Save My Exams vs Online Tutoring: Which Is Right for You?

That feeling of uncertainty is one of the most frustrating parts of studying for high-stakes exams. You could spend hours reading through your notes and still not feel confident.

There are two solid options that thousands of students use to nail their grades: structured revision platforms like Save My Exams, and personalised online tutoring. Both can make a real difference, but they work in very different ways.

In this article, we'll explain how Save My Exams and online tutoring compare, so you can make a smart decision about how to spend your revision time (and budget).

Key Takeaways

• Save My Exams is a low-cost, self-directed revision platform offering exam-board-aligned notes, past papers, and practice questions across a wide range of subjects.

• Online tutoring provides personalised, one-to-one instruction that adapts in real time to your specific gaps and learning style.

• Cost is a major deciding factor: Save My Exams costs a fraction of the price of regular online tutoring sessions.

What Is Save My Exams?

Save My Exams is an online revision platform built for school students preparing for their exams. It was founded with one goal in mind: to make high-quality revision resources accessible to every student.

The platform covers a huge range of subjects across major UK exam boards like AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, and CIE. It also supports IB and AP students.

Save My Exams resources include revision notes, exam questions, past papers, flashcards, and mock exams. All resources are: 

• Written and reviewed by qualified teachers and examiners who know exactly what markers are looking for.

• Aligned to your exam board, so you only revise what you need and nothing else.

Students use Save My Exams as part of their regular study routine, working through revision notes, testing themselves with practice questions, and then checking mark schemes to understand where they went wrong.

Next step: Why not check if your subject and exam board are covered by Save My Exams? 

What Is Online Tutoring?

Online tutoring means working with a qualified tutor over the internet, usually via video call platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, or dedicated tutoring apps. 

Sessions can be one-to-one or in small groups, and they can be booked weekly, on-demand, or as intensive revision blocks around exam time.

Unlike a static revision resource, a tutor responds to you in real time. They can: 

• Explain things in different ways if you're stuck

• Quiz you

• Set homework

• Track your progress over time

Online tutoring has grown significantly in recent years. According to Grand View Research (opens in a new tab), the global online tutoring market was worth a huge $10.42 billion in 2024, and it’s still growing. 

Tutors can be found through dedicated online tutoring platforms, or independently through word of mouth and social media.

Key Differences Between Save My Exams and Online Tutoring

Here's a quick overview of how the two approaches compare:

Learning Style and Approach

Save My Exams suits students who are comfortable with independent study. You: 

• Set your own pace

• Choose your own topics

• Work through content in your own time

This works brilliantly if you're motivated and organised.

Online tutoring takes a guided approach. Your tutor: 

• Leads the session

• Checks your understanding

• Adapts their explanations depending on your understanding 

This is better suited to students who learn well through conversation and direct instruction.

Personalisation and Flexibility

Save My Exams gives you flexibility in when and how you study. You can log on at 11 pm the night before a test if you need to. But the content itself isn't tailored to you specifically. Everyone gets the same notes and questions.

However, using the Strengths and Weaknesses tool will highlight your weakest topics and guide you to relevant resources to plug your knowledge gaps.

Online tutoring isn’t accessible all the time. Sessions are scheduled in advance, which requires more planning. But the content of each session is built around your needs. Your:

• Weakest topics

• Specific misconceptions

• Knowledge gaps

If you need someone to notice that you keep making the same algebra mistake and help you fix it for good, a tutor is better placed to do that.

Cost Comparison

This is often the deciding factor for students and parents.

Save My Exams offers a free trial, so you can try out the revision materials, before signing up for a reasonably priced subscription plan. This then gives you access to the full library of resources across all subjects.

Online tutoring in the UK costs, on average, £37.45 per hour. (opens in a new tab) This varies a lot, depending on the subject you need support with and the experience of the tutor you choose.

For families on a budget, Save My Exams offers exceptional value. Tutoring is an investment that many families find worthwhile, but it's not accessible to everyone.

Next step: Explore our article on tuition costs to see if this is an option that fits within your budget.

Content Coverage and Exam Alignment

Save My Exams is built around specific exam board syllabi. Every piece of content maps exactly to what you'll be tested on. No more, no less. This makes it useful for making sure you haven't missed anything or studied anything you didn’t need to.

Online tutors vary. An experienced tutor who specialises in your subject and exam board will know the specification inside out. A more generalist tutor may cover the right content, but not necessarily in the way your exam board expects it to be answered.

Tip: When choosing a tutor, always ask whether they have experience with your specific exam board and whether they're familiar with the current specification.

Support and Feedback

Save My Exams and online tutoring offer feedback and support in different ways:

Can You Use Both Together?

Yes. And many of the most successful students do exactly this.

Here's how you could use both effectively:

• Use Save My Exams to work through your revision topic by topic, completing practice questions as you go.

• Keep a list of topics or question types you're consistently struggling with.

• Bring that list to your online tutor and focus your sessions on those specific areas.

• After tutoring sessions, return to Save My Exams to reinforce what you've learned with more practice questions.

This structured approach means you get the breadth of Save My Exams and the depth of personalised tutoring, without overspending.

What Do Students and Parents Say?

Save My Exams has built a strong reputation among UK students and parents. On Trustpilot, the platform holds a rating of 4.6 out of 5 (opens in a new tab), with reviewers frequently praising the clarity of the revision notes and the quality of past paper questions.

Thomas, a student (opens in a new tab), says: “The AI marking forces me to perfect my technique, ensuring I get almost full marks in real exams (I have achieved only A*s in psychology since using it).”

Mary Ann, a parent (opens in a new tab), says: “My son benefited from it tremendously during GCSE’s and earned himself an academic scholarship. Save My Exams played a key role.”

Students who use online tutoring often respond positively, especially in subjects they previously found overwhelming. Research by the Education Endowment Fund in 2021 (opens in a new tab) stated that pupils enjoy online tuition and there are clear benefits for learning, including a boost in confidence and more engagement in learning. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Save My Exams enough to pass my exams?

Yes. Save My Exams covers the full curriculum for your exam board, provides ample practice material, and includes mark scheme guidance that helps you understand exactly what examiners want. 

That said, if you're really struggling with a specific subject or concept, combining it with some targeted tutoring can fill the gaps more quickly.

Is online tutoring safe?

It’s important to choose a reputable and trusted online tuition provider that has clear safeguarding guidelines. Look for companies that have a vigorous vetting process for their online tutors and have security measures in place to protect your personal information. 

What if I need help with specific topics only?

Both options work well here. 

Save My Exams lets you filter content by topic, so you can go straight to the areas you need to work on, without wading through everything else. 

If you need more hands-on support with a specific topic, you can also book one-off online tutoring sessions rather than committing to a regular schedule. Many tutors are happy to do this.

Save My Exams vs Online Tutoring: Which is Best For You?

There's no single "right" answer when it comes to Save My Exams vs online tutoring. This means you get to choose the approach that: 

• Fits your life

• Works with your budget

• Considers the way you learn best

The most important thing is that you take action. Whatever you choose, it’s consistent and focused revision that helps you hit your goals. Good luck with your exams!

References

Grand View Research - Online Tutoring Services Market (2025 - 2030) (opens in a new tab)

Tutorful - What are online private tutoring prices per hour? (opens in a new tab)

Trustpilot - Save My Exams (opens in a new tab)

Trustpilot - Review of Save My Exams by Thomas (Feb 2026) (opens in a new tab)

Trustpilot - Review of Save My Exams by Mary Ann (Dec 2025) (opens in a new tab)

Education Endowment Fund - EEF publishes findings from independent evaluation of National Online Tutoring pilot (opens in a new tab)