Whether it’s recalling Pythagoras’ theorem, working out what N is, or dividing something with pi,
there’s nothing quite as daunting as a big maths test there’s only one thing more daunting than a big maths test…
…preparing for a big maths test.
A textbook full of maths revision can quickly resemble an overwhelming labyrinth of numbers, letters, shapes, plus/minus/division/multiplication signs, and then some other symbols that look like Egyptian hieroglyphics.
In this day and age, there are much more entertaining and accessible alternatives.
Whether you’re looking to improve your grades, study for a specific exam, or just actually take pleasure in studying maths, there’s something for every student in this jumbo-list.
There isn’t a maths teacher out there who isn’t fully aware of just how interesting and creative the subject can be. The only problem is helping their students to see it the same way.
With Desmos, it’s a little easier nowadays.
Desmos is a graphing tool that can be used to collate data, analyse shapes, and amazingly, even create art!
There’s hardly a better way to open your eyes to the magnificent way in which maths permeates the world around us.
2. STEM Village
STEM village is unique in that it both does the business in the short term as well as build for the future.
Not only will the information on the website help you prepare for your school exams (in a well-illustrated, understandable way), you can also learn skills that you’ll use in the world of work.
We’ve all heard teachers say ‘school prepares you for the real world’, but you never realise how true that is until you see definitive evidence that you could be using the exact same skills as a professional engineer, some day.
IXL is remarkable purely on account of the sheer size of the thing!
On the website you can find revision materials on just about any topic you might need, right from your first day at school through to the very last.
The website is easy to use, and does a great job of chunking information into various categories, which really helps spread out the workload.
As well as being a very fun word to say, Schmoop is a resource worth checking out for every student chasing grades.
As well as being choc-full of study materials and worksheets, it also caters for visual learners with a goldmine of well-produced, highly informative videos.
ShowMe takes a leaf from the books of the previous websites, then adds a bit of community spirit.
As an ever-growing community of both students and teachers from all over the world, ShowMe is a great place to share the revision-load ahead of the big exams.
Different students respond to different teachers, so if you’re struggling to get your head around something at school and the workbooks aren’t helping, have a scout around ShowMe. You’re sure to find an instructor who breaks it down just the way you need.
6. Adapted Mind
A lot of teachers treat video games like the enemy. The very antithesis of education.
Adapted Mind employs a team of game designers to produce education computer games that aim to entertain and build maths knowledge.
7. Virtual Nerd
Contrary to popular belief and what you might have read in the Beano, most students actually like school.
It’s a place where you can learn through interaction, and do fun and interesting things you would never have the opportunity to otherwise (where else could you slap on some goggles and fire up a Bunsen burner?!).
However, studying at home is a whole different kettle of fish. Gone is the social interaction, gone is the human touch, and gone is the teacher – your guide.
If any of this rings any bells, then Virtual Nerd is just what you’re after.
Virtual nerd is a library of recorded lessons on everything you’ll find in your exam curriculum, and is the perfect resource who have a Jekyll and Hyde approach to working at school and studying at home.
8. Study Jams
If you’re one of those people who prefers listening to music to studying, there may well be a psychological reason: you’re a musical learner.
Musical learners have an extra intuition when it comes to all things melodic, and can actually learn subjects like maths through music.
With this in mind, Study Jams is packed full of recordings and karaoke sessions to help students pass their exams.
9. Art of Problem Solving
On first glance the Art of Problem Solving might look like a list of (relatively pricy) online courses, but a trip to their resource bank reveals a secret wealth of instructional videos, study games and other useful materials.
The Art of Problem Solving is concerned with helping students reach the very top of their potential and leaves no stone unturned when it comes to just how much you can learn on there.
10. Patrick Just Math Tutorials
A few years ago a teacher named Patrick decided that he would try to help the world improve their maths, and that he’d do it all by means of YouTube.
Fast forward to the current day, Patrick Just Math Tutorials have been shared worldwide and countless students have boosted their grades.
Perhaps it’s because the medium has struck a chord with the YouTube generation, or perhaps Patrick just really knows how to communicate new information, but his website is the first bookmark in web-browsers across the planet.
As well as having a more-than-modest range of well designed, educational games, Arcademics also has lots of multiplayer options.
It’s the perfect excuse to arrange a study group with your friends, and share the workload (not that you’ll even feel like you’re working).
12. Paul’s Online Math Notes
Using games, songs, films and worksheets to boost your maths skills is always good, productive fun, but sometimes you need nothing more than a good old cheat sheet.
That’s precisely what you can find on Paul’s Online Math Notes. Dozens of them, on pretty much everything you might need a cheat sheet on.
Oh, and just because it’s called a ‘cheat’ sheet doesn’t mean that you should actually cheat. These documents are to boost your memory, not smuggle into exams!
13. Math Pickle
Puzzles are back, with a vengeance! You may not see as many people spending an evening with a jigsaw, but digital puzzles and brain training games are here to stay.
So, you like puzzles and you need to improve your maths. Step forward, Math Pickle.
The puzzles on the website are beautifully designed, and rewarding to complete for students of all ages.
14. Hooda Math
If you’re looking for a much wider range of multimedia and educational fun, Hooda Math is sure to have what you’re after.
Unlike some of the other games-websites, Hooda Math not only categories by mathematical subject, but also by type of game. That way, you can choose your favourite, then practice trigonometry, arithmetic and, well, you name it!
15. GCSE Math Revision Resources
The GCSE Math Revision Resources maths resource bank is essential for any student who might describe themselves as a perfectionist.
Whilst their lessons may not be as bright and showy as some of the other resources, they go into great detail in a succinct, understandable way.
16. Education World
Whilst Education World offers much the same as our other resources – worksheets, games, etc. – they’re all of high quality and great educational value.
If you’ve tried some of the other websites but not quite found what you’re looking for, give Education World a try.
It’s also worth drawing attention to their five-minute lessons, which are great for jogging your memory before a big test.
CliffsNotes has been a staple of the educational world for sixty years and has helped more students than most people have had hot dinners.
Their reputation as the ultimate go-to-guide for any student in need of a helping hand is well-deserved. Their notes are absolutely on point.
Despite finding their feet in 1958, CliffsNotes hasn’t let the digital age make them obsolete. In fact, the CliffsNotes’ website is full of the same academic help that has kept customers returning for half a century.
18. Reddit – data is beautiful
A big problem with maths as a school subject is that it can sometimes seem so arbitrary from our day to day life. It’s hard to see how it all fits together.
The reality, though, is that maths truly is all around us, and that’s something the users at Data is Beautiful revel in.
ClassZone is where schoolwork meets homework, as you’re able to find a host of materials to supplement the work that you do at home.
Although initially created for US students, it now features materials for maths books all around the world.
ClassZone gives every student the opportunity to go the extra mile.
20. Math Warehouse
By means of gifs and animated exercises, Math Warehouse is a no frills, no nonsense tool to supercharge your grades.
You can also use the website to make your own charts, which is perfect for school projects and analysing your own data.
If you find yourself needing to get straight down to business, this is the warehouse for you.
21. Dave’s Short Trig Course
Trigonometry is tricky, there’s no doubt about it – who would have thought that a triangle could be so complicated?
The beauty of Dave’s Short Trig Course is in the title – it’s concise, straightforward and keeps things nice and simple.
Whereas other revision websites spread their attention across numerous mathematical disciplines, Dave’s Trig course is able to focus all of its attention on Trigonometry.
22. Online Trigonometry Calculator
If you’re struggling to calculate the lengths of the sides of a triangle, and no matter how hard you try, the elusive ‘N’ seems impossible to work out, it’s time to employ some outside help.
Whilst you should only use it as a last resort, the Online Trigonometry Calculator will give you the answer, so you can work backwards and see where you went wrong.
Being able to summon the correct answer using just the internet gives you total control over your own studies.
23. Free Math Help
Free Math Help does exactly what it says on the tin, and whilst its web-design is a bit 2005, its content is definitely on point.
Check out the ‘Calculus’ section, in particular, for tonnes of resources for an often disregarded area of maths.
24. Statistics 101
The gathering of statistics for research is one of the most important uses of mathematics in modern day society.
When it comes to actually studying statistics, though, it’s not difficult to feel as though you’re drowning in a sea of random data.
That’s why Statistics 101 is so valuable – it’s a video course, all accessible on YouTube. Sit back and relax as creator Brandon Foltz guides you through a world of graphs, x/y axes and correlations.
Whereas the subject of statistics is relevant for GCSE students and above, the world of arithmetic is very much the territory of younger students.
Every adult knows how much they use arithmetic in their day to day lives, so it’s imperative that children find their feet in the subject early on.
On MathABC you’ll find an array of well-presented and usefully organised activities, to ensure young learners stay on top of their game.
26. Arithmetic Game
What the Arithmetic Game lacks in beauty, it certainly makes up for in fun.
The premise is so simple that you won’t believe it’s so entertaining: you choose the area of arithmetic that you want to practice, then try to get as many correct answers in two minutes.
It’s hard not to be sucked into trying to beat the clock, all the while learning by rote.
The Arithmetic Game is perfect if there’s one area of arithmetic (say, division) that you need just a little more – focussed – practice with.
27. History of Maths
The use of maths dates back to prehistoric times, and as the discipline has advanced so has the human species.
Although the ‘Story of Maths’ may sound like a snore-fest, it’s anything but. As you delve into ancient history and see civilisations rise and fall, you’ll realise that the story of maths could really be described as the story of everything.
Whether you need to know the history for school, or you just want to contextualise the skills you’re learning, every student should know the true story behind maths.
Around spring Easter exams begin to loom on the horizon, and as we enter crunch-time, we have to become a little more economical with our revision.
Corbettmaths can really make the difference, here, as it’s packed with useful exam-related content.
Whether you’re looking for practice questions, entire practice papers or even revision cards, this is the place to start your search.
It’s no profound observation to recognise the dependence we have on smart phones, these days.
We use them to order food, take notes, play games, contact our friends, surf the web – just about everything.
It makes sense, then, to also use them to learn with an app like DragonBox.
Not only are all of the revision games and activities on Dragon Box expertly put together, but there’s something fun and familiar about using your iPhone to study.
30. Greg Tang Math
Greg Tang combined his two interests – teaching maths and developing games – to create an infinitely useful study site.
On Greg Tang Math you can find a toolbox of creative games and informative activities to add a bit of zest to your study sessions.
Illuminations set out with a pretty simple mission statement – to creative engaging and fun interactive activities to help students improve their maths skills.
The results are there to see. There are plenty of games and brain teasers to fire up the mathematical part of your brain, and you can even read user-testimonials on how others used the website to reach their potential.
32. Illustrative Math
Illustrative Math is made by teachers for both teachers and students. As you might expect: it’s incredibly comprehensive.
In their resource section you can find some real gems, especially if you’re studying for your GCSEs.
You don’t need me to tell you that the activities and games on Istation are incredibly sleek and fine-tuned, just look at their website!
With a strong focus on blending technology with learning, their catalogue has a myriad of top notch resources.
As well as having a delightfully goofy pun for a name, Mathletics is a hugely popular learning tool that countless students swear by – and for good reason.
The developers at Mathletics recognise that some students prefer to be architects of their own learning, whereas others prefer a teacher-led approach.
With this in mind, the website has materials for both types of student, ensuring that nobody gets left behind.
No matter how much we study at home or pay attention in class, it always seems like there’s something we missed. A gap in our knowledge.
MobyMax is directly concerned with plugging those gaps.
Recognised with a number of awards, MobyMax has all the resources to make sure you don’t get caught out on exam day.
Remember what we were saying about music being a great way to learn? Step forward Flocabulary.
The activities on the website, which were clearly made by top web designers, and the impressive sound-quality of the songs all come together to create an immersive and exciting learning experience.
If you use Flocabulary for a five minute revision session, don’t be surprised to find yourself still logged in two hours later.
37. Arithmetic Four
Arithmetic Four is a no frills, super-effective tool to boost your mental maths skills.
As well as the basics, this java activity also covers some more complex arithmetic, making a welcome refresher for students of all ages.
38. Beat Calculator
A Beat Calculator is as practically useful as it is fun to just mess around with.
A very simple concept, you simply use your computer keyboard to tap a repetitive beat! It’s the perfect way to turn beats and rhythms (perhaps in songs) into numbers or, in other words, maths!
39. Coolmath Games
So, you’ve made it to number 39 on our list and you probably think you’ve played every online math-game to death.
Whilst Coolmath Games doesn’t offer anything unique per se, the quality of the games that it does offer makes it an unmissable resource. Try it and find out for yourselves.
You know what’s great? Improving your maths skills. You know what’s better? Helping to cure world hunger.
Believe it or not, now you can do both at the same time, thanks to Freerice.
Remarkably, the website donates 10 grains of rice for every answer you get correct. That way, the users of the website are able to improve both themselves and the state of our world.
41. Tes Revision Resources
Tes offers vast resources of comprehensive, quality assured GCSE maths revision support to help students get prepared, it’s hard not to doff your cap to them.
Great for revision, I defy you to find a mathematical problem that Tes can’t help with.
42. Numeracy Ninjas
Numeracy Ninjas is a fun and easy-to-use tool aimed specifically at key stage 3 students.
As you make your way through the lessons, you earn special ‘ninja belts’ that reward your progress, and keep you coming back for more.
Their lessons are simple, straight to the point and effective. If any student masters all of the materials on Numeracy Ninjas, they will be fully-prepared to study for their GCSE exams.
Quizlet is great because it gives you control over your own learning.
Using this powerful online tool, you can create your own flashcards and revision materials as you absorb new information. Not only is it plainly a useful platform, it also feels great to ‘be your own teacher’.
If you’ve only just learned about Quizlet and don’t have the time to create materials, you can search the websites rich database to find previously made quizzes on the subjects you’re studying.
Everybody wants top marks, right? In that case, where better to head than over to… well… Topmarks.
The website is strikingly professional and thorough, and caters for students of all ages and grades. Top Marks is distinguished by the impressive variety of activities and games it offers, and should have something to both titillate and educate every kind of learner.
45. Online Scientific Calculator
There once was a time when students had to use a handed down, grotty scientific calculator that barely even worked.
Thankfully, those problems are a thing of the past, as the internet is bursting with cyber-calculators that can do everything you need (and more).
Although there are plenty of dedicated scientific calculator websites, Google’s own version should suit you down to the ground.
46. Yummy Math
Don’t let the title fool you, this has nothing to do with ice-cream or sweets (sorry!)
The creators of Yummy Math are on a non-culinary mission: to show us that maths is inherent in the real world, and is all around us.
Whether you choose sports, holidays or even movies, a browse of Yummy Math will open your eyes to just how relevant mathematics is to each and every one of us.
Cymath is pretty simple. You put a maths problem in one end, then the solution comes out of the other.
However, it’s far more than just a tool to cheat on your homework with (don’t be tempted! It’ll get you nowhere!).
Cymath goes the extra mile and details exactly how it reached the solution. That way, if you ever find yourself utterly stumped by a question, you can stick it in Cymath to get the answer, then work backwards to see how it’s done.
Used correctly, Cymath is a valuable resource.
48. BBC Maths Online
When you think of the BBC the first things that pop to mind are probably the News and your favourite TV show.
When it comes to education, though, the BBC has so much to say for itself.
As well as its famous Bitesize section, which is aimed at British school children preparing for their big exams, it also has other, more general maths courses that any person would benefit from.
Next time you’re browsing the BBC website, take a peek.
49. Phet Interactive Simulations
It doesn’t take long to realise that a lot of thought and effort has been put into making the interactive simulations at Phet accessible and fascinating.
The website has a number of simulations that take things like projectile motion, or balance and break down the maths.
You may be looking for the answer to a maths-related problem, or you might just be wondering how ladybirds can be relevant to maths. One thing is for sure – time on the Phet website is time well spent.
CueThink aims to go one step further than simply build your maths skills step by step. Instead, it encourages the development of critical thinking skills that are essential to academic success.
The Beatles said they got by with a little help from their friends, and the people at CueThink subscribe to a similar philosophy. The website allows students to upload and compare their answers to mathematical problems, and help each other develop.
If you even just implemented a handful of the above resources into your study routine, there’s no doubt that you’d see an improvement in your maths grades within a matter of weeks.
Variety truly is the spice of life, and the more you add to your exam revision, the more it will stop feeling like work at all. You’ll begin to cherish your education in a way you may have once thought impossible.
Oh, and as you immerse yourselves in all things mathematical, spare a thought for your parents, who had no option but to slave over a dull, dusty textbook.