How to Use Khan Academy to Pass Any Class

TL;DR

Khan Academy is free, covers almost every subject, and can genuinely help you pass (or ace) your classes. Use it to supplement your class — watch videos BEFORE lectures, do practice problems AFTER, and use the mastery system to identify gaps. Don't just watch passively; pause, take notes, and do the exercises. Combined with your class material and tools like Gradily, Khan Academy is one of the most powerful study resources available.

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Khan Academy: The Best Free Resource Nobody Uses Properly

Khan Academy has been free since 2008. It covers math from arithmetic to calculus, plus science, history, economics, computing, SAT/ACT prep, and more. It has over 150 million registered users worldwide.

And yet, most students who "use" Khan Academy do one of two things:

1. Watch a video at 2x speed, understand nothing, and give up
2. Don't use it at all because they don't know where to start

Both are wastes of an incredible resource. Khan Academy, used properly, is basically a free tutor that's available 24/7 and never gets impatient.

Let's talk about how to actually use it.

Getting Started: Your First Steps

Step 1: Create a Free Account

Go to khanacademy.org and sign up. You can use Google, email, or Apple sign-in.

Why create an account?

• Tracks your progress across all subjects
• Saves your place so you can pick up where you left off
• Mastery system shows what you know and what you need to work on
• Personalized recommendations based on your performance

Step 2: Find Your Course

Khan Academy is organized by subject → course → unit → lesson. Navigate to the subject you need help with.

Subjects available:

• Math (Pre-K through college-level)
• Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, AP versions)
• Computing (Intro to CS, AP CS)
• Arts & Humanities
• Economics
• SAT, ACT, LSAT, MCAT prep
• College Admissions
• Life Skills

Step 3: Take the Course Challenge (Optional but Smart)

Before diving in, take the course challenge or unit test for the course you're studying. This diagnostic shows you:

• What you already know (skip these sections)
• What you need to learn (focus your time here)
• Your starting mastery level

This prevents you from wasting time on stuff you've already mastered.

How to Use Khan Academy Videos Effectively

Don't Just Watch — Engage

The biggest mistake students make is treating Khan Academy videos like Netflix. You sit back, let it play, and hope information magically enters your brain.

That's not how learning works.

The active video method:

1. Watch at 1x speed (at least the first time). 2x speed is for review, not learning.
2. Pause after each step/concept. Can you explain what was just said? If not, rewind.
3. Take notes. Write down key concepts, formulas, and examples in your own words.
4. Predict what comes next. Before they solve the next step, try to figure it out yourself.
5. Do the practice problems immediately after the video. Don't watch 5 videos and then try to practice — you'll forget the first three.

When to Use Videos

Before class: Watch the Khan Academy video on tomorrow's topic. When your teacher covers it in class, it'll be the SECOND time you're hearing it, which makes it way easier to understand.

After class: If the lecture was confusing, watch the Khan Academy version for a clearer explanation. Sometimes a different voice or approach makes things click.

While doing homework: Stuck on a problem? Find the Khan video that covers that concept, watch it, then try the problem again.

Before tests: Review unit videos for concepts you're shaky on. Use 1.5x speed for review since you've seen it before.

The Practice Exercise System: Where the Real Learning Happens

Khan Academy's practice exercises are arguably more valuable than the videos. Here's why:

How Practice Works

• Each topic has a set of practice problems
• You get immediate feedback (right/wrong + explanation)
• If you get stuck, there are hints available
• Problems get progressively harder as you improve
• The system tracks your mastery level per topic

Mastery Levels

Khan uses a color-coded mastery system:

• Not started (gray) — Haven't attempted yet
• Attempted (red/orange) — Tried but not mastered
• Familiar (light blue) — Getting there
• Proficient (dark blue) — Good understanding
• Mastered (green) — You've got it

Your goal: Get every topic relevant to your class to at least "Proficient."

How to Use Practice Effectively

1. Don't use hints immediately. Struggle with the problem for at least 2-3 minutes before clicking hints.
2. Read the explanations for wrong answers. Even if you got it right, read why the other answers were wrong.
3. Redo exercises you got wrong. Come back the next day and try them again.
4. Use the "Mastery challenge" feature for spaced review of topics you've already practiced.

Subject-Specific Strategies

Using Khan Academy for Math

Math is Khan Academy's strongest subject. Here's the strategy:

For Pre-Algebra through Algebra 2:

1. Find the unit that matches what you're learning in class
2. Watch the video(s) for that specific topic
3. Do ALL the practice exercises
4. If you're struggling, go back to the prerequisite unit (Khan will suggest these)
5. Use "Course Mastery" to identify and fill gaps

For Pre-Calculus and Calculus:

1. Make sure your algebra skills are solid (Khan can diagnose this)
2. Watch videos before attempting homework
3. Do extra practice problems beyond what's assigned
4. Use the "AP Calculus AB/BC" course for AP prep

The "prerequisite chain" strategy: If you're lost in your current math class, you might be missing something from a previous year. Khan Academy shows prerequisite skills for each topic. Work backward until you find where your understanding broke down, then work forward.

Using Khan Academy for Science

Biology:

• Watch cell biology and genetics videos alongside your textbook
• Use practice questions to test understanding
• The AP Biology course aligns with the AP curriculum

Chemistry:

• Focus on understanding concepts, not just formulas
• Do stoichiometry practice problems until they're automatic
• Watch bonding and reactions videos multiple times if needed

Physics:

• Physics is VERY concept-heavy — watch videos at regular speed
• Do every practice problem available
• Use the simulations when available

Using Khan Academy for SAT/ACT Prep

Khan Academy has a dedicated, College Board-official SAT prep program. It's literally the best free SAT prep available.

How to use it:

1. Link your College Board account (if you've taken the PSAT)
2. Khan creates a personalized study plan based on your scores
3. Practice 20-30 minutes daily for 4-8 weeks before the test
4. Take full practice tests under timed conditions
5. Review every wrong answer

For ACT: Khan's ACT prep isn't as robust as the SAT prep, but their math and science content is still excellent for ACT preparation.

Using Khan Academy for History and Humanities

Khan's history content is solid for big-picture understanding:

• AP US History, World History, European History courses available
• Use videos to get the narrative, then your textbook for details
• Great for understanding historical themes and cause-effect relationships

Integrating Khan Academy With Your Class

The "Flipped" Approach

1. Before class: Watch the Khan video on the upcoming topic (15-20 min)
2. During class: You'll understand the lecture better because it's review
3. After class: Do Khan practice + your homework
4. Before the test: Use Khan's unit test and mastery challenges for review

The "Rescue" Approach (When You're Already Behind)

1. Identify which specific topics you're lost on
2. Watch those Khan videos at 1x speed with notes
3. Do the practice exercises until "Proficient"
4. Re-attempt your homework or review old tests
5. Ask your teacher or use Gradily for anything Khan didn't clarify

The "Test Prep" Approach

1. Two weeks before the test: take the Khan unit test for each unit
2. Identify weak areas from your results
3. Watch videos and do practice for weak areas only
4. Take the mastery challenge daily
5. Retake the unit test 2 days before the real test

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Khan Academy

Tip 1: Be Consistent

15-20 minutes daily is better than 3 hours on Sunday. Your brain learns through consistent exposure, not marathon sessions.

Tip 2: Use the Mobile App

Khan Academy has a solid mobile app. Use it during:

• Bus rides
• Waiting rooms
• Lunch breaks
• Those random 10-minute gaps in your day

Tip 3: Don't Skip the Easy Stuff

If a topic seems "too easy," do 5 practice problems anyway. Either you'll confirm you know it (great, move on) or you'll discover a gap you didn't know about.

Tip 4: Use Teacher/Class Mode

If your teacher uses Khan Academy in class, make sure your account is linked to their class. Your teacher can see your progress and might give credit for Khan work.

Tip 5: Download for Offline

The mobile app lets you download videos for offline use. Great for studying without Wi-Fi.

Khan Academy's Limitations (And What to Use Instead)

Khan Academy is incredible, but it's not perfect:

Where Khan Falls Short

• Writing and essays: Khan doesn't help you write papers or improve your prose
• Personalized homework help: Khan teaches concepts but can't help with YOUR specific assignment
• Real-time Q&A: You can't ask follow-up questions to a video
• Some niche topics: Not every specific topic your class covers is on Khan

Complement Khan With Other Tools

• Gradily — For specific homework help, essay guidance, and personalized explanations
• YouTube channels (Organic Chemistry Tutor, Professor Leonard, Crash Course) — For alternative explanations
• Quizlet/Anki — For memorization and flashcards
• Your teacher — For questions that only YOUR teacher can answer

How Gradily and Khan Academy Work Together

Think of it this way:

• Khan Academy = Learning the concept from scratch (the lesson)
• Gradily = Getting help on your specific homework problem (the application)

Use Khan to understand the concept. Use Gradily when you're applying that concept to an assignment and get stuck. Together, they cover both the learning and the doing.

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Final Thoughts

Khan Academy is one of the greatest educational resources ever created, and it's completely free. But like any tool, it only works if you use it properly.

Don't just watch. Engage. Practice. Be consistent.

Twenty minutes a day on Khan Academy could be the difference between struggling in a class and actually understanding the material. And understanding — not just passing — is the real goal.

Go create your account (if you haven't already) and start learning. Your future GPA will thank you. 📚