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AI for Beginners: Reasoning Models

Understand how Reasoning Models actually work from scratch with practical and fun lessons. You’ll go behind the curtain on one of the biggest breakthroughs in AI and learn how reasoning models "think", how they're trained with reinforcement learning and dive deep into datasets like PRM800K, and why reasoning models may be full of secrets and lies...

5 Days

Average time students take to complete this course.

instructor
Taught by: Scott Kerr
Last updated: February 2026

Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot

What you'll learn

  • What “reasoning models” really are (and aren’t)
  • Compare reasoning styles across models
  • The PRM800K dataset that powered this breakthrough
  • Prompt and context engineering built for reasoning models
  • The importance of the Generator–Verifier Gap (GVG)
  • How Reinforcement Learning + Process Reward Models shape reasoning
  • Dive deep into AI research papers
  • Why reasoning models may be lying to you...

Why Learn About Reasoning Models?

Reasoning models are one of the biggest breakthroughs in AI as they give models the ability to think through things using a "scratchpad" of sorts, introducing something more akin to System 2 thinking.

Reasoning models feel like magic…until they don’t. This course helps you understand what’s happening under the hood, so you know how to use them, why they work, and where this technology is going.

You’ll start with the basics, then quickly move into real model behavior. You’ll practice your skills and explore reasoning models with real, hands-on exercises and practice.

Then you’ll connect the dots to how these systems are trained: reinforcement learning, RLHF, process reward models, the PRM800K dataset, and the impact of the latest scaling law on the future of AI: test-time compute.

You’ll also explore the tricky (but maybe more interesting)part: when reasoning models lie to you and the secrets they keep.

Wait...What's a Byte?

Bytes are shorter courses that allow you to upgrade your skills and knowledge in a single day!

Learning is hard. And sometimes you just need a quick learning fix, right? To learn something awesome, interesting, and relevant to your career goals.

That's why we've created Bytes.

What's The Bottom Line?

This course is not about superficial fluff or AI hype.

Instead, this course will take you from a complete beginner to understanding Reasoning Models on a deeper level than 99% of people out there and being able to start working with AI. 🚀

And... you have nothing to lose.

You can start learning right now and if this course isn't everything you expected, we'll refund you 100% within 30 days. No hassles and no questions asked.

When's the best time to get started? Today!

There's never a bad time to learn in-demand skills. But the sooner, the better. So start learning about Reasoning Models today by joining the ZTM Academy. You'll have a clear roadmap to writing effective prompts, building your own AI apps, and advancing your career.

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Course curriculum

To make sure this course is a good fit for you, you can learn Reasoning Models for free right now by clicking any of the PREVIEW links below.

Introduction

6 lectures

Introduction3:40

BEGIN

Exercise: Meet Your Classmates and Instructor

BEGIN

A Note On The Next Two Lessons

BEGIN

Replay: Chain-of-Thought Prompting - Part 15:24

BEGIN

Replay: Chain-of-Thought Prompting - Part 25:45

BEGIN

Course Resources

BEGIN

Inside Reasoning Models

31 lectures

Where To Go From Here?

2 lectures

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Meet your instructor

Your instructor (Scott) has more than just deep knowledge of AI. He has years of real-world professional experience. He has been in your shoes. He makes learning fun. He makes complex topics feel simple. He will motivate you. He will push you. And he will go above and beyond to help you succeed.

Scott Kerr

Hi, I'm Scott Kerr!

Scott uses his years of professional research and enthusiasm for AI to teach and guide new students to learn how to utilize AI, get hired and advance their careers.

SEE MY BIO & COURSES

Scott Kerr

Head of AI Initiatives

Frequently asked questions

Are there any prerequisites for this course?

  • Basic knowledge of AI/LLMs would be helpful though isn't required. Don't have that? No problem! Just take our AI for Beginners: Inside LLMs short course before taking this one.

Do you provide a certificate of completion?

We definitely do and they are quite nice. You will also be able to add Zero To Mastery Academy to the education section of your LinkedIn profile as well.

Are there subtitles?

Yes! We have high quality subtitles in 6 different languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Arabic, and Hindi.

You can even adjust the text size, color, background and more so that the subtitles are perfect just for you!

Still have more questions about the Academy?

Still have more questions specific to the Academy membership? No problem, we answer some more here.

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