Online tests are a good way to maintain or solidify knowledge, but university degrees are definitely more rewarding for most people
The most rewarding aspect of university study is the exposure to intelligent, educated people who are working on awesome projects. While I personally disliked many aspects of academia, the value of this community is hard to over state and it doesn't exist when you are taking online courses from your own home.
I definitely don't believe people should leave work and go back to university in any but the most exceptional cases, however. If I were to take three years off for further study it would cost over $300,000 in lost income and course fees alone, and I don't even make that much compared to many HN readers.
The most rewarding aspect of university study is the exposure to intelligent, educated people who are working on awesome projects. While I personally disliked many aspects of academia, the value of this community is hard to over state and it doesn't exist when you are taking online courses from your own home.
I definitely don't believe people should leave work and go back to university in any but the most exceptional cases, however. If I were to take three years off for further study it would cost over $300,000 in lost income and course fees alone, and I don't even make that much compared to many HN readers.