Creating a revision timetable
Preparing for exams is all about effective revising, and the key to that is a well-crafted timetable to help you revise. Here’s how to create a schedule to make the most of your study time
A revision timetable will keep you organised but also ensures that you're maintaining a healthy study-life balance while getting you ready for your exams.
A well-crafted revision timetable can be your secret weapon for conquering them.
Here are four steps to create a revision timetable that can help you.
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1. Make sure you have all the important information:
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List your exams and topics: start by writing down all your upcoming exams and the specific topics you need to cover for each.
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Identify your strengths and weaknesses: be honest with yourself, which subjects or topics do you find most challenging? Allocate more time in your schedule to areas that need extra attention.
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Consider your commitments: don't forget to account for work, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments. Block out these non-study periods in your calendar first.
2. Revision strategy:
- Figure out your available time: count the number of days you have until each exam and estimate how many hours you can realistically dedicate to revising each day.
- Chunk subjects: divide each subject into smaller, manageable topics. This will make revising feel less daunting and help you stay focused during each study session.
- Prioritise: allocate more time to challenging topics and prioritise subjects with upcoming exams.
3. Build your timetable:
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Choose your format: use a physical planner, a digital calendar, or even a mind map – whichever works best for you.
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Schedule your sessions: allocate specific time slots for each topic, consider their difficulty and the time needed for revising.
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Schedule breaks: don't forget to factor in short breaks every 30-45 minutes to avoid burnout and improve information retention.
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Colour code or highlight important information: use visual cues to differentiate between subjects, exam dates, or priority topics.
4. Be adaptable:
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Be realistic: don't overload your schedule – aim for achievable goals and leave room for flexibility.
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Mix it up: alternate between different subjects and revision techniques (e.g., flashcards, practice questions, past papers) to keep things interesting and improve your engagement.
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Review and revise: schedule regular review sessions to revisit previously covered topics and solidify your understanding.
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Reward yourself: celebrate your achievements, big or small, to stay motivated throughout the revision journey.
The ‘2 3 5 7’ revision timetable method
The ‘2357’ method uses spaced repetition to help you revise. It's also really helps you plan your timetable if you're revising for a range of exams in the same month.
By leaving gaps between each study session, you can test what information has gone deeper into your memory and what hasn’t. It helps you focus your efforts so you can prioritise the topics to memorise.
It also uses a ‘mix and match’ approach, where you swap from studying one subject to focus on another. This keeps your brain fresh and may help you spot connections between different themes.
How to create a 2357 timetable
- On a calendar, fill in the dates of your exams.
- The day before each exam, plan to revise by doing a past paper.
- From here, count back 2 days, then 3, then 5, then 7; for each of these dates, plan a study session focusing on that subject. You’ll start revising 18 days before the exam in that subject.
Once you’ve added in all your exams and study sessions, any ‘open’ days with no session planned can be used to focus on specific topics or subjects where needed. If it ends up with a past paper and a session to revise another subject on the same date, prioritise the past paper, as your exam in this subject is the next day.
Remember, your revision timetable is a personal tool, so don't be afraid to adjust it as needed. By following these steps and personalising your plan, you'll be well on your way to exam success.
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