because I find that they connect back to question types and tags more- whereas the videos feel very question specific and not widley applicable.
I use both. I typically use the lightbulb when I got an answer right but I realize I was wavering, or if I feel like I just need a little extra context. I use the video explanations when I get an answer wrong or I feel like the question just went completely over my head, even if I guessed correctly.
Typically, I start with the written. If I am still having trouble understanding where I went wrong with those, I turn to the videos to supplement them.
Written explanation 100%. More efficient and can notate where I went wrong using my own thought process
Both! The written explanations help so much in a pinch or if I'm in public etc, but for those where I struggle most I use the videos to deep dive.
The videos because for some reason hearing you or JY explain questions becomes the voice in my head when I do new questions, which helps me get them right.
I use the light bulb first, just as a first resort, and then I use the video explanation if I still don't understand the lightbulb tip.
video so i can hear someone explain! but in 2x speed
I'm a visual learner so I solely rely on the videos. The videos are also more in depth usually than the written explanations which I like.
I use the written explanations first and then go to the video explanations. The reason I do this is because of how I learn.
As I use a public computer most of the time, I use the written explanations more. But sometimes if I still am confused after reading the written explanation I check the video ones when I get home.
When I was just starting out, video explanations helped because I needed to further understand the concept. Now that I understand the concepts, I use the written explanations because it just is a quick reminder of what I did wrong and I don't need further explanation about the concept itself.
@MayorOfWhoville agreed. I still will use the video explanations for questions I am really stumped on. I often use written explanations for questions I got right - and just want to make sure my line of thinking was correct
both, but the written explanations are quicker and easier to check
I like both. Video makes it clearer than light bulb. I need more help in questions that require you to apply knowledge about valid argument forms
i mainly use the written explanations, and if i still cant understand it, i'll use the video. i prefer the written explanation because it helps me see easier where i was lacking. if that is not enough, that means i dont understand the concept, so i'll watch the video
I mainly use the video explanation, hearing it makes it easier for me to repeat the part that isn't clicking in my head as opposed to trying to break down the one or two sentences on my own (if they're not immediately clicking).
I only use the written explanations, but often find that they do not provide enough explanation for their reasoning. It is especially frustrating when questions with formal logic, such as conditional reasoning questions, do not provide the mapped out logic. For example, the analysis for the stimulus may or may not provide a logic map, and the answer choices usually do not provide a logic map. I would like to see more written explanations that include a logic map of what that answer choice says and why it is wrong (i.e. it does not match with what the question is asking or does not fit into the formal logic of the stimulus). A lot of the explanations just say "this is not supported." without explaining why and how.
@kroper4 It sounds like if there's a conditional reasoning issue, you'd prefer a diagram-based explanation over an English-based one when possible, is that right?
For example:
All apples are red. This fruit is red. So, it's an apple.
Instead of just an explanation saying "Although we know all apples are red, this doesn't mean all red fruits are apples. There could be other red fruits, like a strawberry. The author is taking something necessary for being an apple (red) and thinking it's sufficient for being apple."
You'd prefer something more like:
apple --> red
red
So, apple.
The author reverses the conditional premise -- he reads it as "red --> apple."
@Kevin_Lin me too!
@Kevin_Lin yes I prefer that too!
@Kevin_Lin thanks for your response! yes, a diagram explanation would be much more helpful when conditional reasoning is involved, especially to spot any issues with translating the stimulus into logic
Written only. I can read the explanation in (obviously) a fraction of the time it takes to watch the video and move on far quicker.
If I get the question right, then for review, I'll only read the written explanations. If I get it wrong, I'll immediately jump to the video explanations.
I have mostly used the video explanations. However, if I get the question wrong in my 1st try and in my blind review I will look at the light bulb to gain some insight because I am obviously perplexed. I always watch the videos afterwards in those situations. I like the videos because they are in depth and address the reasons why we might make certain mistakes and why wrong answers are tempting. Furthermore, on the more difficult questions there is often a concept in the stimulus that I misunderstood. In making the concepts clear, the video shows that there IS a right answer. Without that assurance I would be more nervous taking the actual test.
I use both, but I prefer the video explanations on 1.5 or 2X speed lol
I only use the videos. I find the way you explain question there in live time to be super clarifying.
I look at written explanations first, then watch videos if those don't explain it well. I sometimes jump to the video first if a question was really hard and I just want to watch someone explain it step-by-step. It's oftentimes more useful if the written explanations offer both the explanation given in the video AND a different way of reaching the same conclusion/eliminating the wrong answer choice/selecting the right one. That way there's multiple ways of understanding how to get to the right outcome.
I prefer the written explanations because I sometimes get distracted when trying to watch the videos. If the written doesn't help me understand what went wrong, then I will watch the video!!
Written only, because I don't often have the patience for video explanations since they contain a more full explanation whereas I usually only require the bits and pieces I got wrong, if that makes sense. I often only require the brief explanations regarding the answer I chose wrong and the answer that was right; the breakdown of the question itself is something I am already comfortable with.