Save My Exams vs BBC Bitesize: Full Comparison

Key takeaways:

• Save My Exams offers exam-board-specific notes, past papers, and model answers written by teachers and examiners, making it ideal for GCSE, IGCSE, A Level, and IB exam prep.

• BBC Bitesize is a free, government-backed resource with simple explanations, videos, and quizzes, covering a wide range of subjects from KS1 to KS5.

• SME is best for structured, exam-focused revision, while Bitesize is great for accessible learning and quick refreshers.

• Many students use both platforms together: Bitesize to understand concepts, and SME to practise exam questions and refine exam technique.

Choosing the right revision platform can make a real difference to GCSE and A Level success. With so many online tools available, it can be difficult to know which one will actually help you achieve your goals. Two of the most widely used platforms are Save My Exams and BBC Bitesize, but they take very different approaches.

Save My Exams is built around exam-board-specific resources, written by teachers and examiners, to help students prepare in the exact way examiners expect. BBC Bitesize is a free platform from the BBC that provides simplified explanations, quizzes, and videos to support learning. In this guide, we’ll compare their features, coverage, and value, so you can decide which one best fits your learning style and goals.

What Is Save My Exams?

Save My Exams is a premium revision platform for GCSE, IGCSE, IB, and A Level students. Its goal is to help learners improve exam performance by combining clear content summaries with exam-style practice. Every resource is written by teachers and examiners, so you know the material is accurate and fully aligned to exam board specifications.

Key features include:

• Concise revision notes that summarise key topics clearly

• Exam-style questions with model answers to practise applying knowledge

• Past papers and walkthroughs to build exam confidence

• Examiner tips that highlight common pitfalls and strategies

• Our AI marking tool, Smart Mark, to help predict your exam grade

• Mock exams to simulate real exam conditions 

• Flashcards to practice active recall for exam-aligned topics

Research shows that students who use Save My Exams improve their grades by an average of two. This makes it a strong choice for students who want structured, exam-focused revision that mirrors what’s expected in real assessments.

What Is BBC Bitesize?

BBC Bitesize is a free, government-backed online learning platform designed for students from KS1 through to post-16. It’s one of the most widely recognised resources in the UK and is often a first stop for students who want simple, accessible explanations.

Key features include:

• Articles and topic summaries written in student-friendly language

• Short quizzes to check understanding

• Videos, animations, and infographics to make concepts engaging

• Coverage across a broad range of subjects from primary school to GCSE and beyond

Bitesize is particularly strong for accessibility. Because it’s free and easy to navigate, it’s widely used by students, teachers, and parents as a starting point for revision. However, it is less focused on exam technique compared to Save My Exams.

Key Differences

Which Platform Is Best for You?

For Students

If your main goal is exam success, Save My Exams is the stronger option. Its resources are specifically targeted to your syllabus, helping you focus only on what you need for your course. The combination of exam-board-specific revision notes, exam questions, flashcards, and past papers gives you everything required to practise your exam technique and build your confidence.

BBC Bitesize, however, is a fantastic starting point. If you’re struggling to understand a topic, its straightforward explanations and videos can make concepts easier to grasp. It’s beneficial in the early stages of revision or for quick refreshers before moving on to more exam-focused work.

For Parents

Parents often appreciate Save My Exams for its reliability and structure. Because teachers and examiners write everything, you can trust that your child is revising the right content. Its exam-specific focus makes it especially valuable during exam season.

BBC Bitesize is completely free, which makes it accessible to every family. For younger students or those just starting GCSEs, Bitesize can be a helpful support tool. However, it may need to be combined with more exam-focused resources later on.

For Teachers

Save My Exams offers exam-style questions, past papers, and structured notes that fit naturally into lesson planning and homework. Teachers often use SME to reinforce exam technique and provide students with additional practice.

BBC Bitesize can be very effective for introducing topics or providing extra resources for students to explore independently. Its videos and animations are engaging in the classroom, but it doesn’t offer the same level of exam-board alignment as Save My Exams.

Maximising the Benefits of Each Platform

• Use Save My Exams to: 

  • Ensure you’ve checked off every topic in the syllabus during your revision. 

  • Combine revision notes with examiner tips to avoid common mistakes.

  • Check your learning using flashcards.

  • Schedule regular past paper practice using the banks of past papers.

  • Practise applying knowledge under timed conditions, and use the worked solutions to check your understanding.

• Use BBC Bitesize to: 

  • Watch videos and infographics to reinforce tricky concepts.

  • Try the short quizzes to check your recall. 

  • Get quick refreshers in the early stages of revision before moving on to exam-style practice.

  • Pair with exam-board-specific resources to ensure you’re fully prepared.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Save My Exams worth paying for?

Yes. 

If you want exam-focused, syllabus-specific resources written by experts, the investment can significantly improve results across all of your subjects.

Is BBC Bitesize good enough for GCSEs?

BBC Bitesize is excellent for understanding topics and quick revision, but it doesn’t provide the same exam-board-specific resources, such as detailed revision notes for the exact syllabus you’re studying or exam practice questions as Save My Exams.

Can I use both SME and Bitesize together?

Absolutely. 

Many students use Bitesize for simple explanations and quick refreshers, then turn to SME for detailed exam practice and past papers.

Which platform is better for last-minute revision?

Save My Exams is stronger for last-minute preparation because of its past papers, model answers, and examiner tips. 

Bitesize is better for quick topic refreshers.

Do teachers recommend one platform over the other?

Many teachers recommend both, depending on the stage of learning. 

Bitesize works well for introducing and reinforcing topics, while SME is ideal for exam preparation.

Final Thoughts

Both Save My Exams and BBC Bitesize are powerful tools, but they serve different purposes. Save My Exams is the best choice if you want structured, exam-board-specific revision resources that mirror what examiners expect. BBC Bitesize is a fantastic free resource for building understanding and reinforcing concepts, but it is less focused on exam technique.

The good news is that you don’t have to choose just one. Many students start with Bitesize to understand a topic, then move to Save My Exams to practise exam questions and refine exam skills. The right choice depends on whether your priority is accessibility and simplicity or exam-focused preparation.