StudyHack

Revision skills, without the waffle.

StudyHack is the skills layer for RevisionHacking: pick the problem, choose a method, 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 + Tools

I need better methods

Choose the right method for the job: flashcards, topic blurts, mind maps, notes, quizzes or exam practice.

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

The Learning Scientists

Six Strategies for Effective Learning

Research explainerFreeNo account

The clean overview of the six evidence-backed study strategies: retrieval, spacing, interleaving, elaboration, concrete examples and dual coding.

Open

InnerDrive

The Best Ways to Study

Student guideFreeNo account

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

Open

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.

Open

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.

Open

Retrieval Practice

What is retrieval practice?

Research websiteFreeNo account

A dedicated retrieval practice site with free downloads, research snapshots and student-friendly guidance.

Open

Anki

Spaced flashcard software

Study toolFreeNo account

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

Open

Spacing + Interleaving

The Learning Scientists

Spaced Practice

Technique pageFreeNo account

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

Open

The Learning Scientists

Interleaving

Technique pageFreeNo account

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

Open

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.

Open

Understanding + Thinking

The Learning Scientists

Dual Coding

Technique pageFreeNo account

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

Open

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.

Open

Coursera

Learning How to Learn

Online courseFreemiumAccount

A deeper course on learning, memory, chunking, procrastination and study technique. Best for motivated students.

Open

Revision Methods + Tools

Practical ways to turn revision time into actual memory.

Flashcards + Memory Tools

Anki

Spaced flashcard software

Flashcard appFreeNo account

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

Open

Brainscape

Flashcards with spaced retrieval

Flashcard platformFreemiumAccount

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

Open

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.

Open

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.

Open

Notion

Notion for Education

Planning + notes toolFreemiumAccount

Useful for students who want one workspace for revision plans, notes, deadlines and checklists.

Open

Obsidian

Linked notes for deeper understanding

Note-taking appFreeNo account

Best for older students who want to connect ideas across topics, especially essay subjects.

Open

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.

Open

Xmind

Mind map maker

Mind map toolFreemiumNo account

Good for mapping topics, case studies and links between concepts.

Open

Coggle

Online mind maps

Mind map toolFreemiumAccount

Simple collaborative mind maps for students who prefer visual revision or group planning.

Open

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.

Open

Khan Academy

Worked examples and practice

Learning platformFreeNo account

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

Open

Microsoft OneNote

Digital revision notebook

Note-taking appFreeAccount

Good for handwritten explanations, worked examples, screenshots and organised subject notebooks.

Open

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.

Open

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.

Open

Planning, Focus + Exam Technique

Turn revision into a plan, then make exam practice count.

Revision Planning

Cambridge International

Learning and revision support

Official guidanceFreeNo account

Useful for learner guides, revision planning, past papers, mark schemes and example candidate responses.

Open

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.

Open

Todoist

Task lists and revision planning

Planning appFreemiumAccount

Good for turning big revision goals into small daily tasks, deadlines and recurring study sessions.

Open

Focus + Distraction Blocking

Pomofocus

Online Pomodoro timer

Focus timerFreemiumNo account

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

Open

Freedom

Block distracting apps and websites

Focus blockerFreemiumAccount

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

Open

Cold Turkey

Website and app blocker

Focus blockerFreemiumNo account

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

Open

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.

Open

AQA

GCSE English Language command words

Official guideFreeNo account

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

Open

Cognito

GCSE command words explained

Student guideFreeNo account

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

Open

Essay + Longer Answers

Purdue OWL

Essay Writing

Writing guideFreeNo account

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

Open

University of Manchester

Academic Phrasebank

Writing supportFreeNo account

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

Open

BBC Bitesize

Writing and structuring answers

Revision websiteFreeNo account

Useful for younger students who need simpler explanations before moving into longer exam answers.

Open

Past Papers + Mark Schemes

Physics & Maths Tutor

Past papers and mark schemes

Practice archiveFreeNo account

Useful for timed practice, topic-by-topic papers and worked mark-scheme checking across many subjects.

Open

Cambridge International

Past papers and mark schemes

Official guidanceFreeNo account

Good reminder to use official papers, mark schemes and example candidate responses to understand standards.

Open

Wellbeing + Creators

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.

Open

Mind

Stress

Mental health charityFreeNo account

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

Open

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.

Open

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.

Open

Sleep Foundation

Sleep and learning

Sleep guideFreeNo account

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

Open

Headspace

Sleep and mindfulness tools

Mindfulness appFreemiumAccount

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

Open

Food, Movement + Energy

NHS

Eat well

Health guidanceFreeNo account

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

Open

NHS

Exercise

Health guidanceFreeNo account

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

Open

British Nutrition Foundation

Healthy eating advice

Nutrition guideFreeNo account

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

Open

Digital Wellbeing

Apple

Screen Time

Device toolFreeNo account

Built-in iPhone and iPad controls for app limits, downtime and checking where attention is going.

Open

Google

Digital Wellbeing

Device toolFreeNo account

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

Open

Forest

Focus timer app

Focus appFreemiumAccount

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

Open