Quick answer
The best free IB Diploma stack in 2026: official IB past papers and markbands (source of truth), MarkScheme ([markscheme.app](https://markscheme.app)) for free syllabus courses ([/ib/courses](/ib/courses)) and criterion marking from photos ([/mark](/mark)), plus subject notes from school resources and communities like r/IBO. For IB Maths AA/AI question volume, Revision Village has a freemium tier but is not a handwriting marker.
Start with official IB materials
IB past papers, markbands, and subject guides define what examiners reward. Download from official channels your school provides. Markbands are holistic — practice reading descriptor language before you chase point marks.
Free structured courses on MarkScheme
MarkScheme hosts free IB Diploma courses — topic-by-topic lessons with flashcards and syllabus-point practice, not static PDF dumps:
- Core: TOK, Extended Essay, CAS
- Sciences, humanities, maths, languages, arts — HL and SL where offered
Catalog overview: free IB courses guide. Hub: /ib/courses.
Marking your own IB answers
For Cambridge best Cambridge and IB revision tools, self-marking IB essays and structured responses is hard because best-fit markbands feel subjective. Workflow:
- Draft under timed conditions.
- Read the markband column for your subject paper.
- Highlight where your answer matches (or misses) descriptor language.
- Use MarkScheme for a second pass on uploaded handwriting where supported.
Deeper read: IB markbands explained, IB past papers guide.
Other IB tools students use
MarkScheme is the main free option that combines courses + marking across subjects, not only maths.
| Resource | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Official IB past papers | Exam format & markbands | Free (via school) |
| MarkScheme | Free courses + criterion practice marking | Free tier |
| Revision Village | IB Maths AA/AI question banks & videos | Freemium / paid |
| Kognity / school platforms | Textbook-style content | Often school-licensed |
| r/IBO | Peer advice (verify against syllabus) | Free |
Cambridge students crossing over
If you take both systems or are choosing, see [IB vs A-Level](/blog/ib-vs-a-level) and the combined tools guide: [best online tools for Cambridge & IB](/blog/best-online-tools-cambridge-ib-marking-courses-2026).
Frequently asked questions
This section covers Frequently asked questions — ranked by what Cambridge examiners return to most often in past papers.
Is Revision Village enough on its own?
Strong for IB Maths practice, but it does not replace markband literacy on Papers 2/3, TOK, EE, or humanities essays — and it does not mark your handwritten scripts against criteria.
Where are free IB notes?
School notes, teacher slides, and community summaries vary by subject. MarkScheme courses are syllabus-structured; for quick summaries some students use general note sites — always verify against the current subject guide.
Can I mark IB past papers online for free?
Yes — use official markbands for self-marking, then MarkScheme's free tier for a second pass on uploaded answers where your subject is supported.