GCSE Study Guides: AQA, Edexcel & OCR (2026)
GCSE study guides help you turn the specification into a revision plan — whether you use school booklets, board-approved guides, or online resources. A study guide is not a substitute for past papers and mark schemes; the strongest students combine concise notes, active recall, and timed exam practice.
This hub is for students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland sitting AQA, Edexcel (Pearson) or OCR GCSEs. International-school students on Cambridge IGCSE should use our IGCSE study guides instead — different codes and papers.
What counts as a GCSE study guide?
| Type | Best for |
|---|---|
| Official specification | Syllabus tick-list (free from exam boards) |
| School / textbook | Matches what teachers test in class |
| Revision guide (CGP, Pearson, etc.) | Condensed content + some questions |
| Past papers + mark schemes | Exam technique — GCSE past papers hub |
| Tutopiya Learning Portal | Practice, solutions, tutor support |
Always match the guide to your exam board — AQA 8461 Biology is not the same as Edexcel 1BI0.
Core subject study guides (by Tutopiya)
| Subject | Guide |
|---|---|
| Maths | GCSE maths study guide |
| English | GCSE English study guide |
| Biology | GCSE biology study guide |
| Chemistry | GCSE chemistry study guide |
| Physics | GCSE physics study guide |
| Combined Science | GCSE combined science study guide |
More GCSE study guides (30 topics)
Exam boards & tiers
| Guide | Article |
|---|---|
| AQA | AQA study guides |
| Edexcel | Edexcel study guides |
| OCR | OCR study guides |
| Foundation tier | Foundation tier |
| Higher tier | Higher tier |
| Triple science | Triple science |
English, maths & languages
| Guide | Article |
|---|---|
| English Language | Language |
| English Literature | Literature |
| Maths Foundation | Maths Foundation |
| Maths Higher | Maths Higher |
| French | French |
| Spanish | Spanish |
Humanities & options
| Guide | Article |
|---|---|
| History | History |
| Geography | Geography |
| Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Business | Business Studies |
| Psychology | Psychology |
Revision methods & CGP
| Guide | Article |
|---|---|
| CGP books | CGP revision guides |
| Active recall | Active recall |
| Flashcards | Flashcards |
| Past papers + guides | Guides with past papers |
| Revision timetable | Timetable |
Year 11 plans & audiences
| Guide | Article |
|---|---|
| Year 10 | Year 10 plan |
| Year 11 | Year 11 plan |
| One month | One-month revision |
| Two weeks | Two-week sprint |
| After mock | After mock |
| Parents | For parents |
| Homeschool | Homeschool |
| Private candidate | Private candidate |
How to use study guides effectively
- Specification first — highlight topics; note which are Higher-only.
- Active recall — cover the page; write definitions from memory.
- Command words — AQA command words guide (and board-specific lists for your subjects).
- Past papers weekly from Year 11 spring term — 2026 past papers.
- Mark strictly — learn what examiners credit, not what “feels” right.
GCSE vs IGCSE study materials
| GCSE (UK) | IGCSE (international) | |
|---|---|---|
| Boards | AQA, Edexcel, OCR | Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel International |
| Grading | 9–1 | Often A*–G or 9–1 (board-dependent) |
| Tutopiya hub | This page | IGCSE study guides |
Do not mix revision guides from different qualifications.
Exam timing and wellbeing
- Know your series — GCSE exam dates 2026.
- Plan results day — GCSE results day 2026.
- Short breaks, sleep, and one subject focus block per session beat passive highlighting.
Frequently asked questions
Are CGP guides enough for GCSE?
Often sufficient for content; you still need past papers and school mock feedback.
Which exam board study guide should I buy?
The one matching your specification code on your school timetable.
Triple vs Combined Science guides?
Different books — combined science study guide vs separate biology/chemistry/physics guides.
Online GCSE tutor with study guides?
Online GCSE tutor UK — tutors align sessions to your board and mocks.
Free digital study guides?
Board specifications + past papers hub are free starting points.
Check your school’s exam board and tier (Foundation/Higher) before buying or downloading any revision material.
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