Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of services we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Study Guide Service.

Ratings

Topics Covered

This rating relates to the number of different subjects with available study guides.

Quality of Content

This category is a very complex area to assess. Quality relates to the source of the material, the actual availability of the material listed on each website and how extensive the information is.

Ease of Use/Navigation

How easy is it to find a specific topic? How easy is it to get around the website? These are the two main questions to ask when assessing a website's ease of use.

Support/Help

Ratings were based on the number of help options provided by each website.

Business and Finance

Accounting

The study guide services offer material on the subject of accounting.

Marketing

Study guides can be secured for studying the process or technique of promoting, selling, and distributing a product or service in a particular market.

Finance

The study guide services offer material on the science or study of the management of funds.

Economics

Study guide services offer material on the study of economics.

Business Management

Study guide services offer material on the conducting or supervising of business.

History

United States History

Study guide services offer material on the study of the history of the United States.

European History

Study guides are available to assist in the study of European history.

World Civilizations

Study guide services offer material on the study of cultural characteristics of political units throughout history.

History of the Far East

Study guide services offer material on the study of the chronological events that have shaped the Oriental regions of Asia.

English, Grammar and Languages

English Grammar

The study guide services have materials to help individuals use correct English grammar.

English Composition

Study guide services provide materials on the composition of English writing.

English Literature

Study guide services offer material on literature of English origin.

Writing

Study guide services offer material on writing techniques.

Spanish

The service provides study guide materials for the language spoken in Spain, Mexico and most of Central and South America.

French

The service provides study guide materials for the language spoken in France, portions of Switzerland, Quebec, parts of the Caribbean and parts of Africa.

German

Study guide services offer material on the language spoken in Germany, Austria and parts of Switzerland.

Mathematics

Algebra

Study guide services offer material on Algebra.

Trigonometry

Study guides are available to assist in the study of Trigonometry.

Geometry

Study guide services offer material on Geometry

Calculus

Study guides are available to assist in the study of Calculus.

Statistics

The study of Statistics can be supplemented by study guides.

Basic

Study guide services offer notes on basic math equations and principles.

Physical Sciences

Chemistry

Services provide study notes and guides for Chemistry students.

Organic Chemistry

Study guides are available to assist in the study of O-Chem.

Biology

Study guides are available to assist in the study of Biology.

Microbiology

Students of Microbiology may obtain study notes for their subject.

Environmental Science

For those delving into the broad field of Environmental Science, study guides help provide focus.

Geology

Study guides for the study of rocks and general Earth Science can help you earn a solid grade on a test, paper or entire course.

Physiology

Study guides are available to assist students in their discovery of Physiology.

Physics

Physics studies can be greatly enhanced by a study guide or set of notes.

Astonomy

To see the stars look no further than an Astronomy study guide.

Social Sciences

Political Science

To handle the complexity of politics and government, study guides may be required.

Sociology

Study guides offer help for the study of Sociology.

Psychology

Study guides help students grasp theories from Freudianism to Piaget's quest to find out how knowledge grows.

Anthropology

Study guides help in the understanding of anthropology and the study of various cultures throughout the ages.

Philosophy

Study guide services help open the minds of the great philosophers so the minds of great philosophy students can be expanded.

Criminal Justice

Study guide services offer assistance to students of Criminal Justice.

Law

Understanding complex law can be made easier through the use of study guides.

Arts

Visual Art

Guides for visual art such as sculptures and paintings help students of artistic techniques and of art history, alike.

Performing

Dance and opera are just two types of performing arts.

Music

Musical study guides can cover anything from Bart's compositions, to the definition of a major seventh.

Classic Literature

Summaries

Condensed content of a book.

Notes

Generally an outline of a chapter or an entire book.

Analysis

Breakdown and/or criticism of the themes and motifs in a literary work.

Test Prep

ACT

Study guides for the ACT (American College Test), which is a college entrance exam in the United States, provide helpful hints to master this exam.

SAT

Now officially called the SAT, this test is a commonly used exam for college admissions. Study guides provide pointers for increasing scores.

LSAT

The LSAT (Law School Admission Test) is required for would-be law school students who seek admission in an American Bar Association accredited school.

MCAT

Study guides for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) are designed to help prospective medical school students prepare for their exam.

GRE

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is very similar to the SAT, but is used for entrance into graduate schools. Study guides give an extra bump up for prospective grad school students.

AP Exams

Study guides for students planning on taking Advanced Placement course exams can greatly increase their chances at getting the coveted score of 5.

Technical/Vocational Certifications

Anyone seeking certification in a technical or vocational field can use study guides to.

Instructional Tools and Services

Online editing services

Some study guide service websites also offer paper editing services.

Writing samples

Some people learn how to write best by reading over a few examples of well written papers. Study guide services provide samples on their websites.

Writing/study/analytical guides

Supplemental instruction, in the form of study guides, help students tweak their writing just enough to get that higher grade.

Sample essay questions

Some services include possible essay questions to help the student study the material with a focus on later writing a response.

Quizzes

Whether multiple choice, short answer or fill-in-the-blank quizzes help students think analytically.

Ease of Accessibility

Purchase without registration

You can purchase downloads and hard copies from study guide service providers without joining the club.

No purchase necessary

The notes are all free-no need to buy anything.

Membership/account available

For individuals who plan to make repeat visits/purchases, memberships are available, but not required.

Available Formats

PDF

Although some websites show their particular texts within their site as its own page, others provide a link to the text in a PDF viewer such as Adobe.

Print

Anyone can print something off their computer, but not everyone can have an actual published hard copy of it sent to their home. This service offers hard copies of their study materials.

Technical Help/Support

Telephone Support

If you want to speak to an actual person, this service provides a number to their home office.

E-mail Support

Either an e-mail address or a pop-up window for e-mailing questions, concerns and comments provide the user with an option for resolving issues.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions. You can find answers to commonly asked questions on the FAQ page.

Live Chat

If you would like personalized and immediate answers, a live chat feature may be the most effective way to find answers to your questions.

User Forums

Although there is a high probability that users have digressed to simple back-and-forth banter, there are plenty of questions answered on a user forum-�others have probably had similar questions.

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