Effective study starts with the right resources. Whether you’re preparing for exams, reinforcing classroom learning, or getting ahead with revision, having reliable study materials can make all the difference.
On this page, you’ll find a carefully selected range of popular study aids for students, including revision guides, study guides, textbooks, workbooks, and practice papers. Suitable for GCSEs, A Levels and other courses, these materials are designed to help you build confidence, improve understanding and stay on track.
Browse the grid below to find the best study resources to support your learning and help you reach your academic goals.
Past Exam Papers
Past exam papers are effective tools for preparing for assessments at every level, from GCSEs & A Levels to BTECs and other vocational qualifications. These are actual exam papers from previous years, created & marked by the official exam boards such as AQA, Edexcel, OCR and others.
Practice papers are an essential part of revision. Giving students confidence for the real thing. Whether you're sitting GCSEs, A Levels, or other college-level assessments, practising with past questions is one of the best ways to sharpen your exam technique and boost your chances of success.
Revision books are a valuable tool for any student preparing for exams. Designed to help you recall and reinforce key information, these handy guides summarise important topics in a clear, concise format that makes studying more manageable and efficient.
Revision guides are a tried-and-tested favourite among students. Designed to condense key information into easy-to-digest chunks, they make revising more manageable, more focused, and a lot less stressful
Study guides are for students prepping for exams or to get a better understanding of their subjects. They cover GCSEs, A Levels, or college-level qualifications. Study guides breaks down complex topics into easy-to-follow sections.
Textbooks are one of the most important learning tools for students. They provide detailed explanations of key topics, step-by-step guidance, and a structured approach that supports the national curriculum and specific exam boards.
New Store Stock; Cox, Professor Brian (Author); English (Publication Language); 288 Pages - 10/12/2023 (Publication Date) - William Collins (Publisher)
New Store Stock; Hardcover Book; Smith, Julie (Author); English (Publication Language); 432 Pages - 01/06/2022 (Publication Date) - Michael Joseph (Publisher)
New Store Stock; Miles-Kingston, Jan (Author); English (Publication Language); 128 Pages - 01/31/2020 (Publication Date) - Hodder Education (Publisher)
New Store Stock; Anderson, Paul (Author); English (Publication Language); 126 Pages - 08/11/2022 (Publication Date) - Cambridge University Press (Publisher)
New Store Stock; Flanagan, Cara (Author); English (Publication Language); 184 Pages - 06/14/2018 (Publication Date) - Illuminate Publishing (Publisher)
Past exam papers are one of the most effective tools for preparing for assessments at every level, from GCSEs and A Levels to BTECs and other vocational qualifications. These papers are actual exam papers from previous years, created and marked by the official exam boards such as AQA, Edexcel, OCR and others.
Past papers are available across a wide range of qualifications and subjects. The most popular include:
GCSE subjects like English Language, Maths, Science, History and Geography
A Level subjects including Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Economics and more
Vocational subjects such as BTEC Business or Health & Social Care
Functional Skills and Entry Level assessments
They are typically available in PDF format for easy downloading and printing, with most exam boards also providing mark schemes and sometimes examiner reports to help students understand how marks are awarded.
Why Use Past Papers?
Working through past papers helps you:
Get familiar with exam layout and question styles
Practise timing and pacing under exam conditions
Understand how to approach long-answer or essay-style questions
Identify topics you need to revise more thoroughly
Start by attempting questions without looking at your notes
Use the mark scheme afterwards to check your answers
Review your mistakes and focus revision on weak areas
Gradually build up to completing full papers in timed conditions
Past exam papers aren’t just revision tools – they’re your best chance to practise how you’ll perform on the day. Make them part of your regular revision routine to walk into the exam room feeling fully prepared.
Practice papers are an essential part of effective revision, helping students feel more confident and prepared for the real thing. Whether you’re sitting GCSEs, A Levels, or other college-level assessments, practising with past questions is one of the best ways to sharpen your exam technique and boost your chances of success.
There are several kinds of practice papers available, depending on the subject and level of study:
GCSE Practice Papers – Covering all major exam boards like AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC, these papers mirror real exam formats. Ideal for subjects such as Maths, English, Science, History and more.
A Level Practice Papers – Designed to match the depth and structure of A Level exams, with a focus on long-answer questions, essay writing and problem-solving skills.
Mock Papers – Timed practice tests that simulate actual exam conditions, helping students build stamina and manage time effectively.
Topic-Based Practice Questions – Useful for breaking down revision into smaller chunks and focusing on areas that need improvement.
Mark Schemes and Worked Solutions – Many practice packs include answers or step-by-step solutions to help you understand where you went wrong and how to improve.
Familiarity with Exam Format – Know what to expect on the day, from the types of questions to how marks are awarded.
Improves Time Management – Learn how to pace yourself so you can complete every section of the exam in the time given.
Highlights Weak Spots – Quickly spot which topics need more revision, so you can use your time wisely.
Builds Confidence – The more you practise, the more comfortable and in control you’ll feel when it’s time to sit the real exam.
Encourages Active Learning – Practice papers make revision more engaging, helping you retain information better.
No matter your subject or exam level, building regular practice into your revision schedule can make a big difference. With a range of practice papers available to suit every learner, getting ready for exams has never been more manageable.
Revision books are a valuable tool for any student preparing for exams. Designed to help you recall and reinforce key information, these handy guides summarise important topics in a clear, concise format that makes studying more manageable and efficient.
New Store Stock; Miles-Kingston, Jan (Author); English (Publication Language); 128 Pages - 01/31/2020 (Publication Date) - Hodder Education (Publisher)
New Store Stock; Anderson, Paul (Author); English (Publication Language); 126 Pages - 08/11/2022 (Publication Date) - Cambridge University Press (Publisher)
New Store Stock; Flanagan, Cara (Author); English (Publication Language); 184 Pages - 06/14/2018 (Publication Date) - Illuminate Publishing (Publisher)
There are many types of revision books to suit different subjects, learning styles and exam levels:
Subject-specific guides – Focused on individual subjects like Maths, English, Biology or History, helping you revise only what you need.
Exam board-specific editions – Tailored to the exact specification of your exam board (e.g. AQA, Edexcel, OCR), ensuring the content is fully relevant.
Combined revision and practice books – These not only provide summaries of key content but also include practice questions and answers to test your understanding.
Quick-revision formats – Great for last-minute study sessions, these are usually in a pocket-sized or flashcard style and offer fast facts and key points.
Start early – Don’t leave revision until the week before the exam. Use these books to reinforce topics as you go through the school year.
Make notes – Highlight key points, write flashcards or make mind maps based on what you read.
Test yourself – Many revision books include practice questions. Use them regularly to check what you’ve remembered.
Mix with other materials – Revision books work well alongside study guides, class notes and past papers.
Whether you’re revising for GCSEs, A Levels, or college assessments, a good revision book can help boost your confidence and keep your study sessions focused and effective.
When it comes to exam preparation, revision guides (also known as revision books) are a tried-and-tested favourite among students. Designed to condense key information into easy-to-digest chunks, they make revising more manageable, more focused, and a lot less stressful.
New Store Stock; Miles-Kingston, Jan (Author); English (Publication Language); 128 Pages - 01/31/2020 (Publication Date) - Hodder Education (Publisher)
New Store Stock; Anderson, Paul (Author); English (Publication Language); 126 Pages - 08/11/2022 (Publication Date) - Cambridge University Press (Publisher)
New Store Stock; Flanagan, Cara (Author); English (Publication Language); 184 Pages - 06/14/2018 (Publication Date) - Illuminate Publishing (Publisher)
Revision guides are available for all the most commonly studied subjects at school and college, including:
Maths
English Language and Literature
Biology, Chemistry and Physics
History and Geography
Business Studies and Economics
Psychology and Sociology
Computer Science
French, Spanish and German
They’re also available for newer or more practical courses, such as Media Studies or Health and Social Care.
Getting the Best Out of Your Revision Guide
To make the most of your revision guide:
Start early – Don’t leave it until the last few weeks. Use it throughout the year to reinforce learning.
Create a revision plan – Break up topics and use your guide to build a routine.
Use active techniques – Don’t just read – try making flashcards, summarising sections, or teaching someone else the content.
Combine with practice papers – Revision guides give you the knowledge, but practising real questions boosts exam technique.
Choose the right exam board – Make sure your guide matches the board you’re studying with (like AQA, Edexcel, OCR, etc).
Whether you’re aiming for top grades or simply want to feel more confident going into your exams, revision guides are a practical, affordable, and student-friendly way to stay on track.
Study guides are a brilliant resource for students preparing for exams or simply trying to get a clearer understanding of their subjects. Whether you’re revising for GCSEs, A Levels, or college-level qualifications, study guides help break down complex topics into easy-to-follow sections, making learning feel less overwhelming and more manageable.
Subject-Specific Guides – These focus on individual subjects like English, Maths, Biology, History and more. They follow the curriculum closely and often align with specific exam boards such as AQA, Edexcel or OCR.
Course Text Companion Guides – These go hand-in-hand with the main course textbooks and help summarise key content, explain tricky concepts, and offer tips on how to tackle certain types of questions.
Skills-Based Study Guides – These focus on improving essential academic skills such as essay writing, exam technique, analysis, and interpretation – perfect for subjects like English Literature or Sociology.
Quick Revision Guides – Condensed versions that highlight key facts, formulas, and summaries – ideal for last-minute revision or quick refreshers.
Reinforcing Classroom Learning – Great for reviewing topics after lessons to help things sink in more clearly.
Simplifying Difficult Topics – They often explain things in a more digestible way, using plain language, visuals, and examples.
Helping with Exam Prep – Many include practice questions, sample answers and examiner tips to give you a better idea of what’s expected.
Structuring Revision – Study guides help you organise your time and tackle topics methodically, so nothing is missed.
How to Get the Best Out of Your Study Guide
Use it Alongside Class Notes – Don’t rely on the guide alone – use it to support and reinforce what you’ve already learned.
Highlight and Annotate – Make notes, underline key points, and summarise information in your own words to help it stick.
Test Yourself Regularly – Take on the practice questions and use the answers to check your understanding.
Make it Interactive – Turn key facts into flashcards, mind maps, or quick quizzes to make revision more engaging.
Study guides can be a real confidence booster when used properly. With the right guide and a bit of active study, you’ll feel more prepared, more focused, and far less stressed when exams come around.
Textbooks remain one of the most important learning tools for students at school, college or sixth form. They provide detailed explanations of key topics, step-by-step guidance, and a structured approach that supports the national curriculum and specific exam boards.
New Store Stock; Cox, Professor Brian (Author); English (Publication Language); 288 Pages - 10/12/2023 (Publication Date) - William Collins (Publisher)
New Store Stock; Hardcover Book; Smith, Julie (Author); English (Publication Language); 432 Pages - 01/06/2022 (Publication Date) - Michael Joseph (Publisher)
New Store Stock; Dictionaries, Collins (Author); English (Publication Language); 320 Pages - 10/01/2016 (Publication Date) - HarperCollins UK (Publisher)
£8.27
How to Get the Best Out of a Textbook
To use a textbook effectively:
Follow your syllabus – Make sure your book matches your subject and exam board for full relevance.
Use it alongside classwork – Textbooks are most helpful when used to support what you’re learning in lessons.
Take notes and summarise – Don’t just read – highlight key points and write your own summaries to aid memory.
Answer end-of-chapter questions – These are often designed to help reinforce your understanding and prep you for exams.
Keep it accessible – Whether digital or printed, having your textbook nearby makes it easier to revise in short bursts.
Whether you’re studying at GCSE level, preparing for A Levels, or working through a college course, a well-chosen textbook can help break down complex subjects and keep your learning on track.
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