Exam-Prep.ai

ExamPrep.ai

Client

ExamPrep.ai

My Role

Product Designer

Platform

Web
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Overview
ExamPrep.ai is trying to create a CPA Study business, but has a 12% retention rate. It has two other competitors and has been bleeding active users to them.
Key Objectives
Do a complete website and UI redesign. Making a simpler and more streamlined user experience. Hopefully leading to higher active user retention.
Goal
The primary objective of this project was to develop a user-centric web application for a B2C audience within a projected 3–4 month timeline. This initiative included a comprehensive UI overhaul, supported by extensive user research, persona development, prototyping, wireframing, information architecture, and design system creation, culminating in a fully functional platform. My team and I prioritized reducing cognitive load through visual consistency while helping establish a strong brand identity for this emerging company. Additionally, we designed the visual representation of an AI tutor and developed interactive e-learning experiences to support users preparing for a four-part, 16-hour certification exam.
About ExamPrep.Ai
ExamPrep.ai is an advanced AI-driven platform designed to optimize CPA exam preparation through customized study plans that address each user's unique strengths and areas for improvement.

Team: 3 Product Designers and 1 Engineer
Methods Used: Secondary Research, Competitor Analysis, User Interviews, Storyboarding, Personas, Agile.
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My Role
1. Collaborated with the client and internal team members to translate ideas and feedback into visual mockups and design concepts.

2. Created the majority of low-fidelity sketches, incorporating client guidance to develop the final high-fidelity UI for ExamPrep.ai.

3. Developed user personas based on research conducted by our team, helping to guide key design decisions.

4. Leveraged an existing design system, created by a team designer, to redesign the Review section of the ExamPrep.ai platform. This redesign introduced an AI study companion, integrating conversational design principles and promoting active content engagement for students.

5. Assisted in conducting user interviews and gathering user research to ensure design decisions were informed by data-driven insights.

In-Depth Research

Here is some in-depth research conducted by me and my team:

1

qualitative interviews:We conducted extensive qualitative interviews and surveys with current users across multiple continents to gather diverse insights and perspectives.

2

Market Analysis: A thorough review of competing CPA prep platforms revealed that the existing site lacked a clear brand identity and was significantly more complex and cluttered than its competitors.

3

Persona Development: Detailed user personas were developed based on research findings to represent key audience segments and guide design decisions throughout the project.

4

User Testing: We conducted usability testing with current site users from a wide range of geographic locations to gather diverse feedback and ensure broad applicability of our design solutions.

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Starting Point:
Our four-person team, distributed across three time zones, conducted all collaboration virtually via Zoom. During the kickoff meeting, we gathered the client’s primary goals for the website redesign. Two key priorities emerged: repositioning the navigation bar from the top to the left side of the interface, and integrating an AI tutor into the platform to enhance the learning experience.

Visual Alignment with the Brand's Mission:

During our design audit, we uncovered multiple visual inconsistencies — including issues with typographic hierarchy, color usage, and an overuse of progress indicators. To better align with the brand’s mission of simplifying the study experience, we developed a comprehensive design system in Figma, built on the site’s existing Quasar.js framework. The system leveraged the Quasar component library and defined contextual use of colors and typography across platform features. This approach ensured visual consistency across all screens and set the foundation for a seamless development and handoff process.
Design System made by Minru Sherry Wu
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Personas
I created multiple persona's to show the type of users using ExamPrep.ai's interface. This helped show the core audience and their struggles to the CEO.
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Design Process

Information Architecture

The platform was meticulously designed to deliver an intuitive user experience, thoughtfully balancing educational content, interactive elements, and opportunities for community engagement.

Wireframing and Prototyping

Initial wireframes were transformed into interactive prototypes, which were tested and refined through multiple iterations. This phase was critical in optimizing user flows and enhancing interface usability.

User Interface
Design

The design aimed to create a visually compelling and emotionally engaging experience, featuring an innovative AI interface, intuitive iconography, and a streamlined, easy-to-navigate layout. User feedback confirmed that the interface not only improved navigation but also made studying feel more approachable and engaging, especially for users who were initially overwhelmed by the exam content.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

We placed a strong emphasis on ensuring the platform was accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Key features included screen reader compatibility, color contrast adjustments for users with color blindness, and scalable text to accommodate varying levels of visual acuity. Accessibility testing was conducted throughout the design process, and user feedback highlighted these features as essential to creating a more inclusive and supportive study environment.

Launch

The launch of ExamPrep.ai took place after my team and I transitioned off the project. The CEO and internal team implemented all of our recommended design changes, resulting in a significantly improved platform. Upon launch, users immediately noticed the enhanced navigation and overall ease of use, with many expressing surprise at the dramatic improvements in the user experience.

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Post Launch

Following the launch, we closely monitored user engagement and retention metrics. ExamPrep.ai fully implemented our design recommendations, which contributed to a measurable increase in user retention and overall market share.

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Conclusion

The client implemented all of our recommended changes, resulting in a significant increase in active user retention—from 12% to 70%. Since simplifying the website, the company has experienced noticeable growth and an improved reputation within its market.