why am i playing against a clock. if the object is to learn the clock needs to be slowed down. if i find the solution in 3 moves and get -38 there is something wrong. People - students, excel on the reward system. all the clock is doing is frustrating me. additionally it is not always very clear where you expect me to start- so i think the first hint should be free - no time taken away.

more over what is alternate correct move supposed to mean. if it is correct I should be allowed to play it or at least show me the better correct move. in one puzzle I had 3 alternate moves.

Moreover my rating is 1200 and so long as whoever created these puzzles plays the way the computer is making me play - I can beat him better than 60% of the time someone needs to get with the program

I agree, there should be an option where you have unlimited time, solely for analyzing the position.  But look from Chess.com's view.  Anyone can find a solution with no clock.  Therefore, without the clock the ratings wouldn't really reflect your ability to find the tactics, (well quickly anyway).  And I'm guessing you're referring to the Tactics Trainer, Rich :).

It seems that you are talking about two or possibly three different features at the same time.

1) Tactics Trainer - I believe this is were your complaint about time is valid. It makes perfect sense, that if most people can find the move faster, than those people are better tacticians that you so you shouldn't gain as many points. Also there is the practice mode if you don't want the pressure of the clock.

2) Chess Mentor - This is where alternate correct move comes into place. It just means that the move would also win, sometimes it is not as direct as the correct move or sometimes the moves transposes. The point is there is only one "solution" but they don't want to penalize you for going down a different path.

Guys, look at what forum you are posting in.

 Actually I am referring to both

 You are completely missing the point - I said slow down the clock

on tactics trainer you have about 2 seconds and it seem whenever I an doing this one  my mouse can't hold the icon -- no I do not have problems anywhere else

if mentor is a teaching tool when I select the alternate show me the better one

don't have me guessing at what you like

When I'm having a bad run in the Tactics Trainer, I have sometimes wished that taking too long to get the (right) answer netted zero points - as opposed to -36, but I thought it was just me. 

Hi Rich, I see that you are now in a position in tactics trainer to claim to be a winner as you have the highest % of correct answers (68%) of anyone who has completed as many problems as you. I was in that position about a week ago at 62% until you passed my total of completed problems.I am finding it a big challenge to keep the % and rating up at the same time. cheers

Jeff, how in the world would you find out such a thing? lol

With regards to tactic trainer..

On some of the problems where there is a lot to calculate you can see the average time which I presume sets the time length for the problem is skewed (I assume this is how it is done).  Mainly I guess, from a large portion of those that successfully completed the problem are having quick intuitive guesses rather than actually calculating the problem out.

Which leads to problems that have very little time to calculate things out properly.

Unless of coarse the goal of the trainer is to develop intuitive skills.