Quick answer
Save My Exams is strong for organised notes and topic questions (mostly paid). MarkScheme ([markscheme.app](https://markscheme.app)) is built for second-pass marking from handwriting against Cambridge mark schemes and IB markbands, plus free courses on both tracks. They solve different jobs — many students use PMT/ZNotes for notes and MarkScheme for marking. Full table: [/compare](/compare).
What this demo shows
This video answers the question we get daily: "Is MarkScheme just Save My Exams?" It is not. Save My Exams bundles revision content; MarkScheme focuses on whether your handwritten answer earns marks on the real scheme. The demo walks through one past-paper question on each approach.
Watch on TikTok: @markscheme
Comparison at a glance
This section covers Comparison at a glance — ranked by what Cambridge examiners return to most often in past papers.
| Save My Exams | MarkScheme | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Notes, topic Q banks | Marking your handwriting |
| Marking | Limited AI on short answers | B1/M1/A1 + essay bands + IB markbands |
| Courses | Paid notes | Free Cambridge + IB syllabus courses |
| Cost | Freemium / subscription | Free tier for marking |
| Honest limit | Not a full script marker | Not a notes library |
Step-by-step (from the video)
This section covers Step-by-step (from the video) — ranked by what Cambridge examiners return to most often in past papers.
- Notes phase — use Save My Exams, PMT, or ZNotes to learn the topic (MarkScheme does not replace this).
- Attempt — write a timed handwritten answer.
- Self-mark — official PDF mark scheme or IB markband column.
- Second pass — upload the same script to markscheme.app/mark for scheme-aligned feedback.
- Decide — if you only need condensed notes, Save My Exams may be worth it; if you need marking practice, MarkScheme fills the gap.
Transcript
> People keep asking: MarkScheme vs Save My Exams — which one should I use? > > Save My Exams is basically a paid revision library — notes, topic questions, some AI on short answers. It is convenient if you want everything in one place and you are happy to subscribe. > > MarkScheme is different. We are not trying to be another notes site. We mark your handwriting against the real Cambridge mark scheme or IB markbands — B1, M1, A1 for maths, band descriptors for essays, criterion feedback for IB. > > The workflow I recommend: learn the topic from free notes — PMT, ZNotes, or Save My Exams if you pay — then do past papers. Self-mark strictly with the PDF first. Then upload to MarkScheme for a second pass when you are not sure you were honest. > > Save My Exams Smart Mark is useful for quick checks on short questions. MarkScheme is for when you want feedback on your actual script, plus free courses at markscheme.app/courses and IB at markscheme.app/ib/courses. > > Full honest comparison on markscheme.app/compare — link in bio.
Honest limits
Neither tool replaces official past papers and mark schemes from Cambridge or the IBO. Save My Exams depth is behind a paywall for many subjects. MarkScheme does not host the same note library. We are not endorsed by Cambridge International or the IBO. Use [/compare](/compare) before you assume one product replaces the other.
Try it yourself
This section covers Try it yourself — ranked by what Cambridge examiners return to most often in past papers.