Amazon, the e-commerce giant launched its first EdTech platform in India this January. Known earlier as ‘JEE Ready’, the platform is rebranded and launched as Amazon Academy. Students from class 11th and 12th from the science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Math) can enroll on this platform.
It is currently free of cost and available on Google Play Store and on its website (in beta mode).
What does Amazon Academy offer?
Amazon Academy offers live lessons conducted by expert JEE teachers, All India Mock Test Series, Practice Questions, and Daily Tips and Tricks. This platform can also be used by students preparing for competitive exams like BITSAT, VITEEE, SRMJEEE, MET, etc.
Live Classes from Experts:
The live classes consist of interactive lessons, real-time doubt solving sessions, and well-structured courses. The video recordings of the classes and the study materials are provided after each session.
All India Live Mock Test Series:
Amazon Academy conducts live mock test series prepared by expert JEE faculties. It is conducted at a national level and students can compare their performance with other JEE aspirants across India. Along with the results, it also provides a detailed report of chapter-wise and subject-wise performance.
Unlimited Practice Questions and Tests:
With more than 15000 practice questions, this platform delivers hints and detailed step-to-step solutions. It also includes chapter-wise and subject-wise test papers that can be accessed by students at any time.
Previous Years Question Papers:
The platform provides an exhaustive question bank of previous years’ question papers also with hints and step-by-step solutions. You will find study materials for both JEE Mains and JEE Advanced.
Daily Tips and Tricks:
Amazon Academy provides shortcuts, mnemonics, and exam tips to help students retain the concepts and solve questions faster.
Amazon Academy’s Impact on the Indian EdTech Industry
A report titled ‘The Great Un-Lockdown: Indian Edtech’, mentions that Indian EdTech platforms have raised $4 billion in the last five years (2016-2020).
The pandemic in 2020 gave the biggest boost to India’s Edtech companies. They have had unprecedented growth in users, valuations, and funding. However, as Byju Raveendran puts it “it is just the tip of the iceberg”. There is a huge untapped market out there. Obviously, companies like Amazon look at this as a great business opportunity.
Amol Gurwara, Director, Education at Amazon India, said, “Amazon Academy aims to bring high quality, affordable education to all, starting with those preparing for engineering entrance examinations. Our mission is to help students achieve their outcomes while also empowering educators and content partners reach millions of students. Our primary focus has been on content quality, deep learning analytics, and student experience”
Amazon’s entry into this frenzied EdTech sector could mean that the other EdTech companies have to get their act together. Amazon is a customer-centric company and it has the wherewithal to dominate this space.
Competitors in the Indian EdTech Market:
India is home to some of the most valuable EdTech companies in the world. Indian EdTechs like BYJU’S, Unacademy, Vedantu etc. have witnessed massive growth in the number of registrations and students on their platforms.
BYJU’S, the only EdTech decacorn from India, founded by Byju Raveendran, is leading the Indian EdTech industry. BYJU’S offers free and premium content for K-12 courses, JEE, NEET, IAS, CAT, etc. Other than BYJU’S; Unacademy, Gradeup, Vedantu, Toppr, etc. also offer similar courses.
Apart from these, Amazon’s global competitors like Facebook and Google are also making inroads into the lucrative Indian EdTech market. Recently, Facebook has partnered with CBSE, and invested in BYJU’S and Unacademy. Google has also partnered with CBSE to help digitize education in India.
It will be interesting to see how students and other established EdTechs react to Amazon’s foray in the Indian EdTech space.
Do you think Amazon Academy could get the same success they had in the online shopping space? We would love to hear from you in the comments section.
