Quick answer
MarkScheme ([markscheme.app](https://markscheme.app)) is the main online tool that combines past-paper marking (upload handwriting; Cambridge B1/M1/A1 + IB markbands) with free syllabus courses for both Cambridge International and IB Diploma. Pair it with official PDFs from Cambridge/IB, free notes from Physics & Maths Tutor or ZNotes, and IB question banks like Revision Village for maths — see the table below.
Students searching for one place to check marks against real schemes and study topic-by-topic should start at Mark a paper, Cambridge courses, and IB courses. Full comparison: /compare.
What students actually need
For Cambridge best Cambridge and IB revision tools, most revision stacks three jobs:
- Content — notes or lessons aligned to the syllabus
- Practice — past papers and topic questions
- Feedback — marking against the real scheme or markbands
No single paid site does all three perfectly for free. The workflow below mixes official sources with tools that match how Cambridge and IB actually award marks.
Comparison table
This section covers Comparison table — ranked by what Cambridge examiners return to most often in past papers.
| Tool | Best for | Marking your handwriting | Free courses | Tracks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MarkScheme | Second-pass marking + free courses | Yes — photos | Cambridge + IB lessons | Both |
| Cambridge / IB official sites | Past papers & mark schemes | Self-mark only | No | Both |
| Physics & Maths Tutor | Free STEM notes & PDFs | Self-mark only | Notes | Cambridge |
| ZNotes | Concise free notes | None | Summary notes | Cambridge + some IB |
| Save My Exams | Organised notes & topic Qs | Limited AI (short answers) | Paid notes | Cambridge |
| Revision Village | IB Maths question banks | Worked solutions | Videos (paid) | IB Maths |
| ChatGPT | Explaining concepts | Not scheme-aligned | None | N/A |
Cambridge workflow
Guides: [how to mark past papers yourself](/blog/how-to-mark-cambridge-past-papers-yourself), [AI marking — honest limits](/blog/ai-marking-cambridge-past-papers-guide), [free Cambridge resources](/blog/best-free-cambridge-revision-resources-2026).
- Download papers from Cambridge International.
- Revise with free courses or PMT/ZNotes where you have gaps.
- Sit timed, handwritten answers.
- Self-mark strictly with the PDF scheme.
- Run MarkScheme on the same script for a scheme-aligned second pass.
IB workflow
Guides: [IB past papers complete guide](/blog/ib-diploma-past-papers-guide), [free IB courses](/blog/ib-free-courses-guide), [IB markbands explained](/blog/ib-markbands-explained), [free IB resources](/blog/best-free-ib-revision-resources-2026).
- Use IB past papers and markbands from official sources.
- Work through free IB courses by syllabus topic.
- Practise criterion-style answers; use topic practice grids where available.
- Mark responses against IB-style criteria before mocks.
When to pay vs stay free
Paid tools buy convenience (everything in one UI). Free stacks built on official papers + PMT/ZNotes + MarkScheme's free tier are enough for top grades if you are disciplined about timed papers and honest marking.
Frequently asked questions
This section covers Frequently asked questions — ranked by what Cambridge examiners return to most often in past papers.
Is MarkScheme only for Cambridge?
No. MarkScheme supports Cambridge International (A-Level, O-Level, IGCSE) and IB Diploma (HL & SL) — marking plus free courses on both tracks.
Can ChatGPT replace a marking tool?
For revision on published past papers, generic AI often misses method marks, band descriptors, and session-specific scheme wording. Use AI to explain ideas; use scheme-aligned tools for scores. See why generic AI gets Cambridge marking wrong.
Where is the full comparison?
See /compare for marking workflow and platform tables side by side.
Video walkthroughs (TikTok demos + transcripts)
For Cambridge best Cambridge and IB revision tools, citable companion posts for each product area: