# What makes a great course

The rules behind a good Kapi Works course. Each one says whether Kapi checks it or it is guidance for you and your AI.

A course people finish and remember is short, practical and set in their own work. These rules come from Kapi's checks and from the shapes of the [course types](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build). Each says **Kapi checks this**, with a link to the check, or **Guidance**.

## Keep it short

* **Lessons of 4 to 7 minutes**, with two to four pages each. Kapi checks this: [`lesson_long`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/lesson-long).
* **Short sentences.** Shorter sentences are easier to read, especially in a second language. Kapi checks this: [`sentence_long`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/sentence-long).
* **A quick refresher takes 8 to 12 minutes in all.** Kapi checks this on a quick refresher: [`refresher_too_long`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/refresher-too-long).
* **One idea a page.** A page people can read in a minute or two keeps them going. Guidance.

## Set it in their work

* **Questions set in a situation from the job.** They check that people can use what they learned. Kapi checks this: [`few_situations`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/few-situations).
* **Scenario practice opens with a choice.** Each lesson starts with a situation to choose from. Kapi checks this on scenario practice: [`scenario_opening_missing`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/scenario-opening-missing).
* **Walkthroughs show numbered steps, with a picture of each.** Kapi checks this on a walkthrough: [`walkthrough_steps_missing`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/walkthrough-steps-missing) and [`walkthrough_picture_missing`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/walkthrough-picture-missing).
* **Use the company's own words for its tools, teams and forms.** Guidance.

## Ask, then explain

* **A practice question in every lesson.** Kapi checks this on a training course: [`lesson_without_question`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/lesson-without-question).
* **In a quick refresher, every page asks first.** People who know the answer move on; the feedback teaches the rest. Kapi checks this on a quick refresher: [`refresher_question_first`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/refresher-question-first).
* **Every choice says why it is right or wrong.** Kapi checks this: [`feedback_missing`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/feedback-missing).
* **Every question explains its answer.** Kapi checks this: [`explanation_missing`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/explanation-missing).
* **Wrong choices people might really pick.** A question is only as good as its wrong answers. Guidance.

## Make the test fair

* **Test questions sit on no page.** Kapi's test draws them from a held pool, so people meet them fresh. Kapi checks this: [`held_question_on_page`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/held-question-on-page).
* **A pool larger than the draw**, so retakes ask different questions. Kapi checks this: [`pool_too_small`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/pool-too-small) and [`pool_small`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/pool-small), and on a certificate course [`certificate_pool_small`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/certificate-pool-small).
* **The pool covers every lesson.** Guidance.

## Say only what your documents say

* **A source for every answer key**, quoted word for word in `support.json`. Kapi checks this: [`support_missing`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/support-missing) and [`quote_not_found`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/quote-not-found).
* **Numbers, money, dates and named Acts come from the source.** Kapi checks this: [`fact_not_in_source`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/fact-not-in-source).
* **A changed rule shows the old one once**, starting "Before" and the date it changed. Kapi checks this on a what changed course: [`change_before_missing`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/change-before-missing).
* **No promises the course does not keep.** Say what the course does. Kapi checks this: [`claim_word`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/claim-word).

## Leave the ending to the company

* **The closing says the learning is finished.** The company's rules decide what comes after, such as a test or a signature, and Kapi adds it. Kapi checks this: [`closing_names_ending`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/closing-names-ending).
* **No test, score or certificate in the pages.** Guidance.

## Write for everyone

* **Every picture has alt text**, unless it adds nothing to the words. Kapi checks this: [`alt_missing`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/alt-missing).
* **Speech has captions.** Kapi checks this: [`captions_missing`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/captions-missing).
* **Plain words, and "you" for the learner.** Guidance.
* **No personal data.** Write `{company.name}` for the company and use a contact block for who to ask, not a real name, email or phone number. Kapi checks the [placeholders](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/placeholders): [`placeholder_unknown`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/placeholder-unknown).
* **Links use https, to hosts the course lists.** Kapi checks this: [`link_not_https`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/link-not-https) and [`link_host_undeclared`](https://docs.kapiworks.com/build/reference/checks/link-host-undeclared).