StudyHack

Revision skills, without the waffle.

StudyHack is the skills layer for RevisionHacking: pick the problem, choose a method, build a quick revision checklist, then get back to the subject links that matter.

What do you need today?

Fast routes for common revision problems.

Evidence-Based Revision

I don't know how to revise

Start with active recall, spaced repetition and practice questions instead of rereading everything.

Revision Methods

I need better methods

Choose the right method for the job: active recall, spacing, blurting, dual coding, note systems or worked examples.

Planning + Focus

I keep putting it off

Turn big subjects into small revision blocks, then protect your attention while you work.

Exam Technique

I need more marks

Use command words, mark schemes, timing practice and answer structure to make revision show up in the exam.

Wellbeing

I'm stressed

Use trusted support for sleep, stress, anxiety and keeping revision realistic during exam season.

Study Tools

I want useful apps

Find tools for flashcards, planning, focus, notes and quick retrieval practice without wasting time hunting.

Evidence-Based Revision

The high-value methods students should learn first.

Start Here

InnerDrive

The Best Ways to Study

Student guideFreeNo account

Student-friendly explanation of retrieval practice, spacing, interleaving and what to avoid when revising.

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The Learning Scientists

Free Six Strategies Posters

Downloadable postersFreeNo account

Printable one-page reminders for each strategy. Useful for turning a revision space into a quick checklist.

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UNC Learning Center

Study smarter, not harder

Study guideFreeNo account

Clear study-skills guide on active studying, planning, study cycles and checking understanding instead of just spending longer at a desk.

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Oxford Learning

Why studying longer isn't helping

Study guideFreeNo account

Student-friendly reminder that more hours is not always better. Useful for nudging students towards shorter, active revision blocks.

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CrashCourse

Study Skills playlist

YouTube playlistFreeNo account

Short videos on notes, memory, planning, focus, procrastination, exams, test anxiety and essays.

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Ali Abdaal

How to Study for Exams

Study guideFreeNo account

A broad student-friendly guide covering active recall, spaced repetition, planning and focus.

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Active Recall + Retrieval Practice

The Learning Scientists

Retrieval Practice

Technique pageFreeNo account

Use this when students are still rereading notes. It shows how to practise pulling information from memory.

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Anki

Spaced flashcard software

Study toolFreeNo account

Best for students who want flashcards that automatically come back just before they forget them.

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The Learning Scientists

Active recall explained

YouTube videoFreeNo account

Short video explaining why testing yourself beats rereading when you need information to stick.

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Spacing + Interleaving

The Learning Scientists

Spaced Practice

Technique pageFreeNo account

A direct guide to spacing revision over time instead of cramming the night before.

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The Learning Scientists

Interleaving

Technique pageFreeNo account

Good for maths, science and problem-solving subjects where students need to choose the right method.

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University of Minnesota

Spaced and interleaved practice improves recall

Learning science guideFreeNo account

A useful extra explanation that connects retrieval practice with spacing and mixed practice.

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BBC Bitesize

Don't cram: revise little and often

Student guideFreeNo account

Short student-facing guide explaining why spreading revision out beats last-minute cramming.

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The Learning Scientists

The Learning Scientists videos

YouTube channelFreeNo account

Video channel covering retrieval practice, spacing, interleaving, elaboration, concrete examples and dual coding.

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The Learning Scientists

Spaced repetition explained

YouTube videoFreeNo account

Short video on spacing revision so students revisit material before it disappears from memory.

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Understanding + Thinking

The Learning Scientists

Dual Coding

Technique pageFreeNo account

Helps students combine words and diagrams without making pretty but useless notes.

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EEF

Metacognition and Self-Regulated Learning

Evidence guidanceFreeNo account

Strong evidence base for planning, monitoring and evaluating learning. More teacher-facing, but useful for our curation standard.

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BBC Bitesize

Metacognition: thinking about thinking

Student guideFreeNo account

Accessible student guide for planning, monitoring and reviewing learning so students can spot what is working.

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The Learning Scientists

Dual coding explained

YouTube videoFreeNo account

Short video on combining words and visuals in a way that actually supports learning.

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Revision Methods

Practical ways to turn revision time into actual memory.

Notes + Summary Systems

Cornell University

Cornell Note Taking System

Method guideFreeNo account

A clear structure for turning class notes into cues, summaries and retrieval prompts.

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CrashCourse

Taking notes

YouTube videoFreeNo account

Note-taking video useful for turning lessons and revision resources into something students can quiz themselves from.

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Mind Maps + Visual Revision

The Learning Scientists

Dual Coding

Technique pageFreeNo account

Use this before making mind maps, so diagrams support memory rather than just decorate notes.

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Teach It + Worked Examples

Farnam Street

The Feynman Technique

Method guideFreeNo account

A practical way to find gaps: explain a topic simply, spot what breaks, then go back and fix it.

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Khan Academy

Worked examples and practice

Learning platformFreeNo account

Useful for students who need step-by-step explanations before they try independent questions.

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Study Tools + Apps

Flashcards, practice platforms and useful tools that support the methods.

Flashcards + Memory Tools

Anki

Spaced flashcard software

Flashcard appFreeNo account

Best for students who want active recall and spaced repetition without a subscription.

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Brainscape

Flashcards with spaced retrieval

Flashcard platformFreemiumAccount

Useful when students want ready-made decks or a simpler confidence-based flashcard system.

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Quizlet

Create flashcards and practice tests

Flashcard platformFreemiumAccount

Good for quick vocab, definitions and low-stakes quiz practice. Labelled account because creating and saving sets requires signing in.

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Social Revision Platforms

Revyze

GCSE revision app

Revision appFreeAccount

Social-style GCSE revision with AI notes, flashcards, quizzes and topic tracking. Good for students who want a quick app-based route, but still check everything against the specification.

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PrepWise

Free GCSE daily revision plan

Revision platformFreeAccount

GCSE revision pages, daily plans, quizzes and flashcards across core subjects. Browsing is free without sign-in, while adaptive planning uses an account.

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ReviseAI

AI revision planner and quizzes

AI study toolFreeAccount

GCSE, AS, A Level and BTEC revision tool with personalised plans, flashcards, quizzes and AI tutor support. Treat AI answers as a starting point and verify against trusted course resources.

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Reviso

Oak-grounded GCSE revision

AI study toolFreemiumAccount

GCSE revision sessions, flashcards, quizzes and progress tracking grounded in Oak National Academy content. Free plan available, with paid routes clearly treated as freemium.

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Knowunity

Student notes and study sets

Student notesFreemiumAccount

Student-shared notes, flashcards and study support across school subjects. Useful for extra explanations, but quality varies, so check important content against official specifications and trusted course links.

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Planning + Focus

Turn revision into smaller blocks, then protect your attention long enough to start.

Revision Planning

nidirect

Revision tips: preparing for exams

Student guideFreeNo account

Clear advice on breaking topics into shorter revision slots and using past papers to organise revision.

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BBC Bitesize

How to stop procrastinating

Student guideFreeNo account

Practical student-facing advice for starting work when revision feels too big or easy to avoid.

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Oxford Learning

ADD/ADHD study tips

Study supportFreeNo account

Study tips for students who struggle with attention, organisation or task initiation. Use as general support, not medical advice.

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CrashCourse

Procrastination

YouTube videoFreeNo account

Video support for understanding procrastination and getting started when work feels avoidable.

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GCSEPod

Revision timetable

YouTube videoFreeNo account

Video on building a revision timetable without making it too complicated to follow.

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Primrose Kitten

Study tips playlist

YouTube playlistFreeNo account

Study tips and revision advice playlist from a school-focused revision creator.

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Focus + Distraction Blocking

Birmingham City University

Pomodoro Technique

Time management guideFreeNo account

Simple explanation of using short timed study blocks with breaks, useful for students who need a clear starting structure.

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Todoist

Pomodoro Technique guide

Time management guideFreeNo account

Clear Pomodoro guide with timing, planning and focus advice. The guide is free even though Todoist also has app features.

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Pomofocus

Online Pomodoro timer

Focus timerFreemiumNo account

Simple browser timer for short focused revision blocks, with task estimates and break timings.

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Freedom

Block distracting apps and websites

Focus blockerFreemiumAccount

Useful for students who need to block social media or distracting websites during study sessions.

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Cold Turkey

Website and app blocker

Focus blockerFreemiumNo account

A stricter blocker for students who need stronger boundaries around distractions.

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Thomas Frank

Pomodoro Technique video

YouTube videoFreeNo account

Video explanation of using Pomodoro-style focus blocks for revision and study sessions.

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Exam Technique + Marks

Use command words, question practice, mark schemes and paper routes to turn revision into marks.

Command Words + Question Types

Cambridge International

Understanding command words

Official guideFreeNo account

Direct definitions for common command words, helping students answer the question actually being asked.

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AQA

GCSE English Language command words

Official guideFreeNo account

Useful GCSE example of how command words shape responses, especially for reading and writing questions.

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Cognito

GCSE command words explained

Student guideFreeNo account

Plain-English support for describe, explain, evaluate and other command words students commonly mix up.

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Essay + Longer Answers

Purdue OWL

Essay Writing

Writing guideFreeNo account

Strong general guidance for essay structure, argument, clarity and common academic writing genres.

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University of Manchester

Academic Phrasebank

Writing supportFreeNo account

Helpful phrase structures for comparing, concluding, explaining causes and writing more precise longer answers.

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Question Practice Sources

Physics & Maths Tutor

Topic questions and revision resources

Question bankFreeNo account

Strong for maths, science and several humanities subjects, with lots of topic-by-topic question practice.

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Save My Exams

Revision notes and exam questions

Question bankFreemiumAccount

Useful for structured notes, exam-style questions and worked solutions, but some access is limited.

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Seneca Learning

Interactive recall questions

Interactive practiceFreemiumAccount

Quick interactive recall practice with instant feedback. Best used after checking the course and topic match.

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Past Papers + Mark Schemes

Physics & Maths Tutor

Past papers and mark schemes

Practice archiveFreeNo account

Dedicated PMT past-paper route for GCSE, IGCSE, AS, A Level and IAL papers, mark schemes and examiner reports where available.

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AQA

Find past papers and mark schemes

Official paper finderFreeNo account

Official AQA search route for past papers, mark schemes and examiner materials. Check qualification, subject and series.

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OCR

Past paper finder

Official paper finderFreeNo account

Official OCR finder for papers, mark schemes and examiner reports across qualifications.

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Pearson Edexcel

Past papers

Official paper finderFreeNo account

Official Pearson route for locating Edexcel papers, mark schemes and examiner reports.

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Cambridge International

Past papers

Official paper routeFreeNo account

Official Cambridge subject route. Choose the subject, then check syllabus documents and available past-paper materials.

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HKEAA

HKDSE question papers and marking schemes

Official paper archiveFreeNo account

Official HKDSE past-paper and marking-scheme route for checking paper style and mark allocation.

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Wellbeing + Support

Trusted support for staying steady while revising.

Exam Stress + Support

YoungMinds

Exam stress

Mental health charityFreeNo account

Student-friendly support for coping with exam pressure, talking to someone and keeping revision realistic.

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Mind

Stress

Mental health charityFreeNo account

Clear information on stress signs, coping strategies and when stress may need extra support.

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Mental Health Foundation

How to manage and reduce stress

Wellbeing guideFreeNo account

A trusted guide to understanding stress and using practical strategies before it becomes overwhelming.

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BBC Bitesize

How to boost your resilience

Student guideFreeNo account

Student-friendly support for building resilience when revision, exams or setbacks feel difficult.

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Sleep + Recovery

NHS Every Mind Matters

Fall asleep faster and sleep better

Health guidanceFreeNo account

Practical sleep routine advice for exam season, especially when stress is making it harder to switch off.

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Sleep Foundation

Sleep and learning

Sleep guideFreeNo account

Useful background on why sleep matters for students, memory and learning.

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KidsHealth

How much sleep do I need?

Teen health guideFreeNo account

Teen-focused sleep guide explaining how much sleep students need and why sleep matters for energy, mood and learning.

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Headspace

Sleep and mindfulness tools

Mindfulness appFreemiumAccount

Guided breathing, mindfulness and sleep exercises. Useful for students who prefer an app-based approach.

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Food, Movement + Energy

NHS

Eat well

Health guidanceFreeNo account

Simple, reliable advice on balanced eating during busy revision periods.

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NHS

Exercise

Health guidanceFreeNo account

Evidence-informed movement guidance. Good reminder that short breaks and activity can support focus.

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British Nutrition Foundation

Healthy eating advice

Nutrition guideFreeNo account

Trusted nutrition information for building steady routines rather than chasing exam-season quick fixes.

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Digital Wellbeing

Google

Digital Wellbeing

Device toolFreeNo account

Android tools for reducing interruptions, checking screen time and setting focus boundaries.

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Forest

Focus timer app

Focus appFreemiumAccount

A gentle phone-focus tool for students who need a visual nudge to stay off distracting apps.

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