Best AI Tools for Students

Whether you're revising for GCSEs, tackling A Level coursework, or just trying to stay on top of your homework, artificial intelligence can be game-changers for study. But with so many options out there, and so much misinformation to contend with, which AI tools actually work for students?

This guide breaks down the most useful AI tools that can help you write better essays, revise more effectively, and manage your time like a pro. 

Save My Exams offers AI-powered tools too. Smart Mark gives you instant feedback on your answers to exam questions, helping you master your material more quickly.

Key Takeaways

• AI tools are transforming study habits: they can summarise notes, improve writing and help with time management when used responsibly.

• Choosing the right tool depends on needs, so students should start with free versions, try one at a time, and see if it works for them.

• Responsible use is essential: AI should support learning, not replace it. Students must check school policies, fact-check AI outputs, use tools for understanding rather than copying, and be transparent with teachers when AI has been used.

Why AI Tools Are Changing the Way Students Study

AI tools are revolutionising how students approach their schoolwork. The proportion of students using any AI tool surged (opens in a new tab) from 66% in 2024 to 92% in 2025, meaning just 8% of students are not using AI now. 

But no tool is made the same, and some uses are better than others.

Think of AI as a study assistant. These tools can summarise revision notes in seconds or check your grammar before you submit that English essay.

AI tools are meant to support your learning, not replace your thinking. When used responsibly, they help you understand topics better, organise your work more efficiently, and free up time for deeper learning. Here are some of our top tips on using AI for revision. 

Best AI Tools for Writing and Research

Grammarly

Grammarly (opens in a new tab) is a popular AI-powered writing assistant which checks your grammar, punctuation, and tone in real-time. Perfect for polishing essays, emails to teachers, and coursework before submission. The free version catches basic errors, while Grammarly Premium offers advanced suggestions for clarity and style.

What makes it great for students:

• Catches mistakes you might miss when proofreading

• Suggests better word choices to improve your writing

• Explains grammar rules so you learn as you write

• Available as a browser extension and mobile app

Still, it’s important to remember that this is a tool, and it doesn’t always catch errors, especially mix-ups like the dreaded ‘it’s’ and ‘it’s’, so proofreading is still necessary.

Cost: Free version available, Premium from £9.49/month

QuillBot

QuillBot (opens in a new tab) is brilliant for improving your writing clarity and helping you understand complex topics. Its paraphrasing tool can rewrite sentences to make them clearer, whilst its summariser can condense long articles into key points.

Particularly helpful when you're revising class notes or trying to understand difficult concepts from textbooks. You can paste in confusing explanations and get clearer versions back.

Key features for students:

• Paraphrasing tool for rewriting sentences more clearly

• Summariser for condensing lengthy revision materials

• Grammar checker integrated with writing tools

• Citation generator for referencing sources properly

Cost: Free version with limited features, Premium from £4.95/month

ChatGPT

ChatGPT is the most popular and well-known Large Language Model, and it’s especially useful for condensing information. It can explain difficult concepts and help brainstorm essay ideas. What it struggles with, like LLMs in general, is discerning fact from fiction, and so everything it says needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.

The key to using ChatGPT ethically is treating it as a study buddy, not a homework-completing machine. Use it to clarify topics or generate ideas - but never copy-paste full answers into your work.

Smart ways to use ChatGPT:

• Ask it to explain complex topics in simple terms

• Help brainstorm essay structures and arguments

• Create study schedules tailored to your needs

Cost: Robust free version available, ChatGPT Plus from £16/month

Google Gemini

Just like ChatGPT, Google's AI assistant is excellent for research and understanding topics across different subjects. It can access current information and provide detailed explanations tailored to your level.

Google offers premium tools for educators, who have been some of the earliest adopters of generative AI, and many of these benefits extend to students too. This can act as a useful jumping-off point for research.

What makes it useful:

• Can explain concepts at different difficulty levels

• Helps with creative writing prompts and ideas

• Integration with other Google tools you already use

Cost: Free to use

Best AI Tools for Revision and Studying

Notion

Notion (opens in a new tab) can summarise notes and help organise your revision materials.

If you already use Notion for note-taking, the AI features can automatically generate summaries, create revision schedules, and even quiz you on your content.

Benefits for students:

• Summarises lengthy notes into key points

• Creates structured study guides from messy notes

• Generates quiz questions from your content

• Helps organise subjects and deadlines in one place

Cost: Free Notion account required, AI features from £8/month

Best AI Tools for Time Management and Planning

Time management is one of the most obvious stressors of study. Many of these tools help to take the thinking out of time management, so you can concentrate on the content of your study time instead.

Motion

Motion (opens in a new tab) uses AI to create the perfect study schedule by analysing your workload, deadlines, and available time slots. It automatically schedules study sessions and adjusts your timetable when things change.

This is ideal for students juggling multiple subjects, coursework deadlines, and revision schedules. The AI learns your working patterns and optimises your schedule accordingly.

Key features:

• Automatic scheduling based on priorities and deadlines

• Adapts to changes in your timetable

• Blocks out focused study time

• Integrates with calendar apps

Cost: From £12/month (student discounts available)

Clockify with AI Features

It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re studying, especially if there’s one topic you’re more drawn to than others. Clockify (opens in a new tab) helps you track how much time you actually spend studying different subjects. The AI analysis shows you patterns in your productivity and suggests better study schedules.

What’s more, it can even be integrated into your Google Calendar (opens in a new tab). 

Understanding where your time goes is crucial for effective revision planning, especially during exam periods.

What it offers:

• Time tracking for different subjects

• AI-powered productivity insights

• Study session analysis and recommendations

• Project management for coursework

Cost: Free version available, Plus from £3.99/month

Google Calendar with Smart Scheduling

Google Calendar's AI features can suggest optimal times for study sessions and automatically create study blocks based on your exam timetable.

Thousands of schools have adopted Google Workspace for Education, but it’s worth checking whether your school uses Google or Microsoft platforms, as it might make more sense to adapt to what is widely used by your school.

Helpful features:

• Smart scheduling suggestions for study time

• Automatic event creation from emails

• Integration with Google Classroom

• Shared calendars for group projects

Cost: Free with Google account

Choosing the Right AI Tool for You

Start with the free tools first. Try Grammarly for writing, Socratic for problem-solving, and Google's AI tools for research. Once you know what works for your learning style, you can consider premium features.

The best AI tool is the one you'll actually use consistently. Pick tools that fit naturally into your current study routine, rather than trying to change everything at once.

How To Use AI Tools Responsibly at School

Using AI tools in and of itself doesn’t mean you haven’t put the hard work in. But you need to understand the rules and use these tools ethically. Doing so will ensure that you know the subjects you’ve studied inside out, setting you up for success outside the exam setting.

The JCQ AI Use in Assessments (opens in a new tab) document provides teachers/assessors with the information they need to manage the use of AI in assessments, and this guidance helps both teachers and students understand appropriate AI use.

Key principles for responsible AI use:

• Always check your school's policy first. Every school has different rules about AI tools, especially for coursework and assessments. When in doubt, ask your teachers.

• Use AI to understand, not to replace your thinking. AI should explain concepts or help organise your ideas. It shouldn't write your essays or complete your homework.

• Be transparent about your AI use. If you've used AI tools to help with research or brainstorming, mention it in your work or to your teacher. Honesty builds trust.

• Learn from the AI, don't just copy from it. The goal is to understand topics better, not to get answers without learning. Always review and understand AI output before using it.

• Question your AI tool. Sometimes, you might be presented with a fact that’s out of date, or just plain wrong. Do your own research, and you’ll not only have saved time with your initial prompting, but you’ll have gained some useful problem-solving skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are AI tools allowed for GCSE or A Level coursework?

This depends entirely on your specific exam board and school policy. As mentioned above, JCQ has published guidance on AI use in assessments that helps schools create their own policies.

Generally, AI tools that help you learn and understand concepts are more likely to be acceptable than tools that complete work for you. Always check with your teachers before using AI for any assessed work.

For coursework and controlled assessments, the rules are usually stricter than for general homework and revision.

Can AI tools help with maths and science too?

Absolutely! Many of these tools help with maths and science problems by providing step-by-step explanations. If you’re studying for your GCSEs, IGCSEs, A Levels, IB or AP exams, try Save My Exams revision resources for high quality subject and topic breakdowns that you can trust. 

ChatGPT and other AI assistants can explain complex scientific concepts, too, though as with all fact-based research, consulting a trusted source is necessary.

Be careful not to become too dependent on AI for mathematical reasoning. Use these tools to understand methods and check your work, not to skip the thinking process.

How do I know if an AI tool is reliable?

Look for tools created by reputable companies with clear educational purposes. Tools like those from Google, Microsoft, and established education companies tend to be more reliable, but even these tools state clearly that Large Language Models can be factually inaccurate or out of date. 

Always cross-reference important information with your textbooks, trusted educational websites, or by asking your teachers. AI can make mistakes, especially with very recent information or highly specialised topics.

For academic work, treat AI-generated content as a starting point for your research, not the final word on any topic.

Get Started with AI Tools Today

The future of education is here, and AI tools are part of it. By learning to use them responsibly, you're developing digital skills that will serve you well throughout your academic journey and beyond. Remember that many people don’t know how to get the most out of these tools, yet, and learning them can be a genuine advantage.

Not only this, but AI tools can transform how you approach studying when used thoughtfully and responsibly. They can help you stay organised and make learning more engaging and effective.

References:

AI Use in Assessments: Your role in protecting the integrity of qualifications (opens in a new tab)

UK universities warned to ‘stress-test’ assessments as 92% of students use AI (opens in a new tab)