Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We've got answers.
About Pretty Good Prep
What is Pretty Good Prep?
Pretty Good Prep is a practice exam platform for university students. We provide practice problems organized by topic, so you can drill exactly what you need for your specific course.
What courses do you support?
We currently focus on McGill University courses, particularly in math, sciences, and engineering. We're constantly adding new courses based on student demand. Check out our course catalog to see what's available.
Where do your practice problems come from?
Our problems are a mix of modified historical exam questions and original problems we've authored.
At the time of writing, about half are based on real past exams but modified for copyright reasons — for example, if the original asked about sin(x), we might use cos(2x) instead. Same concept, different numbers.
The other half are supplemental exercises we've written based on our extensive experience with Canadian university mathematics. We know what makes a good exam question.
How It Works
How should I use Pretty Good Prep to study?
Focus on the topics you're weakest in, then practice until you can solve problems without notes, quickly, and correctly.
Check out our How to Study guide for the full strategy — it'll change how you think about exam prep.
What are the lessons?
Lessons are short explanations of key concepts, formulas, and techniques for each topic. They're designed to quickly get you up to speed before you start practicing problems.
All lessons are currently free!
How are problems organized?
Problems are organized by skill (topic), so you can drill exactly what you need. Instead of randomly working through old exams hoping you hit the right material, you can target your weak areas directly.
Study Strategy
Why is my practice score higher than my exam score?
This is completely normal! Exam conditions (time pressure, stress, no notes) always reduce performance. If you're scoring 80% in practice, expect 65-70% on the real exam.
That's why you need to practice at a higher level than your target grade. Want an 80%? Aim for 90%+ in practice. Learn more in our How to Study guide.
How do I know when I'm actually ready for an exam?
You're ready when you can pass the three-checkbox test for every problem type:
- No outside help — solve it without notes or hints
- In a timely manner — at exam pace, not "eventually"
- Perfect answer — correct, not "close enough"
If you can't hit all three in practice, you're not ready for that problem type on the exam.
How many practice problems should I do?
It's not about the number — it's about mastery. Do enough problems for each skill until you can solve them cold (no notes, quickly, correctly).
For some topics, that might be 3 problems. For harder topics, it might be 15. You'll know you've got it when problems start feeling automatic.
Can I use AI tools like ChatGPT alongside Pretty Good Prep?
Absolutely! AI tools are great for getting explanations when you're stuck. But remember: understanding ≠ mastery.
Use AI to understand concepts, then close it and practice problems without help. If you always have AI open, you're practicing recognition, not recall — and the exam tests recall.
Account & Access
Is Pretty Good Prep free?
We offer lots of free content! At the time of writing:
- All lessons are free — learn the concepts at no cost
- The oldest exam in every course is free — try before you buy
Check out our course catalog to see what's available.
Can I use Pretty Good Prep on my phone?
Yes! Pretty Good Prep works on any device with a web browser — phone, tablet, or computer. No app download needed.
Do I need an account to use Pretty Good Prep?
You can browse courses and view some content without an account. To track your progress and access all features, you'll want to create a free account.
How do I reset my password?
Click "Forgot password?" on the login page and enter your email. We'll send you a link to reset your password. If you don't see the email, check your spam folder.
Can I request a refund?
If you're not satisfied with your purchase, reach out to us at yxcpgcm3@anonaddy.me and we'll work something out. We want you to feel good about using Pretty Good Prep.
Technical Issues
The website isn't loading properly. What should I do?
Try these steps:
- Refresh the page (Ctrl+R or Cmd+R)
- Clear your browser cache
- Try a different browser
- Disable browser extensions temporarily
If it's still broken, email us at yxcpgcm3@anonaddy.me with details about what's happening.
I found an error in a problem or solution. How do I report it?
We appreciate error reports! Email us at yxcpgcm3@anonaddy.me with:
- The course and problem you're looking at
- What the error is
- What you think the correct answer should be (if applicable)
We'll fix it as soon as we can!