Looking for high-quality, free learning materials for IGCSE, A Levels, or SAT prep? What if the world’s best books were only one click away?

In a World Where Everything Costs, Free Still Exists, If You Know Where to Look

Zara was two weeks out from her AS Level Literature mock exams. Her textbook was dated. Her notes? A mess. She couldn’t afford another pricey revision guide until she stumbled upon a site offering thousands of free, board-aligned eBooks.

She downloaded The Great Gatsby and a modern commentary on it, for free. The difference in her essay structure was immediate. Her confidence soared. Her score followed.

She didn’t just find a free eBook. She found her edge.

Students across the globe, whether studying IB, IGCSE, GCSE, SAT, AQA, Cambridge, or Edexcel, are discovering that free eBook platforms can be as powerful as expensive tuition books.

But where do you start? Which sites are safe, legal, and truly valuable for exam success?

Let’s explore 12 of the best.

Why Free eBooks Matter for Exam Success

Textbooks are expensive. Revision guides can cost more than a week’s allowance. And if you’re studying for multiple subjects, History, Chemistry, and Literature, the costs add up quickly.

That’s where free eBook platforms change the game.

They offer:

• 📘 Curriculum-relevant material

• 🕒 Instant access

• 💸 Zero cost

• 🌐 Global availability

Whether you’re brushing up on Shakespeare for AQA, revisiting biology for Edexcel, or tackling reading comprehension for the SAT, free eBooks let you study smarter, not pricier.

12 LEGIT Free eBook Resources for Students in 2025

1. Project Gutenberg

Best for: Classic literature and foundational texts
Founded in 1971, this is the grandparent of free eBooks. From Frankenstein to Pride and Prejudice, it’s a goldmine for English Lit students across IGCSE, GCSE, and AQA boards.

Formats include ePub, Kindle, and PDF.

2. Open Library

Best for: Rare or out-of-print books
Over 1.7 million books available! You can borrow digital textbooks, which are especially useful for AS/A Level Economics, Edexcel History, or SAT Essay examples.

3. BookBoon

Best for: Business, Engineering, and Science
Aimed at college-level and upper secondary students, this is perfect for IB Math SL/HL, A Level Business, and SAT Quant prep.

Short, focused, and to the point, just like exam day.

4. Smashwords

Best for: Independent study, new authors
While known for fiction, many authors offer free educational guides, including grammar refreshers and writing tips, great for SAT Writing or GCSE English.

5. ManyBooks

Best for: Subject variety and discoverability
Offers thousands of free titles, including historical fiction, philosophy, science, and more. Great if you’re looking for cross-curricular enrichment or extra reading for the Extended Essay in IB.

6. Feedbooks

Best for: Browsing popular genres
Split into public domain and original content. Ideal for when you need a break from revision without ditching reading altogether. Keep your brain sharp, even during downtime.

7. Bartleby

Best for: Reference and academic texts
Think: dictionaries, thesauruses, essays, and classic literary works. Bartleby is great for essay referencing and exam terminology, especially in subjects like English Language, Theory of Knowledge (IB), or SAT Critical Reading.

8. Goodreads

Best for: Community-powered recommendations
Though not a direct download platform, Goodreads curates lists of free eBooks through links and reviews. Students preparing for AQA Literature or Cambridge reading assessments can discover reader-approved study texts here.

9. Free-Ebooks.net

Best for: Self-help and productivity
Offers both academic and motivational texts, helpful for time management, exam strategy, and overcoming test anxiety. Good prep for high-pressure exams like SAT, IB HL, or A Level final papers.

10. E-Books Directory

Best for: Science, mathematics, and programming
Ideal for STEM-focused students—from A Level Physics to IB Computer Science. Their academic book collection includes lecture notes, workbooks, and past-paper-like materials.

11. Children’s Storybooks Online / StoryJumper

Best for: Younger siblings or early learners
Need age-appropriate material for students in lower secondary O Level prep or helping younger learners? These sites offer colorful, interactive stories, ideal for developing comprehension skills.

12. Kindle Free Books (via Amazon)

Best for: Author giveaways and textbook samplers
Search “free textbooks” or “Cambridge A Level samples” and sort by price (low to high). Many authors and publishers give away sample chapters or full versions for a limited time.

Legal Note: Only Download from Trusted Sources

Not all “free” sites are legal. Stick with the platforms above, and avoid shady downloads that may violate copyright.

🛡️ Respect copyright laws in your country, especially for newer editions aligned with Edexcel or AQA specifications.

How to Use Free eBooks Effectively

1. Build a “Digital Revision Library”
Keep PDFs organized by subject (e.g., IGCSE Biology, SAT Verbal).

2. Sync with Your Curriculum
Compare the book content to your syllabus. Does that 1880s physics book cover what Edexcel 2025 asks? Maybe not.

3. Pair with Online Tutoring
Use these texts during your online lessons to dive deeper with your tutor, especially for subjects like Literature, History, or Theory of Knowledge.

4. Share with Peers
Found something helpful? Share the link. Free knowledge is better together.

Final Thoughts: Your Best Education Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank

You don’t need a credit card to be a high achiever.

You need curiosity, a plan, and access to the right tools. Free eBook platforms give you just that, especially when you’re working toward top grades in Cambridge, AQA, Edexcel, IB, or SAT.

So the next time you think you need to buy yet another textbook, ask yourself this:

What if your next breakthrough was already out there, just waiting to be downloaded?