The Best Free Revision Resources for Students on a Budget

Access to quality education should never depend on your income — and yet, far too many students are left behind simply because they can’t afford private tutoring or expensive study platforms. A recent report by the National Center for Education Statistics showed that over 16% of U.S. high school students from low-income households lack access to supplemental academic resources, and this percentage is even higher globally. 

At Open Horizons, we believe that no student should be priced out of academic success. That’s why we created a platform that delivers premium-quality revision materials — without charging a cent. No ads. No sign-ups. No fees. 

Whether you’re studying for IGCSEs, IB, AP, SATs, or national exams, here are the best tools and strategies you can use to study effectively for free — starting today. 

1. Use Reliable Free Revision Websites for Resources

The internet is full of free revision resources — but most of the high-quality ones are locked behind paywalls. That’s exactly why our founder, Jonathan Gamez, launched Open Horizons. 

When I was studying for my IGCSEs, I was inspired by SaveMyExams — but disappointed to see it was behind a paywall. I knew we could build something better and free. - Jonathan Gamez, Founder & CEO

At Open Horizons, you get:

• Free revision notes for every subject

• No signups or tracking

• No hidden fees or advertising 

We’re building resources for Math, Science, English, Social Studies, Business, and more — all aligned with top-tier global syllabuses like IB, AP, and IGCSE. Our mission is to deliver better resources than the paid platforms — and do it for free.

2. Practice with Past Papers and Active Recall

Practice makes progress — and the best way to prepare for exams is by using past papers and active recall techniques. That’s why Open Horizons is currently developing a database of practice questions that reflect real exam formats. 

In the meantime, here’s how to start practicing:

• Download past papers directly from your exam board (IB, AP, IGCSE, etc.)

• Use our revision notes and plug them into our Quizlet integration, where AI automatically creates flashcards for you

• Focus on retrieving knowledge, not just reviewing it

Research shows that active recall is the most effective method for long-term memory retention. The more you test yourself, the better you’ll perform — and with Open Horizons, this process becomes simpler and smarter.

3. Watch YouTube Channels and Listen to Podcasts

Some students learn better by watching or listening. That’s why we’ve launched the Open Horizons YouTube Channel — an ever-growing library of

• Short-form video lessons

• SAT questions solved in under 60 seconds

• Productivity and study tips

• Motivation for students from our Founder 

All our content is 100% free and tailored to the exact needs of students like you. Even our founder, Jonathan, uses YouTube videos for daily motivation and learning.

4. Make Flashcards the Smart Way

Flashcards are powerful — but making them takes time. That’s why we recommend using Quizlet, our official partner, to instantly generate AI-powered flashcards from your Open Horizons notes. 

Pro tip: Copy and paste your favorite Open Horizons revision notes into Quizlet. It will automatically generate a deck of flashcards you can review in minutes — perfect for active recall, spaced repetition, or quick review on the go. 

We’re also developing our own in-platform flashcard system, so stay tuned.

5. Join Community Forums and Get Peer Support

You don’t have to study alone. In fact, studying with others improves motivation, accountability, and emotional wellbeing. That’s why Open Horizons is building a global student community where you can:

• Join the conversation at r/OpenHorizons on Reddit

• Connect with other students in our Slack group (launching soon)

• Get help from other learners, share study strategies, and celebrate wins

Whether you’re asking for help, giving advice, or just trying to stay accountable — our community is here to back you. At Open Horizons, we want every student to feel like they have a team behind them. 

Success in school isn’t about spending more — it’s about studying smart. Free tools, when used correctly, can outperform even the most expensive study programs. At Open Horizons, we believe in equal access, radical transparency, and empowering students through technology.  If you commit to the strategies above and make Open Horizons part of your journey, you’ll not only compete with the top students — you’ll outperform them.  We’re here to help you open your horizons — and your future.