Finding decent revision resources for your GCSEs shouldn’t feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. I’ve tested dozens of platforms to find out which ones actually help students learn, not just waste time watching videos.
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What Makes a Good GCSE Revision Website?
Before diving into specific platforms, here’s what matters:
- Exam board alignment – Resources that match AQA, Edexcel, OCR, or WJEC specs exactly
Learn how AQA and Edexcel differ in their GCSE exams in our guide AQA vs Edexcel.
- Active recall features – Quizzes and tests, not just passive reading
- Clear explanations – No confusion about why answers are correct
- Progress tracking – So you know what you’ve covered and what needs work
- Cost – Free options versus paid subscriptions
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Best Free GCSE Revision Websites
1. BBC Bitesize
Cost: Free
BBC Bitesize remains the go-to for most students. Every topic has written guides, video explanations, and practice questions. The quality is consistent across subjects, though some students find the videos a bit slow-paced.
What works well here is the structure. Each topic breaks down into manageable chunks with clear learning objectives. The practice questions at the end of each section test understanding immediately.
The main limitation? No personalized tracking of your progress across different sessions.
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2. Seneca Learning
Cost: Free (premium version available at £6.99/month)
Seneca uses something called “active learning” – basically, you answer questions as you go through content rather than reading everything first. This approach sticks better in your memory than passive note-taking.
The platform covers all major GCSE subjects and exam boards. Questions adapt based on your answers, spending more time on topics you struggle with. The free version gives you full access to content; premium adds features like unlimited revision sessions and detailed analytics.
Students who like gamification appreciate the points system. Those who prefer traditional study methods might find it gimmicky.
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3. Physics and Maths Tutor
Cost: Free
If you’re doing sciences or maths, this site is gold. It hosts past papers, mark schemes, and topic questions from all exam boards going back years. The layout looks like it hasn’t changed since 2010, but the content quality matters more than design.
The topic questions are particularly useful – they pull specific question types from past papers so you can practice one concept intensively before moving on.
No videos or interactive elements here. Just papers, questions, and solutions.
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4. Save My Exams
Cost: Free tier available, premium at £9.99/month
Save My Exams provides revision notes, topic questions, and past papers organized by exam board and specification. The free version lets you access notes and some questions. Premium unlocks everything plus video solutions.
The notes are concise without cutting important details. Each topic ends with exam-style questions that match the format you’ll see in your actual GCSEs.
Learn how AQA and Edexcel differ in their GCSE exams in our guide AQA vs Edexcel.
The platform recently added AI-generated quizzes, though the regular practice questions remain more reliable for exam prep.
Best Paid GCSE Revision Apps and Websites
1. GCSEPod
Cost: Usually purchased by schools, individual subscriptions around £80/year
Most schools subscribe to GCSEPod, giving students free access. If your school doesn’t, individual plans exist but check with your teachers first.
Each “pod” is a 3-5 minute video covering one specific concept. They’re designed for quick revision sessions rather than initial learning. The platform tracks what you’ve watched and quizzes you afterwards.
The videos assume you’ve already learned the material in class. They work best for consolidation and exam prep, not teaching yourself from scratch.
2. Examly
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Cost: £4.99/month or £49.99/year
Examly focuses entirely on practice questions and mock exams. You can create custom quizzes from their database of thousands of questions, all written to match current specifications.
After each quiz, you get detailed breakdowns of your performance by topic. This helps identify weak areas quickly. The app also has timed mock exams that simulate real test conditions.
No video explanations or notes – purely question practice. Best used alongside other resources for learning content initially.
3. Maths Genie
Cost: Free, with optional premium features
Maths Genie specializes in mathematics across Foundation and Higher tiers. Every topic has video tutorials, worksheets, and exam questions with full solutions.
The video solutions for past papers are particularly helpful – watching someone solve a difficult problem step-by-step beats reading a mark scheme.
The free version gives you everything you need. Premium (around £20/year) removes ads and adds some extra practice materials.
4. SnapRevise
Cost: Free version limited, premium £5.99/month
SnapRevise combines notes, flashcards, and practice questions in one platform. The content is written by subject experts and covers all major exam boards.
What distinguishes SnapRevise is the study planner. You input your exam dates and it creates a personalized revision schedule. The app then reminds you what to study each day.
Free users get limited access to materials. Premium unlocks everything plus progress analytics.
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Subject-Specific GCSE Resources
Languages (French, Spanish, German)
Quizlet remains excellent for vocabulary. Thousands of user-created decks match specific GCSE topics and exam boards. The spaced repetition system helps move words into long-term memory.
Duolingo works for building general language skills but doesn’t align with GCSE content closely enough for focused exam prep.
Sciences
Beyond BBC Bitesize and Physics and Maths Tutor, try CognitionAP – a newer platform with animated science explanations. The visuals help with understanding abstract concepts in biology, chemistry, and physics.
English Literature
SparkNotes and LitCharts provide detailed analysis of GCSE set texts. While not specifically written for GCSEs, the chapter summaries, themes, and character analysis translate well.
Mr Bruff on YouTube has comprehensive videos on most GCSE literature texts with specific focus on exam technique.
What About Flashcard Apps?
Anki is free and powerful but has a steep learning curve. You build your own flashcard decks using spaced repetition.
Quizlet is easier to start with and has pre-made sets for most GCSE topics. The premium version (£7.99/month) adds games and study modes.
Creating your own flashcards beats using someone else’s – the process of making them helps you learn. But pre-made decks save time when you’re cramming.
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How to Actually Use These Resources
Having access to platforms means nothing if you’re not using them effectively. Here’s what works:
Start with understanding, not memorization. Watch videos or read guides on BBC Bitesize or GCSEPod first. Then test yourself with practice questions from Seneca or Examly.
Do past papers weekly. Download them from Physics and Maths Tutor or your exam board’s website. Time yourself properly. Mark your work honestly using the mark scheme.
Focus on weak topics. Most platforms show you analytics. Spend more time on topics where you’re scoring below 70%, not the ones you already understand.
Mix it up. Using one resource gets boring. Rotate between different platforms to keep revision fresh.
Which Combination Works Best?
For comprehensive coverage without spending money:
- BBC Bitesize for learning content
- Seneca Learning for active recall
- Physics and Maths Tutor for past papers
- Quizlet for memorization
If you have budget for one paid resource:
- Sciences/Maths: Maths Genie premium (£20/year)
- All subjects: SnapRevise premium (£5.99/month) for the study planner
- Practice-focused: Examly (£4.99/month)
New GCSE Combined Science AQA Higher Complete Revision & Practice
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Watching videos without doing questions. You feel productive but aren’t testing if you actually understand anything.
Only using one platform. Different resources explain concepts differently. Sometimes the second explanation clicks when the first didn’t.
Starting too late. Begin active revision at least 8-10 weeks before your first exam. Cramming the week before doesn’t work for GCSEs.
Ignoring exam technique. Knowing content isn’t enough. Practice writing answers within time limits using past papers.
Final Thoughts
The best GCSE revision website is the one you’ll actually use consistently. Free resources like BBC Bitesize and Seneca Learning provide everything needed to do well. Paid options add convenience and better tracking but aren’t essential.
Start with free resources. If you find yourself using one platform constantly and hitting its limitations, then consider paying. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking expensive resources automatically mean better results.
What matters most isn’t which website you choose – it’s whether you’re actively testing yourself, identifying weak areas, and practicing under exam conditions regularly.
Good luck with your GCSEs.
New GCSE Combined Science AQA Higher Complete Revision & Practice