How to Spot Untrustworthy Online Revision Advice

With so many websites, videos, and TikToks offering study tips, it can be hard to know which revision advice you can really trust. Some content is excellent, created by teachers, examiners, or platforms like Save My Exams. However, plenty of it is unreliable, outdated, or written by people with no exam experience.

This guide will help you spot the red flags of untrustworthy online revision advice. We’ll give you a checklist for finding reliable, accurate, and exam-specific resources that actually help you improve your grades and confidence.

Key Takeaways

• Not all revision advice online is reliable. Learn how to spot poor information before it affects your grades.

• Look for warning signs such as missing sources, vague tips, unrealistic promises, or hidden product promotion.

• Always cross-check study advice against official exam board specifications or trusted educational platforms like Save My Exams.

• Building critical thinking and digital literacy skills will make you a smarter, more confident learner. These habits will help you far beyond exams.

Why Spotting Unreliable Advice Matters

Following poor revision advice can waste time, cause confusion, or even lead you to study the wrong material. Some websites and videos oversimplify complex topics, while others make promises like “guaranteed grade 9s” or “pass your IB exams in a week.”

Trusting inaccurate information doesn’t just waste study time. It can also damage your confidence and make you question your ability when results don’t match your effort.

Reliable revision advice is clear about where its information comes from. It matches exam board specifications, is written or reviewed by qualified teachers, and offers realistic strategies to help you improve.

Learning to recognise trustworthy advice is not only essential for exams but also a valuable life skill in a world full of online opinions.

Red Flags: Signs of Untrustworthy Revision Advice

Not all poor revision advice is easy to spot. Some looks convincing at first glance, especially if it’s written confidently or presented with polished visuals. But there are clear warning signs that can help you decide whether to trust what you’re reading or watching.

Here are the most common red flags to look for.

Lack of Citations or Official Sources

If a website or video doesn’t reference exam board specifications, official materials, or textbooks, be cautious. Reliable revision platforms always align their content with the correct syllabus and topic requirements.

For example: A blog says, “These are the most common English Literature themes for GCSEs,” but never mentions which exam board it’s based on. That should make you cautious.

Overly Generic or Vague Claims

Phrases like “revise everything regularly” or “just practise past papers” aren’t wrong, but they’re too broad to be useful. Reliable advice gives structure and examples, such as how to revise past papers or how often to review each topic.

Clickbait Headlines or Overpromising

Headlines like “How to Get a 9 in a Week” or “Guaranteed A*s with This Trick” are classic signs of unreliable advice. No credible teacher or examiner would promise a specific grade.

Trustworthy sources focus on effective methods, not empty claims.

Heavy Promotion of Products or Services

If an article spends more time selling than explaining, it’s probably driven by profit, not learning. Be wary of content that promotes expensive “secret” methods, apps, or courses, without showing how they link to real exams.

Outdated or Inaccurate Information

Always check the publication date. Exam specifications change regularly, and older content can lead you to revise the wrong material. 

As teachers, we’re constantly on guard for inaccuracies and outdated textbooks or learning materials. Even with years of experience and a detailed knowledge of exam board syllabi, this takes a careful eye.

Tip: Reliable sites such as Save My Exams update resources whenever exam boards release new specifications. Look for evidence of that.

Lack of Credentials

If you can’t tell who wrote the advice, treat it with caution. Look for teacher bios, examiner experience, or editorial information. Trusted platforms are open about their expertise and make it clear that their content is written by qualified educators.

Quick Comparison: Trustworthy vs Untrustworthy Revision Advice

Here’s a checklist to help you spot warning signs easily:

How to Check if Advice Is Trustworthy

Now that you know the warning signs, here’s how to check whether the revision advice you find online is worth following. Use this quick checklist whenever you come across a new study blog, TikTok video, or YouTube channel.

Compare with Official Exam Specifications

Check that the advice matches your exam board specification.

If a source tells you to study a topic that isn’t listed on your syllabus, or skips key themes and formulas, that’s a clear warning sign.

Example:

If you’re revising GCSE Biology with AQA, visit the AQA GCSE Biology (opens in a new tab) website and compare the topics listed there with what your resource covers. Save My Exams and other reputable platforms do this for you, so every note and question matches the official specification.

Look for Author Expertise or Credentials

Find out who wrote or presented the advice. Reliable content comes from people who:

• Teach or have taught the subject

• Have examiner or tutoring experience

• Are linked to reputable educational organisations
  If you can’t find this information, proceed with caution. You wouldn’t take medical advice from someone unqualified, and the same applies to exam preparation.

Cross-Check with Reputable Sources

If something sounds unusual, for example, a “new method” for revising essays or “secret tips” that claim to skip real study, check it against reliable sources.

Compare what you find with:

• Exam board websites (AQA (opens in a new tab), Edexcel (opens in a new tab), OCR (opens in a new tab), IB (opens in a new tab))

• Your teacher’s materials or school notes

• Trusted educational platforms such as Save My Exams, which bases its content on verified exam materials

If several credible sources agree, the advice is likely to be sound. If they don’t, think twice before using it.

Check Dates and Relevance to Your Exam Board

Good revision advice always makes clear:

• Which exam board it’s written for

• Which year or syllabus version it applies to

• When it was last updated

If an article or video doesn’t include these details, it may be out of date.

Tip: Always look for the phrase “updated for [year]” or a visible publish date.

Trusted Alternatives: Where to Find Reliable Revision Advice

Now that you know what to avoid, here’s where to find reliable, accurate revision advice online. The best sources are transparent, up to date, and created by people who understand your exams.

• Exam board websites: Your first stop for specifications, mark schemes, and official updates.

• Qualified teachers and examiners: Whether in school, tutoring, or online, their experience ensures accurate, syllabus-aligned guidance.

• Recognised educational platforms: Websites such as Save My Exams provide verified revision notes, topic questions, and model answers that follow exam board materials.

• Official textbooks and endorsed resources: Reliable for full topic coverage and syllabus accuracy.

You don’t need to avoid social media, but it’s important to be selective. Some TikTok creators and YouTubers are teachers or examiners sharing genuinely helpful content. Just check their background and make sure their advice matches your exam board and subjects.

Build Your Critical Thinking Skills Online

Spotting untrustworthy advice isn’t just about revision; it’s part of building your digital literacy.
Being able to question what you read, check sources, and make informed decisions helps you not only in exams but throughout life.

Here’s how to keep improving your online judgement:

• Always ask: “Who’s telling me this, and how do they know?”

• Be sceptical of shortcuts or so-called “magic formulas.”

• Practise verifying claims by checking multiple reliable sources.

• Think before you share, and avoid passing on poor advice to others.

The more you use these habits now, the easier it becomes to find reliable information online, whether it’s for revision, study techniques, or everyday news.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a revision website is trustworthy?

Look for clear author details, recent updates, and content that matches your exam board specification. Trusted sites such as Save My Exams make their teaching credentials and syllabus alignment easy to find.

What’s the risk of unqualified revision advice?

Unqualified or unreliable advice can lead you to revise the wrong material, waste valuable time, or follow study methods that don’t work. It can also knock your confidence if results don’t match your effort. Always double-check advice with official sources or your teacher.

Can I trust advice from influencers or TikTok?

Sometimes, but check carefully. Many qualified teachers now share helpful, accurate tips on TikTok and Instagram. Make sure their content matches your exam board and they mention their teaching or subject expertise. Save My Exams also posts reliable, syllabus-aligned study advice across its social channels.

Making Smart Choices About Revision Advice

Not all revision advice online is reliable. The best guidance comes from qualified teachers, follows official exam board specifications, and is updated regularly. If you’re unsure about what you find, compare it with trusted sources such as Save My Exams or official exam board materials.

By questioning what you read and checking advice before using it, you’ll protect your time and study more effectively. The more you practise this, the more confident and independent you’ll become in your learning and exam preparation.

When you’re ready to revise with confidence, explore our Save My Exams revision notes and exam questions written and reviewed by expert teachers.

References

• AQA | GCSE Biology 8461 | Specification (opens in a new tab)

• AQA (opens in a new tab)

• Edexcel (opens in a new tab)

• OCR (opens in a new tab)

• IB (opens in a new tab)