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Corbett Maths Review: Is It Good for Revision?

Corbett Maths Review: Is It Good for Revision?

If you’re getting started with GCSE Maths revision, chances are you’ve come across Corbett Maths.

With its innovative approach to learning and a wealth of resources at your fingertips, Corbett Maths helps students explore mathematical concepts in a dynamic and engaging way.

But with so many options available, it’s natural to wonder: Is Corbett Maths good for revision? 

In this in-depth review, we’ll take a closer look at Corbett Maths and its offerings, examining

its strengths, limitations and how helpful it is for different stages and abilities. So whether you’re a GCSE or A Level student gearing up for exams, or just searching for that extra bit of support, discover how Corbett Maths can help you tackle Maths with confidence.

What is Corbett Maths?

Corbett Maths is a revision website mainly targeted at GCSE Maths students. What sets it apart from other online resources, is the emphasis on understanding mathematical concepts rather than memorisation. It offers a vast array of free resources, including video tutorials, practice questions, past papers and the famed Corbett “5-a-day”.

As well as free resources, Corbett Maths offers revision cards and 5-a-day books to buy. There are also materials for students studying the advanced Level 2 Further Maths.

Corbett Maths aims to help students grasp mathematical concepts with clarity and confidence, no matter their level or ability. There’s even a sister site, Corbett Maths Primary, helping younger learners start their maths journey with age-appropriate resources and support.

So whether you’re struggling with fractions or tackling trigonometry, Corbett Maths is your go-to destination for maths mastery…

Is Corbettmaths free?

The beauty of Corbettmaths lies in its accessibility. The majority of resources on the platform are completely free, helping students dive into a world of mathematical exploration without breaking the bank.

From engaging video tutorials to challenging practice papers, Corbettmaths offers a treasure trove of educational content at no cost at all.

However, for those looking to take their learning to the next level, Corbettmaths also offers premium physical materials such as revision cards and workbooks. A pack of 93 revision cards will set you back £10.99, including a video tutorial and practice questions. For a 5-a-day book covering the entire year, expect to pay around £15.99.

These resources, while not essential, provide additional support and reinforcement for students seeking a more hands-on approach to learning. But whether you’re on a tight budget or able to invest a little extra, Corbett Maths has you covered.

Who is behind Corbett Maths?

At the heart of CorbettMaths is its founder, John Corbett, a passionate educator with a knack for making maths accessible.

With over 13 years of experience in the classroom, John’s journey from posting “real-life” maths photos to creating free video tutorials has helped countless students excel in their maths exams. His commitment to helping students learn, combined with his innovative approach to teaching, has earned him a reputation as a trailblazer in online maths revision.

Supported by a team of talented educators and developers, John continues to lead Corbett Maths on its mission to empower learners worldwide with the tools they need to succeed.

What is the Corbettmaths “5-a-day” challenge?

The Corbettmaths “5-a-day” challenge is simple. It’s five mathematical problems to solve (with accompanying answers to check your work), for every day of the year.

Corbettmaths provides various “5-a-day” series for different skill levels and GCSE exams. This includes:

  • Numeracy: For students targeting Grades 1, 2 and 3.
  • Foundation: For students aiming for Grades 3 and 4.
  • Foundation Plus: For students aiming for Grades 4, 5 and 6.
  • Higher: For students targeting Grades 6 and 7.
  • Higher Plus: For students targeting Grades 8 and 9.
  • Further Maths: For students taking this advanced GCSE.

There’s also a Primary 5-a-day (featuring Key Stage 2 questions in increasing difficulty), available on the Corbettmaths Primary website.

The benefits of this 5-a-day challenge extend beyond skill development. By encouraging daily practice and consistency, it instils valuable habits that are essential for Maths success.

So whether you’re preparing for a test or simply looking to sharpen your skills, the “5 a Day” challenge is a great way to start.

Is Corbettmaths “5-a-day” good?

In a word, yes!

Students praise the Corbettmaths 5-a-day challenge for its effectiveness and accessibility. With a structured yet flexible approach to learning, the daily challenge ensures students regularly engage with mathematical concepts in a meaningful way.

The daily variety keeps learning engaging and also ensures comprehensive coverage of key topics. Plus, with the option to choose from different difficulty levels (ranging from basic numeracy to higher tiers and Further Maths), students of all abilities can participate and progress at their own pace.

Perhaps the greatest strength of the 5-a-day challenge lies in its ability to foster consistency and discipline in students’ study habits. By committing to just five problems a day, students develop a daily routine that promotes long-term retention and mastery of mathematical skills.

However, it’s important to note that while the 5-a-day challenge is an excellent resource for regular practice, it doesn’t fully replace traditional classroom work or tailored one-on-one support. Think of it as a helpful “add-on” rather than your main revision.

Is Corbettmaths good for GCSE?

Absolutely! Corbett Maths is a powerhouse of resources for GCSE students, offering everything from video tutorials to practice papers and revision cards to help you ace your exams.

The website targets GCSE students, so you know the resources are just what you need in the run-up to exams. There’s a particularly helpful GCSE Maths revision section, including “100 Days to Go” (with tailored exercises in the lead-up to exams) as well as revision checklists and exam-board-specific past papers. You’ll find tailored advice for Edexcel, OCR, AQA and CCEA.

To deepen your understanding, one standout feature of Corbett Maths is its conundrums – challenging maths puzzles that test your problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities. These conundrums, while sometimes outside the scope of the national curriculum, provide an excellent opportunity to stretch your mathematical muscles and think outside the box.

It’s worth noting that while Corbett Maths covers a wide range of GCSE topics, there are occasionally limitations in terms of depth and specificity. Many of the videos are over ten years old now, but this doesn’t mean they aren’t useful.

While the platform offers many valuable resources, such as class quizzes, the 5-a-day challenge, past papers and revision cards – they’re supplementary to classroom learning, specialised textbooks and 1-1 support.

Don’t miss our blogs comparing GCSE Maths exam boards and the GCSE Maths syllabus for more insights and tips for success.

Is Corbettmaths good for A Level?

Yes and no.

Corbettmaths is designed with GCSE students in mind. This means it won’t always be useful for A Level study.

But it can be helpful when building your foundational skills. Maths A Level builds on GCSE content, so if you’re feeling shaky in particular topics, Corbett Maths can help. There’s also significant cross-over between GCSE Further Maths and A Level Maths. So it’s worthwhile reading through the Further Maths content list, for useful exercises, videos and practice questions.

Whether it’s GCSE or A Level, Corbett Maths’ emphasis on problem-solving skills, with a focus on real-world applications and practical examples is enormously helpful. This approach not only helps students understand the material but also prepares them for success in higher education and beyond.

How many hours should I revise for Maths?

The amount of time you should dedicate to maths revision depends on various factors, including your current level of understanding, the complexity of the material, how close exams are, and your learning style.

But let’s say you’re a month away from exams and revising for two hours after school. You might build to four to six hours on the weekend.

So this gives about twenty hours a week…

Of course, Maths isn’t your only subject. So you’ll want to split time between each of your upcoming exams. If you’re taking 8 GCSEs (for example), that’s 2.5 hours a week, each. You’ll naturally need less time on some subjects and more on others, depending on how difficult you find the content. Ultimately, only you can know this balance.

But as a rule of thumb, 30 minutes to an hour a day (perhaps every few days, to split time between your subjects) should give enough time for Maths GCSE preparation. Remember, it’s all about quality, not quantity when it comes to revision.

So rather than simply clocking in hours, focus on engaging with the material actively, whether through problem-solving, practice questions, 5-a-day, or concept reviews. Manage your time with an effective revision plan (using “time-blocking” techniques) and take regular breaks to avoid burnout and maintain your focus.

Ultimately, the key to successful maths revision lies in consistency, dedication and a strategic approach to learning. For help with study skills and exam strategies as well as academic life coaching, reach out to our expert team at Academic Coaching today. Whatever your goals, we’ll help you supercharge your studies and ace your exams.