LinkedIn Learning, formerly known as Lynda, is an online learning platform that offers a wide variety of video courses taught by industry experts. It covers topics like business, creative, and technology skills. Many learners use LinkedIn Learning to gain new skills, advance their careers, and get certified.
Like any online course platform, LinkedIn Learning has assessments and exams to evaluate learners’ understanding of the material. Sometimes learners may not pass the exams on their first try. In this article, we’ll look at whether LinkedIn Learning allows retaking exams and how the retake policy works.
Does LinkedIn Learning Allow Retaking Exams?
Yes, LinkedIn Learning does allow learners to retake exams they have previously failed or want to improve on. The platform does not limit the number of retakes. Learners can retake an exam as many times as they want.
However, there are a few caveats to the retake policy:
- There is a waiting period between retakes. Learners cannot immediately retake an exam they just failed.
- The questions are randomized on each retake. Learners will get different questions each time, so they cannot just memorize the answers.
- There are no penalties or flags for multiple retakes. Retakes do not count against the learner in any way.
As long as learners allow enough time between exams, they can take the exam over and over until they pass and master the material.
What is the Waiting Period for Retaking an Exam?
LinkedIn Learning enforces a waiting period before learners can access an exam they have already taken. The required waiting period depends on the exam length:
- For exams with 1-25 questions, learners must wait 12 hours before retaking the exam.
- For exams with 26-50 questions, learners must wait 24 hours before retaking.
- For exams with 51+ questions, learners must wait 48 hours before they can attempt the exam again.
This waiting period is designed to give learners time to review the material again before reattempting the exam. It prevents learners from taking the exam over and over back-to-back, which defeats the purpose of comprehensively evaluating their skills.
Learners will see a countdown timer when they fail an exam indicating how much time they have left before their next retake. Once the waiting period has elapsed, learners can open the exam again and retake it.
Why are There Waiting Periods Between Retakes?
LinkedIn Learning enforces waiting periods between exam retakes for a few key reasons:
- Prevent memorization – By making learners wait before retrying, LinkedIn Learning ensures they cannot just memorize answers and regurgitate them. Waiting periods encourage proper studying.
- Allow time to review – The waiting time enables learners to go back and review course material to improve their knowledge.
- Maintain exam integrity – Waiting periods safeguard against abuse of the retake option and uphold the integrity of certification exams.
- Avoid user frustration – Getting exam questions wrong repeatedly can frustrate learners. Waiting periods give them time to digest and prepare.
Overall, the required waiting windows aim to facilitate meaningful learning and evaluate proficiency accurately.
What Happens When You Retake an Exam on LinkedIn Learning?
When retaking an exam on LinkedIn Learning, learners can expect a few key things:
- The questions will be different from previous attempts, except any questions marked as required by the instructor.
- Performance on the previous exam has no bearing on the retake. Learners start fresh.
- The passing score required does not change between retakes.
- Learners can review their previous wrong answers before attempting the exam again.
- The course overview page will display the learner’s highest exam score earned.
Essentially, each retake acts as a brand new exam. Learners are evaluated independently each time they open the assessment. Their goal remains the same – to achieve the set passing score for that exam.
How Many Times Can You Retake an Exam on LinkedIn Learning?
There is no limit to the number of times learners can retake an exam on LinkedIn Learning. As long as the required waiting period has passed, learners can retake the exam as many times as they want.
The platform does not set any maximum retake limits or flag accounts for excessive retakes. Learners’ past performances are not factored into subsequent attempts either.
However, most learners do not take advantage of unlimited retakes. The primary goal is to master the material rather than pass the exam through repeated tries. Also, with the question randomization, unlimited retakes are not an easy way out.
Why Does LinkedIn Learning Allow Unlimited Retakes?
A few reasons why LinkedIn Learning leaves retake limits open-ended for learners are:
- To be more learner-centric – Different learners may require more retakes to grasp concepts based on their skill level and background.
- Accommodate diverse learning paces – Some learners acquire skills faster than others. Unlimited retakes provide flexibility.
- Support mastery-based learning – Focus is on mastering skills rather than narrowly passing an exam.
- No retake limits – Most other major online learning platforms also do not limit retake attempts.
Ultimately, unlimited retakes with reasonable waiting windows give learners the flexibility to master skills at their own pace.
Best Practices for Retaking LinkedIn Learning Exams
To make the most out of the retake option on LinkedIn Learning, keep these best practices in mind:
- Treat each retake as a fresh attempt – Do not get demoralized by previous failures.
- Analyze gaps thoroughly – Understand the core concepts you struggled with.
- Leverage course materials – Revisit video lectures, notes, slides pertaining to difficult areas.
- Wait the full duration – Use the entire waiting period to maximize review time.
- Practice before retaking – Do hands-on exercises and sample tests for additional prep.
- Retake until mastery – Keep retaking until you grasp the material completely.
With the right approach, retaking exams can be an opportunity for deeper learning.
Conclusion
LinkedIn Learning allows unlimited exam retakes with reasonable waiting periods in between attempts. This retake policy enables learners to work towards complete mastery of the material at their own pace. While retake limits would lower integrity, unlimited attempts accompanied by randomized questions promote serious learning. By using retakes effectively, learners can maximize skills acquisition even if they do not pass the exam in earlier attempts. Retakes on LinkedIn Learning should be approached as meaningful learning opportunities rather than just exam-passing hurdles.