The Root Blog
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Practical, science-backed guides to revision, study techniques and exam prep — the same learning principles Root is built on.
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What Is Root Tutor? The AI Tutor for IB (and GCSE, A Level)
What Root Tutor does: an AI tutor that remembers you, a Revision mode that finds what you've forgotten, exam-style test prep and a Planner. Free to use, no card.
AI Tutoring in 2026: A Complete Guide for Students and Parents
What AI tutoring is, whether it actually works, how it compares to a human tutor, and how to use it well. An honest, research-informed guide for students and parents.
How to Revise: A Complete, Evidence-Based Guide
The science-backed way to revise for exams: active recall, spaced repetition, past papers and a realistic plan. A complete guide for GCSE, IGCSE and IB students.
9 Study Techniques That Actually Work (and 3 That Don't)
A no-nonsense, research-backed guide to the study techniques that genuinely improve grades, and the popular ones that waste your time. Based on cognitive science.
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Is the IB Diploma Worth It? A Parent's Guide (2026)
Is the IB Diploma worth it for your child? What it asks, what US and UK universities think, the stress question, and how Root Tutor helps IB students.
Best AI Revision Apps for GCSE, A-Level and IB (2026)
The best AI revision apps compared: Root Tutor, ChatGPT study mode, Gemini, Seneca, Save My Exams, Medly and Khanmigo, with free options and a verdict for each.
Best AI Study Planner Apps for IB, GCSE and A-Level (2026)
The best AI study planner apps compared: Root Tutor, MyStudyLife, Motion, Reclaim, Notion AI and ChatGPT, judged on whether they know your tests and weak spots.
Best IB Maths Resources for AA and AI (HL and SL) in 2026
The best IB Maths resources for AA and AI at HL and SL: Root Tutor, IB past papers and Questionbank, the formula booklet, Revision Village and Save My Exams.
Save My Exams Alternatives: 7 Free and Cheaper Options
Hit the Save My Exams paywall? Here are 7 free and cheaper alternatives for GCSE, A-level and IB, from Root Tutor's marked papers to exam-board past papers.
Best AI Tutors for A-Level (2026): Ranked and Compared
A-Level AI tutors compared: Root Tutor, Medly, Save My Exams, Seneca, Up Learn, Khanmigo and ChatGPT, judged on AQA, Edexcel and OCR fit, marking and cost.
Best AI Tutors for IB (2026): Ranked and Compared
The best AI tutors for IB compared: Root Tutor, RevisionDojo, Save My Exams, Medly, Khanmigo and ChatGPT, judged on HL and SL, IA, EE, TOK and cost.
ChatGPT vs Root Tutor for IB: Which Should You Study With?
ChatGPT vs Root Tutor for IB students: memory of your subjects, HL and SL, IA, EE and TOK rules, exam-style marking, planning and cost, compared side by side.
How to Get a 7 in IB Chemistry (New Syllabus Guide)
How to get a 7 in IB Chemistry on the new syllabus: what Paper 1A, 1B and 2 reward, the four IA criteria, and a revision plan that keeps every subtopic fresh.
How to Revise for GCSE Mocks: A Plan for Years 10 and 11
How to revise for GCSE mocks across every subject: what to revise first, how much a day, a 3-week plan, and what Year 10 and Year 11 mocks are really for.
Seneca vs Save My Exams: Which Is Better for Revision?
Seneca vs Save My Exams for GCSE and A-level: what each does well, what's free, what you pay for, and when free past papers mean you need neither one.
IB November Session 2026: How to Use the Final 3 Weeks
The IB November session 2026 runs 23 October to 13 November. A week-by-week plan for the last three weeks, the command terms to drill, and results day.
IB Exam Technique: Command Terms and Mark Schemes
Most IB students lose marks by misreading command terms. Here is how to answer IB questions correctly and use the mark scheme to score every mark you earn.
How to Get a 7 in IB English A: A Practical Guide
IB English A strategies for a 7: Paper 1 unseen text analysis, comparative essay skills, Individual Oral prep, and the mistakes that cost most marks.
IB Year 1: A Practical Guide to Starting the Diploma
Starting the IB Diploma? Here's exactly what Year 1 looks like, which components to start early, and how to build study habits that pay off at exam time.
IB Year 2: What to Focus on From September
Starting IB Year 2? Exactly what to prioritise from September: the EE, IAs, TOK, and how to build your revision habit well before the May exams arrive.
IB TOK Exhibition Guide: How to Nail Every Stage
A step-by-step guide to the IB TOK Exhibition: choose your IA Prompt, pick three strong objects, and write 950 words of commentary that earns full marks.
How to Get a 7 in IB Biology: A Practical Exam Guide
Getting a 7 in IB Biology comes down to command terms, data analysis and a strong IA, not just content memorisation. Here is what separates a 6 from a 7.
IB Diploma Requirements: What You Actually Need to Pass
IB diploma requirements explained: 24+ points, no grade 1, no E in TOK or EE, CAS completed. Here is what each condition means and where students fall short.
How to Get a 7 in IB Physics
IB Physics grade 7 guide: the command terms, data skills, past-paper method and IA habits that separate 7s from 5s and 6s. Updated for the 2023 syllabus.
IB CAS Guide: How to Complete CAS Without the Stress
IB CAS explained clearly: how to pick activities across all three strands, write passing reflections, complete the CAS project, and hit all 7 learning outcomes.
How to Get a 7 in IB Economics
IB Economics grade 7 guide: earn evaluation marks, build a perfect diagram bank, and practise the real-world application skills that close the gap from 5 to 7.
How to Manage the IB Workload: A System That Actually Works
The IB piles six subjects, an Extended Essay, IAs, TOK and CAS onto two years. This guide gives you a practical system to manage all of it without burning out.
IB Mock Exam Strategy: Get the Most From Every Past Paper
Don't just attempt IB past papers and move on. Here's how to use each mock paper to find your exact gaps, target your revision, and push your IB grades higher.
Best Apps for IB Students in 2026: Tested and Ranked
Seven apps ranked for IB students: from adaptive AI tutoring to spaced-repetition flashcards, note-taking and focus. Find the right stack for the IB workload.
How to Get a 7 in IB Maths: A Practical Guide for AA and AI
A grade 7 in IB Maths AA or AI requires more than hard work. Here is what the top grade demands and how to close the gap between where you are and a 7.
How to Revise IB Biology: A Guide for HL and SL Students
Revising IB Biology at HL or SL? This guide covers paper structure, data analysis, the Individual Investigation, and the study techniques that actually stick.
IB Exam Stress: Why It Hits Harder and How to Handle It
IB exam stress is unique: six subjects, IAs, an EE and conditional university offers all at once. Practical, evidence-backed strategies that actually help.
How to Revise for IB Exams: A Practical Guide
A practical guide to IB exam revision: when to start, which techniques work for DP papers, how to use mark schemes, and managing six subjects at once.
IB Maths AA vs AI: Which Course Should You Choose?
IB Maths AA vs AI explained: what each course covers, which universities prefer AA HL, and a clear guide to picking the right maths course for your goals.
IB HL vs SL: How to Choose Your Higher Level Subjects
IB Higher Level subjects demand 240 hours and go much deeper than SL. How to pick the right three HL subjects for your university targets and strengths.
IB Predicted Grades Explained: What They Are and How They Work
IB predicted grades determine your university offers. Here is how teachers calculate them, what the numbers mean, and what you can do to influence yours.
TOK Essay Tips: How to Write a Theory of Knowledge Essay
Practical TOK essay tips: how to pick a prescribed title, develop a genuine line of argument, use Areas of Knowledge examples well, and earn top marks.
IB vs A-Levels: Which Is Right for You?
A clear comparison of the IB Diploma and A-Levels for UK students: structure, workload, university recognition, and how to decide which suits you.
IB Extended Essay Guide: How to Plan, Write and Score Well
A practical guide to the IB Extended Essay: choosing a research question, building a timeline, hitting the assessment criteria, and avoiding common mistakes.
IB Internal Assessment Tips: How to Nail Your IA
IB internal assessments count for 20-30% of your final grade. How to pick the right topic, hit every criterion, and avoid the mistakes that cost marks.
How to Build an IB Revision Timetable That Actually Works
Build an IB revision timetable that balances six subjects, IAs and the Extended Essay. Step-by-step method, weekly template and the five mistakes to avoid.
How to Get a 7 in IB: What the Top Grade Actually Requires
How to reach Grade 7 in your IB subjects: a practical guide to command terms, markbands, past-paper technique and revision habits that separate 7s from 6s.
How to Revise GCSE Physics: Calculations and Practicals
How to revise GCSE Physics effectively: the exam structure, the topics students lose marks on most, and how to tackle calculations and 6-mark questions.
How to Revise Chemistry for GCSE
Practical techniques for GCSE chemistry revision: how to master calculations, organic reactions, and required practicals, and what exam boards actually want.
How to Revise Biology for GCSE and A-Level
Practical techniques for revising biology at GCSE, IGCSE and A-level: from memorising definitions and processes to tackling command words and past papers.
GCSE Exam Technique: How to Pick Up Every Mark You Deserve
Most GCSE marks are lost through poor exam technique, not lack of knowledge. Learn to read questions, use mark schemes, and manage your time in the exam room.
How to Revise Science for GCSE and A-Level
A practical guide to revising biology, chemistry, and physics. Learn which techniques work, how to use past papers, and how to keep all three sciences on track.
Sleep and Studying: Why Rest Is Part of the Revision Plan
Cutting sleep to study more sounds logical. The science shows the opposite. Here is what sleep actually does to memory, and how to use it in your revision.
How to Take Notes Effectively (Methods That Actually Work)
Most note-taking is just copying. Here are the research-backed methods that work: Cornell notes, retrieval practice, and spacing reviews so they stick.
How to Avoid Revision Burnout (and What to Do If You Hit It)
Revision burnout creeps up gradually and hits just when you need to perform. Here are the early signs, the causes, and the strategies that actually work.
Growth Mindset for Students: What It Is and How to Build It
Understand what growth mindset really means for GCSE and A-level students, why it leads to better results, and the practical steps to start building it today.
How to Revise Maths for GCSE and A-Level
Practical maths revision techniques that actually improve exam marks, for GCSE, IGCSE and A-level students. Learn what works, what wastes your time, and why.
How to Memorise Things Fast (and Make Them Stick)
Memory techniques that actually work for GCSE and A-level exams: retrieval practice, spaced repetition, the memory palace and more, all backed by real research.
Interleaved Practice: Why Mixing Topics Beats Blocking Them
Interleaved practice means mixing topics in a session rather than blocking them. Research shows it significantly improves exam scores. Here is how to use it.
How to Use Past Papers Effectively (and Actually Improve)
Past papers only work if you use them right. Here's the step-by-step method that builds real exam confidence, closes topic gaps, and improves your marks.
Best IB Study Resources in 2026: Ranked and Reviewed
Seven IB study resources ranked honestly, from official past papers to AI tutors. Discover which tools actually match what IB exams demand from students.
Best Study Apps for A-Level in 2026: Tested and Ranked
Seven A-level study apps ranked honestly, from AI tutors with examiner marking to spaced-repetition flashcards. Find out which ones suit A-level revision.
AI Tutor vs Human Tutor for GCSE: An Honest Comparison
AI tutors vs human tutors for GCSE: comparing cost, availability, exam marking, and what 2025 research actually says about which produces better results.
Best AI Tutors for GCSE: Top 5 Ranked (2026)
Best AI tutors for GCSE in the UK, ranked honestly: Root, Seneca Learning, Cognito, Khanmigo and Revision Genie compared on teaching quality, marking, and cost.
Best Free Revision Websites for GCSE and A-Level (UK, 2026)
The best free revision websites for UK students, ranked for GCSE, A-Level and IB. Find out what BBC Bitesize, Seneca, Root and others actually do well.
Best Revision Apps for GCSE, A-Level and IB (2026)
Honest verdicts on the best revision apps for UK students: which ones genuinely improve grades, which are free, and which teach you rather than just quiz you.
Best GCSE Revision Tools in 2026: Ranked and Reviewed
Seven GCSE revision tools ranked honestly, from free websites to AI tutors. Find out which ones actually improve grades and why active practice matters most.
How to Make a Study Plan (That Actually Works)
A step-by-step guide to making a study plan: how to audit your subjects, allocate time where it counts, build in spaced revision, and stick to it.
IGCSE Exam Preparation: A Complete Cambridge Revision Guide
The complete IGCSE revision guide: how the Cambridge system works, which study techniques actually help, and how to use past papers to get the grades you want.
How to Revise for A-Levels: Step-by-Step Revision Tips
Evidence-based A-Level revision: when to start, how to plan around weak high-mark topics, the techniques that work, and how to use past papers and mark schemes.
Last-Minute Revision: What to Do the Day (and Night) Before an Exam
Out of time? Here's the calm, high-impact way to revise the day and night before an exam: what to focus on, what to skip, and why all-nighters backfire.
IB Exam Prep and Study Plan: How to Study for the IB Diploma
The IB is demanding, but it's manageable with the right strategy. A complete guide to studying for IB exams: balancing internal assessments, the core, and revision.
How to Use Flashcards Properly (the Leitner System + Active Recall)
Flashcards are powerful, if you use them right. Learn how to make effective flashcards and combine the Leitner system with spaced repetition for serious results.
How to Deal With Exam Stress and Anxiety: A Practical Guide
Exam stress is normal, but it doesn't have to wreck your performance. Practical, evidence-based techniques to manage exam anxiety before and during your exams.
How to Stop Procrastinating on Studying: 12 Tactics That Work
Procrastination isn't laziness; it's how your brain avoids discomfort. Here are 12 practical, psychology-based tactics to actually start studying and keep going.
How to Make a Revision Timetable That Actually Works (+ Template)
A step-by-step guide to building a realistic revision timetable that you'll actually stick to, with a ready-to-use weekly template and the mistakes to avoid.
Active Recall: The Most Effective Way to Study (Backed by Research)
Active recall is the highest-impact study technique there is. Here's what it is, why it beats re-reading, and seven practical ways to use it for revision.
Spaced Repetition: The Complete Guide (with a Revision Schedule)
What spaced repetition is, why it works, and the exact schedule to use. A practical, research-backed guide to spacing your revision so you remember more in less time.
How to Revise for GCSEs: A Step-by-Step Guide
A complete, practical guide to GCSE and IGCSE revision: when to start, how to plan, which techniques work, and how to use past papers to hit the grades you want.
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