Free resourceEvidence based

Active recall: the method your brain was made for

Most students revise by reading and highlighting. It feels productive. The science says it barely works. Active recall is the single most powerful switch you can make — and it takes five minutes to start.

The research
3× more effective
A landmark study by Roediger and Karpicke (2006) found that students who tested themselves on material retained three times more than students who re-read the same material. This finding has been replicated dozens of times. Testing yourself is not just a way to measure learning — it is how learning happens.
How to do it — starting today
1
Close your notes. After reading a topic, close everything and write down everything you can remember. Do not look back until you have tried.
2
Use flashcards properly. Write a question on one side, the answer on the other. Quiz yourself — do not just read through them. Anki (free app) automates this brilliantly.
3
Teach it back. Explain a topic out loud as if teaching it to someone who knows nothing. Where you stumble is exactly what you need to review.
4
Past paper questions. The best form of active recall for exams. Do them under timed conditions without notes. Check the mark scheme after — not during.

Sources: Roediger & Karpicke (2006), Psychological Science. Dunlosky et al. (2013), Psychological Science in the Public Interest — ranked active recall (retrieval practice) as the highest utility learning strategy of all techniques reviewed.

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Free resourceEvidence based

Spaced repetition: review smarter, not more

You could revise Biology for 10 hours in one day and forget most of it by next week. Or you could revise it for 2 hours across 5 sessions and remember it for years. That is what spaced repetition does — and it is the method every medical student relies on.

The research
200% better recall
Hermann Ebbinghaus first described the "forgetting curve" in 1885 — we forget roughly 70% of new information within 24 hours without review. Spaced repetition directly counters this by scheduling reviews at the exact moment you are about to forget. Modern research confirms it produces dramatically better long-term retention than massed practice (cramming).
How to apply it immediately
1
Review after 1 day. Whatever you studied today, briefly review it tomorrow. This takes 10 minutes and dramatically slows the forgetting curve.
2
Then review after 1 week. A second review a week later cements the material in medium-term memory. Again, brief — 15 minutes is enough.
3
Then after 1 month. A third review a month later moves information into long-term memory. By this point you need very little time per topic.
4
Use Anki (free). Anki is a free app that schedules all of this automatically. You rate how well you remembered something and it tells you exactly when to review it next. Used by virtually every medical student worldwide.

Sources: Ebbinghaus (1885), Über das Gedächtnis. Cepeda et al. (2006), Psychological Bulletin — comprehensive meta-analysis confirming spaced practice superiority over massed practice across all age groups and subject domains.

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Free resourceEvidence based

Exam technique: what the mark scheme actually wants

Two students can know exactly the same content and get completely different grades. The difference is exam technique. Understanding what examiners look for, how to structure your answers, and how to manage time under pressure are all learnable skills — and most students are never taught them.

The reality
Up to 20% of marks
Analysis of GCSE and A-level mark schemes consistently shows that a significant proportion of marks are available for presentation, structure, and method — not just the correct answer. Students who understand mark scheme language and examiner expectations pick up these marks routinely. Students who do not leave them on the table every time.
What to learn and practise
1
Read the mark scheme before you revise. Download your exam board's mark scheme for past papers. Read what they credit. You will immediately see what language and structure they reward.
2
Learn command words. "Evaluate", "analyse", "describe", "explain" all mean different things and require different answer structures. Knowing the difference is worth marks in every subject.
3
Time yourself strictly. In an exam you have a fixed number of minutes per mark. Practise allocating time before you start and moving on when time is up — even if your answer feels incomplete.
4
Mark your own work. After completing a past paper, mark it using the official mark scheme. Be strict. This is the most honest feedback you can get.

Sources: Ofqual Chief Examiners' reports (2019, 2022, 2023) consistently identify "lack of exam technique" as a leading cause of underperformance across subjects. AQA and Edexcel examiner feedback reports available at their respective websites.

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Free resourceEvidence based

Study mindset: the foundation everything else rests on

You can know every study method in the world and still not use them consistently if your mindset is working against you. Exam anxiety, self-doubt, procrastination and burnout are not character flaws — they are patterns that can be understood and changed.

The research
Growth mindset students outperform
Carol Dweck's decades of research at Stanford University established that students who believe their abilities can be developed through effort (growth mindset) consistently outperform students of equal ability who believe their intelligence is fixed. The belief itself changes behaviour, persistence, and ultimately outcomes.
Practical shifts that make a real difference
1
Reframe struggle. When something feels hard it means your brain is working — that is literally when learning happens. Difficulty is not a sign you cannot do it. It is a sign you are doing it.
2
Study in shorter focused blocks. Research on cognitive load and focus shows that 25 to 45 minute focused sessions with breaks (Pomodoro technique) outperform long unfocused sessions. Your attention is a resource — manage it deliberately.
3
Track small wins. Progress that you can see builds motivation. Log what you complete daily — even small amounts. Momentum compounds over weeks.
4
Sleep is not optional. Memory consolidation happens during sleep. Pulling all-nighters before exams damages the very thing you are trying to demonstrate. 7 to 9 hours of sleep during revision is evidence-based strategy, not laziness.

Sources: Dweck, C.S. (2006), Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Cirelli & Tononi (2008), Neuron — on the role of sleep in memory consolidation. Cirillo (2006), The Pomodoro Technique — on focused work intervals.

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NHS doctor and founder of Apexio

You don't need
a tutor. You need
the right skills.

I've watched students spend thousands on tutors and still struggle — not because they aren't capable, but because nobody ever taught them how to actually study. That changes here.

"I became a doctor. Not because I was the smartest person in the room — but because I learned how to learn. These are the skills I wish someone had handed me at 14. Now I'm handing them to you."

S.B. — NHS doctor and founder of Apexio
SB
Your study skills tracker
Building habits that stay with you for life
Active recallWeek 3 of 8
Spaced repetitionWeek 2 of 8
Exam techniqueWeek 4 of 8
Self-directed studyWeek 1 of 8
£0 spent on tutors — these skills are yours to keep forever.
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Answer 7 questions about your personality, interests, and the life you want. Get your career direction and the exact study skills that will help you get there.

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My story

I was that student.
Now I am that doctor.

Most students are never taught how to study. They are handed content and expected to figure out the rest. I know this firsthand — I was home educated, which meant I had to build my own systems from scratch. No teacher walking me through revision technique. Just trial, error, and eventually finding what actually works.

Medicine came later. So did years of tutoring students through medical school. What became clear quickly was this: the students who got the best grades were not the most naturally gifted. They just had better methods. The same methods are teachable. That is what this is.

I built Apexio because I genuinely believe education changes everything — and because the skills that got me here should not be locked behind expensive tutors.

🩺
NHS doctor and founder of Apexio
🏠
Home educated — learned to study without a school or a tutor
📚
Years of tutoring through medical school — saw exactly what works
💡
Built this because education changes everything — and everyone deserves access
"

A tutor gives you answers for this week's test. What I want to give you is the ability to walk into any exam — in any subject, at any level — and back yourself completely.

S.B. — NHS doctor and founder of Apexio
Follow the journey
@apexio.study @apexio.study

Study tips, behind the scenes, and the methods that actually work — posted regularly.

Free resources — because access matters

Some of what I have built is completely free. Evidence-based study guides, career quiz, and a bursary form for students who need support accessing paid resources.

See free resources
What tutors don't teach

The four things that
actually change grades

Click each one to read the full evidence-based guide — completely free.

🧠
Active recall Free guide
Most students revise by re-reading notes. It feels productive. The science shows it barely works. Active recall is the single most powerful switch you can make — and it takes five minutes to start.
🔄
Spaced repetition Free guide
Reviewing material at the right intervals moves it into long-term memory. This is the method every medical student relies on. I give you a simple system to implement it immediately.
🎯
Exam technique Free guide
Two students with identical knowledge can get completely different grades. Understanding what examiners actually reward — and structuring your answers accordingly — is a skill almost nobody teaches explicitly.
💪
Study mindset Free guide
Confidence, consistency, and resilience under pressure are not fixed traits — they are built through the right habits and understanding. The research on this is clear. I teach it explicitly because without it the methods fall flat.
The full method

Six skills. A lifetime of results.

Not tips — skills. The ones that work at GCSE, A-level, university, and every time you need to learn something new for the rest of your life.

01
Active recall
Testing yourself is three times more effective than re-reading. I show you exactly how to build this into every revision session until it becomes second nature.
3× retention vs re-reading
02
Spaced repetition
Reviewing material at the right intervals moves it into long-term memory. I give you templates that do the scheduling automatically so you never have to think about timing.
Used by every medical student
03
Deliberate practice
The difference between five hours of passive studying and one hour that actually moves the needle is focus and intent. I teach you how to identify and drill your weakest areas.
Quality over quantity always
04
Exam technique
Most marks are lost not from lack of knowledge but poor technique. How you write an answer, read a question, and manage time are all learnable — and I teach them explicitly.
Immediate mark improvements
05
Study mindset
Confidence, consistency, and resilience under pressure are not fixed traits. They are built. I weave mindset work through everything because without it even the best methods fall flat.
The foundation everything rests on
06
Self-directed learning
The ability to plan, execute, and adjust your own learning without someone telling you what to do. This is the skill. The one that carries you through everything that comes after school.
Stays with you for life
My resources

Everything I've made for you.

Download once, use forever. Including free resources below.

Free guide 🧠
Active recall — the full evidence-based guide
Why re-reading barely works and what to do instead. Backed by research, explained simply, with a step-by-step plan to start today. No sign up, no payment.
Free guide 🔄
Spaced repetition — the method every medical student uses
How reviewing at the right intervals moves information into long-term memory. The science of forgetting — and how to beat it. Free, full guide.
Free guide 🎯
Exam technique — what the mark scheme actually wants
Two students, identical knowledge, different grades. The difference is technique. How to read mark schemes, structure answers, and manage time.
Free guide 💪
Study mindset — the foundation everything else rests on
Exam anxiety, self-doubt, and burnout are patterns that can be changed. Evidence-based, practical, and completely free.
Most loved 📊
The Ultimate Study Dashboard
Track every subject, revision session, and mock score. See where you are strong and where one more focused hour will shift everything. The same system that has helped students move from Cs to A stars.
NotionGoogle SheetsAll levels
Foundation 🧠
The A Star Study Method Guide
The science behind how memory works — taught practically and step by step. Active recall, spaced repetition, and deliberate practice with implementation plans you can start today.
PDF guideGCSE + A-Level
Planner 📅
12-Week GCSE Revision Planner
A complete, fillable revision schedule with subject slots, exam countdown, and daily targets. Structured enough to follow, flexible enough to make it yours.
PDFGCSE
Technique 🎯
Exam Technique Workbook
How to read mark schemes, structure answers, pick up every available mark, and manage time under pressure. Works across all subjects. Often the fastest route to a better grade.
WorkbookAll subjects
Careers 💼
Work Experience Application Kit
Email templates, cover letters, and follow-up scripts for medicine, law, finance, and more. Written by someone who has been through the application process themselves.
TemplatesYear 10 to 13
Medicine 🏥
Medical School Application Bundle
Personal statement guidance, UCAT prep framework, MMI question bank, and interview frameworks. Created by a doctor who went through every stage of this process.
Multi-formatYear 12 to 13
Productivity
The Student Productivity OS
A complete Notion system — study schedule, goal tracker, habit builder, note templates, and weekly review all in one. Build a system that runs your revision, not just a planner.
NotionAll levels
Parents 👨‍👩‍👧
The Parent's Guide to Supporting Your Child
How to support without creating pressure. What to say and what not to say. Practical, evidence-based, written by a doctor who has seen both sides of the exam table.
PDF guideGCSE + A-Level
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Study tips on TikTok and Instagram

The methods, the mindset, and the honest truth about what it takes — posted regularly at @apexio.study on both platforms.

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Work with me

Sometimes you need
a real conversation.

Our coaching calls are with practising NHS doctors from a range of backgrounds and specialities — male and female, different journeys, different stories. Whoever you are and wherever you are headed, there is a doctor on our team who has been there.

Study strategy
1:1 Study Strategy Session
A focused 45-minute session to build your personalised study plan — based on your subjects, your timeline, and where you are currently struggling.
  • Subject-by-subject revision strategy
  • Method recommendations for your learning style
  • Study Dashboard walkthrough together
  • Written action plan sent after the call
£75 / 45 min
Book now
About our doctors. All coaching calls are with practising NHS doctors. Our team includes doctors from different specialities, different backgrounds, and different journeys through education. Some went to state schools, some were home educated, some came from families where medicine was not on the radar at all. Whoever you are, there is someone on our team who understands your starting point.
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Your path
Pathway

Your recommended study methods — click each to read the full free guide
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Best value

The Apexio Study Bundle

Every paid resource in one package, at a reduced price.

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Individually worth £133
Study Dashboard A Star Method Guide Revision Planner Exam Technique Workbook Work Experience Kit Medical School Bundle Productivity OS Parent's Guide
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Bursary

Resources should be
accessible to everyone.

I believe education changes everything — and that access to the right tools should not depend on what your parents earn. If finances are a genuine barrier, fill in the form and I will get back to you.

This is not a box-ticking exercise. I read every form personally. If I can help, I will.

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Questions

Things people
often ask

Why study skills instead of a tutor? +
A tutor solves this week's problem. Study skills solve every problem — in every subject, at every level, for the rest of your academic life and beyond. My goal is students who do not need me anymore. Who can sit down, plan their revision, execute it, and back themselves completely.
What format are the resources and how do I receive them? +
Everything is an instant download — PDFs, Notion templates, or Google Sheets files. After purchasing you get immediate access, no account needed. You can use them on any device.
Are these suitable for both GCSE and A-level? +
Yes — the Study Dashboard, A Star Method Guide, and Exam Technique Workbook all work at both levels. The revision planner is GCSE-focused for now. Subject-specific resources are clearly labelled.
Can parents buy these on behalf of their child? +
Absolutely. Many of the people who buy from me are parents. The resources are written to be used independently by students, but coaching calls can involve the parent, the student, or both.
Do you work with home-educated students? +
Yes — this is very close to my heart. I was home educated myself. All resources work brilliantly for home-educated students who need structure and proven methods without a school setting. I also have a sister platform, Homegrown Minds, built specifically for home-educating families of all ages.
What is your refund policy? +
Due to the instant digital nature of these products, all sales are final. Please read each product description carefully before purchasing. If you have a question about whether a product is right for you, reach out before buying and I am happy to help.
I cannot afford the resources. Is there any support available? +
Yes. I have a bursary form on this page — scroll to the "Resources should be accessible to everyone" section and fill it in. I read every request personally and will help where I can. The four study guides are also completely free with no sign up required.
You have got this — I genuinely believe that

The A star was always
in you.

You just needed someone to show you how to bring it out. Start with the free career quiz — 2 minutes, and you will know exactly where to begin.

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