Getting started
First-time sign-up, free plan, what you can do without paying.
Is MyStudyDesk really free?+
Yes. The free plan gives you 2 subjects, the planner, AI tutor, marks tracking, timetable upload, and bilingual support — forever, no card needed.
What grades does it cover?+
Grade 4 through Matric (Grade 12), plus tertiary first-year. The AI adjusts depth and difficulty for each grade.
Do I need a credit card to sign up?+
No. The free plan needs nothing but an email address. Only Pro asks for card details.
Can my parents sign up for me?+
Yes. Many SA parents pay for the Pro plan for their children. Parents can also link to your account from the Family page (with your consent) to see streak and marks summaries — but never your actual study work.
AI tutor
How the AI works, what it can do, where it might make mistakes.
What AI does MyStudyDesk use?+
Anthropic's Claude (Sonnet 4.5). It's the same model that powers Claude.ai and is widely regarded as one of the best at explaining complex topics step by step.
Does the AI ever get answers wrong?+
Yes, occasionally — like any AI. Always check important facts against your textbook or teacher. Treat the AI as a study buddy who's usually right, not infallible.
Can the AI mark my essay?+
Yes. Photograph your essay (or upload as PDF / text) and the AI marks it to the SA CAPS rubric for that subject. Pro feature.
How does it know SA setwerk?+
The AI is trained on the SA CAPS prescribed list — Krismis van Map Jacobs, Hamlet, Lord of the Flies, Cry the Beloved Country, the standard poetry anthologies. For your specific edition, upload it.
Will it answer in Afrikaans?+
Yes. Every screen and every AI response is bilingual. Set your preferred language in your profile and the AI replies in that language, even if the source material is in the other language.
Pricing & billing
Pro plan, payments, cancellation, refunds.
What does Pro cost?+
R150 per month or R1500 per year (saves R300). Pricing is in ZAR including VAT.
How do I pay?+
Through Paystack — credit card, debit card, or instant EFT. MyStudyDesk doesn't see or store your card details.
Can I cancel anytime?+
Yes. Cancel from the Billing page with one click. You keep Pro access until the end of your current billing period. No refund for the partial period but no further charges either.
Is there a student discount?+
The Pro price (R150/month) is already targeted at SA students — roughly half an hour of a private tutor's fee. The annual plan effectively gives you 2 months free.
Can I refund?+
We don't refund partial months automatically, but if something went genuinely wrong, email info@mystudydesk.co.za and we'll make it right.
Privacy & data
Where your data lives, who can see it, deleting your account.
Is my data private?+
Yes. Your notes, marked papers and AI conversations are private to you. Friends only see your name, school and grade. Linked parents see streak and marks summaries, never actual content.
Where is my data stored?+
Supabase in South Africa for your account, notes, and uploaded documents. AI processing goes through Anthropic, who don't see your name or contact details — only the document text needed to fulfil the AI action.
Can I delete my account?+
Yes. Profile page → Delete my account. Removes everything permanently. Cancel your subscription separately first if you're on Pro.
Do you sell my data?+
No. Never. We make money from Pro subscriptions, not by selling data.
Exams & curriculum
CAPS curriculum, past papers, exam techniques.
Does it cover the CAPS curriculum?+
Yes. MyStudyDesk's AI is trained on the SA CAPS curriculum, recognises subject codes (WI, EHL, FW, etc.), and uses SA case studies and setwerk.
Can it mark a past paper without the memo?+
Yes — but the AI is more lenient when there's no memo because it's inferring the expected answers. Where a memo exists, marking is stricter.
Does it know past Matric papers?+
It can mark any past paper you upload. It also generates practice papers in CAPS exam style if you ask.
Question still not answered?
Send an email. We answer everyone within 24 hours.
info@mystudydesk.co.za