Student Questions — StudySouq FAQ

39 questions answered about Edexcel maths practice, AI marking, Mathius, mock exams, skill tracking, pricing, and exam preparation.

About StudySouq

What is StudySouq?
StudySouq is an Edexcel Mathematics platform for A-Level and O-Level students — built around handcrafted questions, a custom marking engine, and skill tracking. AI is part of it, but the platform is engineered properly: instant feedback on your working, lesson notes, mock exams, and a dashboard that shows where you are actually losing marks.
Who is StudySouq designed for?
StudySouq is built exclusively for students studying Edexcel A-Level and O-Level Mathematics. Whether you're just starting the course, doing last-minute revision, or looking to push from a B to an A*, the platform adapts to your level.
Is StudySouq an alternative to a human tutor?
StudySouq gives you everything a one-on-one tutor provides — personalised questions targeting your exact gaps, instant feedback on your working, and clear explanations — available 24/7 at a fraction of the cost. Many students use it alongside school but without a private tutor.
Who built StudySouq?
StudySouq was built by Youssef Wael — an A-Level Maths tutor who spent over a year on it, hours most days — starting with handcrafted questions and mark schemes, then building a marking and skill engine around them. AI handles the parts it can be trusted with; the Edexcel-specific logic is engineered, not guessed.
Is StudySouq affiliated with Edexcel or Pearson?
StudySouq is an independent platform. We are not affiliated with Edexcel or Pearson. All questions, notes, and content are handcrafted to align with the Edexcel specification, but we operate independently.
What makes StudySouq different from revision websites?
Most revision sites deliver content. StudySouq diagnoses you — it marks your actual working, maps your gaps across 100+ skills, and queues practice on what you need. That comes from a custom engine built around Edexcel mark schemes, not a generic AI chatbot with a maths prompt.

Subjects & Content

Which subjects does StudySouq cover?
StudySouq currently covers Edexcel A-Level Mathematics, Edexcel A-Level Further Mathematics, and Edexcel O-Level (IGCSE) Mathematics. All content is built specifically to the Edexcel specification.
Is the content 100% Edexcel-specific?
Yes. Every question, mark scheme, note, and mock exam on StudySouq is crafted for the Edexcel specification. We don't use generic maths content — everything is designed around how Edexcel examiners actually mark.
How many questions are available?
The platform is built on over 10,000 handcrafted questions — and Mathius generates an effectively infinite number of additional questions from those. You'll never run out of practice material on any topic.
Are the questions similar to real past paper questions?
Yes. Our questions are modelled on Edexcel's question style, difficulty levels, and marking conventions. They are not copies of past paper questions, but they're designed to feel identical in structure, language, and demand.
Does StudySouq cover both A-Level and O-Level?
Yes. StudySouq covers both Edexcel A-Level (AS and A2) and O-Level / IGCSE Mathematics. You select your qualification when you pick your subject.
Are the lesson notes included in the free plan?
A selection of lesson notes is available on the free plan. Full access to all lesson notes across every topic is part of the premium plan.
Who wrote the lesson notes?
The lesson notes were written by Youssef Wael — an experienced A-Level Maths tutor — specifically for exam performance. They're not textbook excerpts. They explain what Edexcel tests, how the mark scheme rewards it, and what mistakes to avoid.

Practice & AI Features

How does the AI marking work?
You submit your working — handwritten or typed — and the marking engine evaluates it the way an Edexcel examiner would: method marks (M1), accuracy marks (A1), and independent marks (B1) at each step. You see where you lost marks and why, usually in under 3 seconds. The logic is built on handcrafted mark schemes, not open-ended AI guessing.
Can I submit handwritten working?
Yes. You can photograph or scan your handwritten working and submit it directly. StudySouq's AI reads and marks handwritten maths, so you can work on paper — which most students find more natural for exam preparation.
What is Mathius?
Mathius is StudySouq's practice tutor — it explains concepts and generates questions from the handcrafted question bank, so answers stay grounded in real Edexcel content. It is there when you are stuck, but the marking and skill tracking run on the engine underneath, not on raw AI alone.
How does skill tracking work?
As you practise, StudySouq maps your performance across 100+ individual skill dimensions per subject. Instead of just knowing you're "weak at integration", you'll know exactly which type of integration question costs you marks — and the platform will prioritise those in your next session automatically.
What are mock exams on StudySouq?
Mock exams are full-length Edexcel-style papers generated specifically for you. They're weighted towards your weak areas, so the questions you see are the ones most likely to help your actual grade. You submit your working and receive a full examiner-style mark breakdown.
What is adaptive practice?
Adaptive practice means the questions you're given are automatically chosen based on your current skill map. If you've mastered trigonometric identities but struggle with differentiation by chain rule, you'll get more chain rule questions — not more of what you already know.
Can the AI ever give a wrong mark?
Our marking engine is trained on thousands of handcrafted solutions and is accurate for standard Edexcel question types. In rare cases it may miss a valid alternative method — that is why the system is built on explicit mark schemes rather than trusting AI to improvise. Flag anything that looks wrong and we review it.
Does the AI understand partial credit?
Yes — this is one of the most important things we built. StudySouq's AI awards partial credit the way Edexcel does. Showing the right method earns method marks even if the final answer is wrong. Your working is evaluated step by step, not just at the end.

Exam Preparation

How should I use StudySouq to prepare for exams?
The most effective approach: start with a lesson's notes to build understanding, then practise questions with AI marking until the skill map shows you're solid. In the weeks before your exam, shift to mock exams to build full-paper stamina. Use Mathius for anything you get stuck on.
How often should I practise?
Even 30 minutes of targeted, adaptive practice per day compounds significantly over a course. Because the system focuses every session on your actual weak spots, you're not wasting time — every minute is spent on what will move your grade.
Can StudySouq help with last-minute revision?
Absolutely. Your skill dashboard tells you instantly which topics are your biggest risk areas right now. The night before an exam, you can go directly to targeted practice on those topics — no guessing, no wasted time.
Can StudySouq help me understand my predicted grade?
Yes. Based on your performance across practice questions and mock exams, StudySouq gives you a predicted grade estimate. This is based on real mark data — not a vague indicator, but a projection calibrated to how Edexcel actually grades.
Is StudySouq useful for students at all grade levels?
Yes. The adaptive system works regardless of your starting point. Whether you're aiming to pass or aiming for an A*, the questions and feedback are calibrated to your current level. Students at every grade use StudySouq and see measurable improvement.
Does StudySouq help with A-Level Further Maths?
Yes. StudySouq includes content for Edexcel A-Level Further Mathematics with the same handcrafted questions, AI marking, and skill tracking available for standard A-Level Maths.

Pricing & Plans

Is there a free plan?
Yes. StudySouq has a free tier that gives you access to a meaningful number of questions and features — enough to genuinely experience the platform before committing. No credit card is required to sign up.
What does the premium plan include?
The premium plan unlocks unlimited AI-generated practice questions, full mock exams, the complete skill tracking dashboard, all lesson notes, and unlimited access to Mathius. Visit our Pricing page for the latest details and pricing.
How does StudySouq compare in cost to a private tutor?
A private A-Level Maths tutor typically costs £40–£60 per hour. StudySouq's monthly subscription is a fraction of a single tutoring session — and gives you 24/7 access to adaptive practice and instant feedback, not one hour a week.
Can I cancel my subscription at any time?
Yes. You can cancel at any time from your account settings. You'll keep full access until the end of your current billing period.
What is your refund policy?
We offer refunds in specific circumstances — see our Refund Policy page for full details. If you have a specific situation, contact us and we'll do our best to help.
Do you offer discounts?
Our pricing is already set with students in mind. If you have a specific hardship situation, reach out through the Contact page — we'll try to work something out.

Technical & Account

What devices can I use StudySouq on?
StudySouq works on any modern browser — laptop, desktop, tablet, or phone. No app download is required. For handwritten answer submission, a phone or tablet camera works best.
Do I need to install anything?
No. StudySouq runs entirely in your browser. Just sign up and start practising immediately.
Is my data safe?
Yes. We take data security seriously and comply with applicable data protection regulations. Your practice data and personal information are never sold to third parties. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
What if I find a bug or something isn't working?
Use the bug report button in the bottom-right corner of any page, or contact us through the Contact Us page. We actively monitor bug reports and fix issues quickly.
How do I reset my password?
Go to the Login page and click "Forgot Password". You'll receive a password reset link by email within a minute or two.
Can I use StudySouq offline?
StudySouq requires an internet connection to generate questions, submit answers, and sync your progress. You can read lesson notes offline if they've been loaded previously, but full functionality requires being online.