By Jake Reed
For as long as we’ve known it, Quizlet was the perfect companion for studying. Even after the gravity mode was removed, the site followed me through middle school, providing intense races in match mode, endless practice in customizable practice tests and the photographic recollection you gain after completing a “learn” session.
In 2022, that hype died down when the paid membership Quizlet Plus rolled in. “Now, those without a Quizlet Plus account will have just one practice test and five rounds of learn mode per study set. Quizlet Plus users are charged either $35.99 annually, or $7.99 per month (Jacobs).”
Hope was restored with a small dragon named Kai. Kai, the mascot or AI system of the site, assisted in Knowt’s growth through his appeal to the younger generations who will be using the app.
The advertisement on TikTok proves most especially effective by showcasing Kai as witty and with the times. He keeps with popular trends online while still providing information valuable to high school students. Oddly enough, it extends past getting good grades and preparing for AP exams so much that Kai even gives relationship advice.
You can tell that the creators want to make sure that they win over the students by focusing on more of a holistic aspect on social media— their social life, colleges, sports, all on top of studying tactics. The same gamification we see in modern video games and media sites continues in Knowt with users being pressured to check in daily with a “streaks” function. Also, the app grants you the ability to level up with XP and earn coins to purchase power-ups for your account.
Kai is even snappy enough to call out Quizlet directly, offering a solution in which a Quizlet set can actually be imported and studied without limits on attempts.
Furthermore, Knowt has also stayed towards the front of the AI race. Kai has the ability to read, summarize, and create flashcards for any PowerPoint, video, notes or PDF you import. It even goes to the extent that it can listen to lectures and within seconds can produce a study guide for whatever was stated.
My favorite feature of the app has to be the AP Practice Room. It can provide you with practice Free Response Questions (FRQs), an indefinite amount of multiple choice questions, and even an AP grading calculator. With the ability to focus on certain units and select the difficulty of questions, you are bound to form a strong understanding of the material if you practice periodically throughout the year.
Knowt seems to be the unannounced future of our study resources. Its features not only fulfill the void Quizlet left but surpass any expectations for a study resource in the past few years. The best part is that it is so effective in drawing you in that once you are there, it relieves you of the stress you’d typically feel when lost in studying.
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