Maths Genie vs Craig 'n' Dave: Free CS Revision
Compare MathsGenie and Craig 'n' Dave for free GCSE and A Level Computer Science videos, practice, exam-board fit and teaching resources before choosing.
Which free Computer Science resource should you choose?
Choose Craig 'n' Dave if you mainly want an established, teacher-authored video course mapped closely to your exam-board specification. Choose MathsGenie if you want to move between explanations, bite-sized lessons, flashcards, worksheets, question banks and past papers within one revision workflow.
For many students, the best answer is not to replace one with the other. Craig 'n' Dave can provide the first explanation of a specification point, while MathsGenie can help turn that explanation into active recall and exam practice.
MathsGenie is a credible Craig n Dave alternative for mixed-format revision, but Computer Science is a new subject area for MathsGenie. It would therefore be misleading to suggest that its Computer Science library has the same history or established reputation as Craig 'n' Dave's award-winning provision.
This comparison was checked on 28 August 2026. Availability and paid-access arrangements can change, so teachers should confirm them before planning a whole course around any platform.
MathsGenie vs Craig 'n' Dave at a glance
| Decision criterion | MathsGenie | Craig 'n' Dave | Practical trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall use | Mixed-format learning and exam practice | Structured, specification-led video learning | Decide whether you need to learn content or practise retrieving and applying it |
| Video approach | Videos form part of a wider revision system | Teacher-authored videos are a central part of the offer | Craig 'n' Dave is stronger for following a coherent video course; MathsGenie makes it easier to change activity |
| Exam-board alignment | Topic pages and guides are organised around named specifications | Separate video sets are written for specific specifications and their differences | Both support board-focused study, but Craig 'n' Dave places greater emphasis on specification-by-specification video design |
| Free access | Computer Science revision material is presented as freely accessible | Student Stream YouTube videos are free, ad-free and sponsor-free | Both provide free learning, but not everything associated with Craig 'n' Dave is free |
| Question practice | Question banks, worksheets, lessons and past-paper access are integrated into subject pages | Video learning is free; some assessment tools and fuller resource collections have paid tiers | MathsGenie is the simpler choice when immediate practice is the priority |
| Classroom resources | Useful for assigning individual topics, questions and revision activities | Free samples are available, but full Resource Centre access is paid | Craig 'n' Dave offers a more developed teacher-resource ecosystem, although complete access may require a budget |
| Track record | Computer Science is a new MathsGenie subject area | Long-established and award-winning Computer Science provision | MathsGenie should be judged on the resources available now, not assumed to match the older library's maturity |
| Changing revision mode | Students can move between guides, lessons, flashcards and questions | Students can combine videos with note-taking and related resources | MathsGenie suits short, varied sessions; Craig 'n' Dave suits sustained explanation and structured notes |
Why Craig 'n' Dave remains strong for video-led learning
Craig 'n' Dave's main advantage is not simply the number of videos. Its videos are written by experienced Computer Science teachers for particular examination specifications rather than as general introductions to computing.
The Student Stream currently lists separate coverage for OCR, AQA and Pearson Edexcel GCSE Computer Science, Cambridge IGCSE, and OCR and AQA at A Level. That separation matters because similar topics can have different terminology, depth or assessment expectations across specifications.
The videos are designed to present the knowledge required by the relevant course. GCSE videos use prompts intended to support note-taking, while A Level students are expected to identify and record key points more independently. This makes the collection suitable for flipped learning, catching up after absence and revisiting difficult theory.
Its videos have also received external recognition, including a Bett Award for free secondary digital content. That established subject reputation is meaningful for teachers who want a resource with a long Computer Science focus.
The important free-versus-paid distinction
The free offer is substantial, but it is important not to describe every Craig 'n' Dave resource as free.
Its Student Stream videos on YouTube are free, ad-free and sponsor-free. Some interactive applications and programming materials are also available without payment. However, the Resource Centre uses a mixed model: free accounts can access sample units and selected free downloads, while full access to its schemes of learning, lesson materials, workbooks, activities and other downloadable resources requires a paid Resource Centre account.
Its assessment platform also has free and paid access levels. A free account provides access to features for a limited selection of topics, whereas full question access requires paid student vouchers. These products should not be confused with the freely available video library.
For an individual student who only needs GCSE Computer Science revision videos, the free Student Stream may be enough. A department wanting editable teaching materials, answers and a complete course structure must examine the Resource Centre terms separately.
Where MathsGenie is a useful alternative
MathsGenie takes a broader revision approach. A student can start with an explanation and then change to a lesson, flashcards, a worksheet or exam-style questions instead of staying in a video sequence.
The GCSE Computer Science hub organises resources by qualification and exam board. For example, the OCR GCSE Computer Science page brings together lessons, questions and revision tools for OCR J277, while the AQA GCSE revision guides are arranged against AQA 8525.
At A Level, the Computer Science hub currently lists AQA, Eduqas and OCR. Students can use resources such as the AQA A Level revision guides or OCR A Level lessons.
This does not mean the material is merely generic. Individual MathsGenie pages are matched to named specifications. The difference is one of emphasis: Craig 'n' Dave builds its identity around teacher-narrated, specification-specific video courses, whereas MathsGenie places videos and explanations inside a more general learn–recall–practise revision cycle.
The advantage of active practice
Watching an explanation can create a sense of familiarity without proving that you can answer a question unaided. Effective revision therefore needs retrieval and application.
MathsGenie's topic structure can help students follow a simple cycle:
- Read a revision guide or complete a lesson.
- Close the explanation and use flashcards to retrieve definitions.
- Attempt questions without notes.
- Check the available solution or mark scheme.
- Return only to the specific point that caused the error.
That workflow is especially useful for binary, Boolean logic, algorithm tracing and programming constructs, where students need to do more than recognise a correct explanation. It also helps with longer theory responses because marking a written answer can expose missing technical vocabulary.
Which is better for GCSE students?
For a GCSE student learning a topic for the first time, Craig 'n' Dave is usually the stronger video-first choice. Its focused presentation and guided note-taking approach can provide a clear route through the specification.
MathsGenie becomes particularly useful after the explanation. Its combination of revision guides, interactive lessons, flashcards, worksheets and question banks allows students to check whether they can retrieve and apply what they watched.
A sensible 40-minute session could include:
- 10–15 minutes learning one tightly defined specification point;
- five minutes writing key facts from memory;
- 15 minutes answering topic questions;
- five minutes correcting errors and recording the next revision target.
Students should always select their actual exam board. A strong explanation for the wrong specification may include unnecessary material or omit wording and depth required by their own course.
Which is better for A Level students?
At A Level, Craig 'n' Dave's detailed specification-led video sequences are valuable when a topic requires a connected explanation. This can be helpful for processor architecture, data structures, databases, networking, Boolean algebra and theoretical computation.
MathsGenie is useful when students need a shorter route from explanation to independent activity. Its A Level pages combine written guides, lessons, flashcards and practice resources, which can make gaps easier to isolate.
Neither approach removes the need to write code, trace algorithms and complete timed questions. Video-only revision is particularly risky at A Level because understanding a narration is not the same as constructing a precise technical response or developing a working solution.
Which is better for teachers?
Teachers seeking a mature, specification-focused video library for flipped learning have a strong reason to choose Craig 'n' Dave. The videos can support homework, cover work, catch-up and non-specialist delivery.
However, departments must distinguish between the free videos and the paid Resource Centre. Free samples can help teachers evaluate the style, but complete access to the downloadable classroom collection is not included simply because the videos are free.
MathsGenie is useful for linking students directly to a topic and assigning follow-up practice. Its varied formats can also support differentiation: one student may need another explanation, while another is ready for recall or exam-style questions.
Because MathsGenie Computer Science is new, teachers should inspect topic coverage before relying on it as a complete departmental scheme. It is better treated as a developing revision and practice library than assumed to have the same established breadth as Craig 'n' Dave.
Final recommendation
Craig 'n' Dave is the better choice for students or departments wanting a proven, teacher-authored and exam-board-specific video spine. Its free, ad-free Student Stream remains a substantial resource, although full downloadable Resource Centre access and complete access to some associated assessment content are paid.
MathsGenie is the better Craig n Dave alternative when the priority is varied, active revision in one place. It is particularly helpful for moving from explanation to flashcards, worksheets, question banks and past-paper practice.
The strongest no-cost student strategy is to combine their different strengths: use a specification-matched video to learn, then use MathsGenie Computer Science to retrieve, practise and identify what still needs work.
