I seem to be stuck at Tactics, hanging around 1100.  If I try to think longer to get the right answer, and get it, it still docks me negative points for taking so long.  Do the mentor exercises help more? Thanks.

Davy, the tactics trainer here is borked in that it is entirely about blitz. Speed is way over-rated on TT here. Either don't worry about your rating and just worry about getting the right move, or try a tactics trainer on a site where the right answer is all that matters. Lots of people here like chesstempo.com for this.

Okay, thanks King, makes me feel better about it...i had to look up 'borked', lol. Yep, seems to be geared toward blitz chess.

Does anyone think the mentor exercises really help?  I'm trying to get my game up to 1500 from about 1350 in a few months.  Thanks for any suggestions. 

did you try chesstempo? for a small fee you can even play the puzzles by motif there

Yes, i've found that and working it.  Thanks Algo.  Now I'll have to google what 'by motif' means,

Hey don't pick on me! That's how they're called there

http://chesstempo.com/tactical-motifs.html

You can sort the puzzles by type of tactics.

Tactics, Tactics, Tactics

What chessblood said. Tactics Tactics Tactics. Even if they are geared slightly for blitz games. Also some solid reading material where techniques are discussed.