# Sharpen - College Exam Prep — user reviews > 132 indexed App Store user reviews of Sharpen by McGraw-Hill, rated 4.70/5 from 3,109 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sharpen-college-exam-prep/id1595642363/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sharpen-college-exam-prep/id1595642363.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 2,622 · 4★ 278 · 3★ 89 · 2★ 26 · 1★ 94 ## What do users think of Sharpen? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 🚀 Helpful study tools - 👍 Intuitive and easy to use - 💡 Directly tied to textbooks - 👍 Useful for exam preparation **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs - 🔒 Login and sign-in issues - 💰 Subscription-based model - 🤔 Limited subject coverage **Commonly reported bugs** - Incorrect answer registrations - Repeated questions across chapters - Inability to restart quizzes - Crashing and freezing issues **Most requested features** - Expand subject coverage to include more disciplines - Improve stability and reduce crashes - Add support for landscape mode and multitasking on iPad - Provide more variety and randomization of practice questions ## Newest reviews (14 of 132) ### 3/5 — Not useful *2026-05-21, version 4.3.9* It gave a lot of redundant information that was no on my test of exams. While doing it I had a hard time going to where I was at in class. It gave me grades like a class, but I was not trying to use this as a class only for reference or clarification. I didn’t find it useful. Like the smartbook program lots of info that did not help. ### 3/5 — Poorly executed app *2026-03-27, version 4.3.7* Sharpen throws their obligatory AI throughout their app, yet it is unusable to free members- and yet it is also unremovable from the home page of their app. ### 2/5 — Slow and Glitchy *2026-01-30, version 4.3.1* I really like that they offer exact books and lots of practice in each chapter or content, but you can’t even flow through the work without dozens of glitches or delays making it harder to focus or memorize. Good idea, poor execution - I hope they can update these issues. (Only two stars for the exact textbook) ### 2/5 — Just no *2026-01-17, version 4.1.3* I was really excited for the concept and idea of this app. I really liked how it came straight from the source of where I’m learning. With that said, I spend more time trying to fix glitches than actually studying. I’d be nice if I could use the app without wanting to throw my phone across the room because it pisses me off so much. ### 2/5 — Not enough questions *2026-01-11, version 4.1.3* It's great the questions match the book but there’s not enough questions to learn the information. Accounting student here and have to say Quizlet is better for studying and Chegg is much better for homework help. Should definitely offer more example problems. ### 3/5 — Helpful *2025-11-08, version 4.1.1* The quizzes are helpful but I wish the questions would switch around to make it more challenging. I don’t like how the cartoon celebrates me finishing and then the score is low. I need a sad face or something ### 3/5 — Good Content, Significant Technical Flaws *2025-10-22* I'm using Sharpen+ subscription for a business class. While the study content is valuable, the app itself is very frustrating due to significant technical flaws. The app regularly fails to save my progress, videos stop playing midway, and quizzes have confusing or flawed questions. These bugs are disruptive and make the app feel unfinished. I'm only sticking with it for the content and would immediately switch to a more reliable alternative if one were available. ### 2/5 — Annoyed *2025-10-20, version 4.0.1* It isn’t allowing me to purchase a membership and it logs me out without recognizing my email even when I put the code in! I’m actually so frustrated bc I could really use those study tools but will not allow me to purchase 🙄 ### 4/5 — Limited *2025-09-21, version 3.5.8* The app will not allow you to go beyond basic. It asks for payment to go further than that. ### 4/5 — :) *2025-08-31, version 3.5.6* Good enough for college books ### 3/5 — Sign in *2025-06-08, version 3.1.6* Update I finally got in with an account that I made when I was trying to log in in the past thought I’d re-download the app and try and it finally gave me a code from my email That was from months ago deleted my account on my iPad and it’s still not letting me make a new one loved this app originally but they need to fix this:/ Old: I’m on my third account now I had one with no issues lost it made a new one and now it’s telling me there’s an error to sign in that I’ve requested otp too many times or I waited and re-did it ### 1/5 — terrible *2025-04-19, version 3.1.3* 0out of 5 experience. I don’t have the access to the book i bought from McGrawHill and they keep navigating me to this stupid app. This thing doesn’t show the book even after I logged in multiple times. I’m done struggling with this thing. I might be to dumb to use this thing but it’s just a fact that this thing is so freaking time consuming and annoying. ### 1/5 — Everything’s behind the subscription *2025-04-15* How are all your spokespeople going to go on and on about how this is an amazing, “free”, study app, but then there’s essentially nothing for you to use unless you’re willing to pay, at minimum, $18/month. That’s absolutely absurd! Not to mention the things you can access aren’t that good. When you want to retake a quiz, the questions shouldn’t be the exact same! It should generate different questions, yknow, so you can actually learn the material instead of memorizing the answers! For shame **Developer response:** Hey, thanks for trying Sharpen. We understand your feedback. Our free app includes a lot- flashcards, summaries, and samples of our videos and quizzes, for over 140+ titles. You can use the free trial to try our premium content (which comes with different questions for quiz retakes). Longer subscriptions have lower monthly rates. We hope you'll give Sharpen another try! If you have questions or more detailed feedback, you can email us at hello@studysharpen.com ### 2/5 — Ugh *2025-04-10, version 3.1.2* Keeps logging out and makes me sign in repeatedly. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — The app itself struggles; it keeps crashing. *2026-06-08, version 4.3.10* I would watch a clip, the whole screen would freeze and then would have to rewatch or if finished with the clip I would have to close out the app and restart it. ### 1/5 — Incredibly hard to get the account started *2026-04-26, version 4.3.8* Redundant process and extremely frustrating! I am trying to study for a test and this app was marketed as helpful, but it’s not. ### 1/5 — iPad app glitches and bugs *2026-02-06, version 4.3.2* When using the improve tabs the window that opens that shows the option for either testing or deep dive. The window is partially cut off and it won’t let u scroll within it making it literally impossible to use ### 1/5 — The advertise of this app is on first pages of every damn book just click the content to skip that *2026-01-11, version 4.1.3* I only works for iPad or iPhone so it’s incredibly unsatisfying to see in on iMac, because you could never really see the full screen. And it made it appear on the first page of every book it sells, make you think it’s a necessity, and it’s not. And I am also not able to delete it. ### 1/5 — Don’t waste your time. *2025-12-09, version 4.1.2* I’ve tried multiple times to use this tool and have never been able to log in. (Sharpen.missingcontenterror) is all I ever get. I’ve removed the app and reinstalled. So much time wasted in trying to troubleshoot. Such a waste of time. ### 1/5 — Could be better *2025-10-28, version 4.0.2* I don’t think the app is worth the extra money (Sharpen) , unfortunately I can’t get a refund since this subscription it’s connected to the Connect + and my school requires it for A&P. The app has many glitches, stops working mid quizzes, keeps logging me out, and over all navigating it seems complicated to me. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2025-10-09, version 4.0* I’m a bit upset, I cannot log into this app after seeing multiple times and am not recording an email to sign in. You shouldn’t need a code to sign in. ### 1/5 — not able to sign up *2025-10-02, version 4.0* Can’t sign up to use any of the services. ### 1/5 — Cut it out with trying to get me to buy stuff. I can’t even open my text book because of the pop up *2025-09-10, version 3.5.6* >:( ### 1/5 — Do not purchase with a Connect Bundle *2025-05-12* I purchased a 180 day access along with my Connect Access for Medical Language. I received an error message on my iPhone app, IPad app, and computer when I tried to use it. The suggestion from tech didn’t correct the situation. I called for a refund but since it’s connected with my Connect purchase which is required for my class, I couldn’t cancel it to receive a refund. If you want to take a chance, try one month. Don’t purchase in a bundle. Hope this saves someone some money. **Developer response:** Hi, we are really sorry to hear this. Please reach out and email us at hello@studysharpen.com with more details so we can investigate. We will do what we can to resolve this. Thank you. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — study help *2026-02-08, version 4.3.2* great practice and easy to use if you’re on your phone you might as well study ### 5/5 — Exceeded Expectations *2025-07-29, version 3.5.1* This has become one of my favorite study apps. Well worth the purchase. The AI tied to specific texts help deliver content that I know I can trust. Very easy to use. Loving this app! ### 5/5 — I love sharpen. *2025-07-02* I love sharpen, but can you fix a mistake I found in the financial accounting book. It’s in the chapter one in the practice section 5. It says that stock holders equity when you sum common stock 20,000 and 10,000 retained earnings it equals 35,000. I’m pretty sure it equals 30,000. So, if you can fix that. It will save many frustrations out of peoples heads. **Developer response:** Hi study buddy thanks for the amazing 5 star review :) We're so glad you're enjoying Sharpen and really appreciate your feedback...That kind of feedback helps us improve the experience for everyone! Feel free to email us anytime at hello@studysharpen.com if you have more suggestions. We’re here to help you master the semester! ### 5/5 — Fantastic Study Took *2025-05-30, version 3.1.5* Best study tool I’ve worked with. Super easy to use. Love how it breaks the info into small chunks. ### 5/5 — Easy and efficient *2025-05-09, version 3.1.4* Hiiiii I love this app the flash cards and quizzes are accurate and easy to memorize!!!! ### 5/5 — Fun for Microbiology *2025-04-23, version 3.1.3* I love this, it helps me brush up on the basics so I can go more in depth in class and memorize for the long term. ### 5/5 — Great App *2025-03-12, version 3.0.14* Has been really helpful especially in my science based classes. ### 5/5 — First app I’ve ever rated *2024-10-15* This app has been crucial for passing my exams and understanding how to do my homework. I cannot stress enough how helpful this is, the guided solutions are so insanely helpful. The textbook explains concepts well but doesn’t explain how to actually solve these problems while this app actually explains how to solve the problems. **Developer response:** We are so excited to hear you've had a great experience with Sharpen and it's helping you succeed in your classes! If you want to share more detailed feedback about the app or let us know what features you want us to add, you can email us at hello@studysharpen.com. We're always happy to hear from users. ### 5/5 — Es una buena app de estudio *2024-09-17, version 3.0.6* Sería bueno que tuviera una opción para poner subtitulos. pero bueno, así puedo practicar más mi ingles. ### 5/5 — Great app, definitely worth it BUT *2024-04-21* It needs more content for all the McGraw Hill courses. Connect is abhorrent, Sharpen brings the material to life. Move some marketing dollars over to Sharpen. That said, to improve Sharpen it would be great to practice the wrong quiz answers with more depth. For example, if a student had 3 incorrect answers, direct them to further resources. You have a great concept here, invest a little more, please! **Developer response:** Thank you for taking the time to review Sharpen and provide us with insightful feedback! We love hearing from our users and are always working to improve the app. If you want to share any additional suggestions, you can always email us at hello@studysharpen.com. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*