How It Works

This revision timetable calculator creates a personalized study schedule based on your exam dates, subjects, and available study time.

Where:

Total Available Hours = (Days until exam) × (Daily study hours) × (Study days per week ÷ 7)

Priority Factor = High: 3, Medium: 2, Low: 1

Topics per Session = (Total topics) ÷ (Study sessions allocated)

For example, with 30 days until exams, studying 3 hours daily, 6 days per week:

Total hours = 30 × 3 × (6/7) = 77 hours total

If Mathematics (High priority) and English (Medium priority):

Maths hours = 77 × (3/(3+2)) = 46 hours

English hours = 77 × (2/(3+2)) = 31 hours

The calculator then distributes these hours across your available study days, considering exam proximity and topic difficulty.

Effective Revision Timetable Principles

Research shows these principles create effective revision schedules:

Principle	Why It Works	Implementation
Spaced Repetition	Better long-term retention	Review topics every 3-4 days
Interleaving	Improves discrimination between topics	Mix different subjects in same session
Active Recall	Strengthens memory retrieval	Test yourself, don’t just re-read
Pomodoro Technique	Maintains focus and prevents burnout	25 minutes study, 5 minutes break
Rest Days	Consolidates learning	1-2 full rest days per week

Weekly Study Hour Recommendations

Optimal study hours vary by exam level and time available:

Exam Level	Weeks Until Exams	Daily Hours	Weekly Hours	Pattern
GCSE	8+ weeks	2-3 hours	12-18 hours	5 days study, 2 rest
GCSE	4-8 weeks	3-4 hours	18-24 hours	6 days study, 1 rest
A-Level	10+ weeks	3-4 hours	18-24 hours	5 days study, 2 rest
A-Level	4-10 weeks	4-5 hours	24-30 hours	6 days study, 1 rest
University	12+ weeks	4-5 hours	24-30 hours	5 days study, 2 rest
University	4-12 weeks	5-6 hours	30-36 hours	6 days study, 1 rest

If You Have Limited Time (Less Than 4 Weeks)

With limited time, focus on high-impact strategies:

1. Past papers: 50% of your study time

2. Key topics: 30% on highest-mark topics

3. Weak areas: 15% on topics you struggle with

4. Quick review: 5% on everything else

Quality matters more than quantity when time is short. Focus on active recall and exam practice.

Subject Prioritization Strategies

Not all subjects deserve equal time. Prioritize based on:

Priority Level	Subjects	Time Allocation	Study Focus
High	Weakest subjects, core subjects (English/Maths), highest weighting	40-50% of time	Foundation concepts, past papers
Medium	Average subjects, moderate importance	30-40% of time	Key topics, practice questions
Low	Strongest subjects, optional topics	10-20% of time	Maintenance, quick review

Common mistake: Spending too much time on subjects you enjoy or are already good at. Focus on weaknesses.

Daily Study Session Structure

Effective daily structure for 3-hour study sessions:

Session 1 (9-11am): Hardest subject, new material

Break (11-11:30am): Physical activity, snack

Session 2 (11:30am-1pm): Medium difficulty subject, practice questions

Lunch Break (1-2pm): Proper meal, rest

Session 3 (2-3:30pm): Easiest subject, review or past papers

Afternoon (3:30pm+): Free time, light review if needed

For shorter sessions, combine subjects or focus on one subject deeply.

Pomodoro Technique Adaptation

25 minutes focused study, 5 minutes break. After 4 Pomodoros, take 15-30 minute break. This maintains focus and prevents burnout.

Common Timetable Mistakes

Students often make these scheduling errors:

Over-scheduling: Planning 8+ hour days that aren’t sustainable

No variety: Studying same subject for hours

Ignoring breaks: No rest leads to diminishing returns

Rigid schedule: Not adapting when things don’t go to plan

No review time: Only learning new material, never revising

Weekend neglect: Either no weekend study or 12-hour weekend marathons

This calculator avoids these by creating balanced, realistic schedules.

Common Questions From Students

How many hours should I study per day?

For GCSE: 2-4 hours daily. For A-Level: 3-5 hours daily. For University: 4-6 hours daily. Quality matters more than quantity.

Should I study on weekends?

Yes, but differently. Weekends: longer sessions for deep work, past papers, or catching up. Include one full rest day if possible.

What if I fall behind schedule?

Adjust, don’t abandon. Identify why you fell behind, reduce time on low-priority subjects, and focus on essentials.

How do I balance multiple subjects?

Use interleaving: alternate subjects within study sessions. Mix difficult and easier subjects. Prioritize based on exam proximity and weakness.

When should I do past papers?

Start 4-6 weeks before exams. Begin with open-book, move to timed conditions. Review mark schemes thoroughly.

What about breaks and social life?

Schedule them! Include social activities in your timetable. Complete rest is essential for memory consolidation.

Revision Phase Planning

Effective revision happens in phases:

Phase	Time Before Exams	Focus	Activities
Foundation	8+ weeks	Understanding concepts	Note-making, concept maps, basic questions
Practice	4-8 weeks	Applying knowledge	Topic questions, past papers by topic
Exam Technique	2-4 weeks	Timed practice	Full past papers, mark scheme analysis
Final Review	0-2 weeks	Consolidation	Quick reviews, formulas, key points

Dealing with Procrastination

Common causes and solutions:

Overwhelm: Break tasks into 25-minute chunks

Perfectionism: Aim for “good enough” not perfect

Lack of clarity: Specific tasks (e.g., “do 10 maths questions” not “study maths”)

Fear of failure: Start with easiest task to build momentum

Distractions: Use phone blockers, study in library

The 5-minute rule: Commit to just 5 minutes of study. Often, starting is the hardest part.

Motivation vs Discipline

Motivation fades. Discipline sustains. Create a routine and stick to it regardless of how you feel.

Special Considerations

Situation	Timetable Adjustment	Study Strategy
Working part-time	Study before work, longer weekend sessions	Focus on quality, not quantity
Multiple exams close	Alternate subjects daily	Interleaving, spaced repetition
Dyslexia/SpLD	Shorter, more frequent sessions	Multisensory learning, assistive tech
Anxiety/stress	More breaks, shorter sessions	Mindfulness, exercise included
Poor concentration	Pomodoro technique strictly	Active learning, not passive reading

Digital vs Paper Timetables

Both have advantages:

Digital: Easy to adjust, reminders, can sync across devices

Paper: Tangible, no distractions, satisfaction of ticking off

Many students benefit from a hybrid approach: digital for planning, paper for daily tracking.

When to Revise vs When to Rest

Signs you need a break:

• Reading same sentence multiple times without understanding

• Constant clock-watching

• Headaches or eye strain

• Irritability or frustration

• Diminishing returns (studying longer but learning less)

Better to study 4 focused hours with breaks than 6 exhausted hours without.

Exam Week Strategy

The week before exams:

7 days before: Final past papers under timed conditions

5-6 days before: Review weak areas identified from past papers

3-4 days before: Create summary sheets, review formulas

1-2 days before: Light review only, focus on mental preparation

Day before: Rest, prepare materials, get good sleep

Exam day: Light review if it calms you, otherwise relax

Cramming the night before rarely helps and often harms through exhaustion.

Adapting Your Timetable

Your timetable should be a guide, not a prison. Adapt when:

1. You’re consistently falling behind: Reduce daily targets

2. You’re finishing early: Add more challenging material

3. Life events happen: Adjust and continue

4. You discover new weaknesses: Reallocate time

5. Exams are rescheduled: Recalculate from new dates

Review and adjust your timetable weekly based on what’s working.

Beyond the Timetable: What Really Matters

While having a schedule helps, success depends on:

Sleep: 8+ hours nightly, especially before exams

Nutrition: Regular meals, brain-friendly foods

Exercise: 30 minutes daily improves cognition

Mindset: Growth mindset, stress management

Support: Study groups, teacher help, family support

A student with a moderate timetable but good health habits will outperform a student with a perfect timetable but poor habits.

Final Checklist

Before starting your revision timetable:

1. Gather all exam dates: Check official timetables

2. List all topics: Use specification or textbook contents

3. Be realistic: Account for school, work, commitments

4. Include breaks: Schedule them like study sessions

5. Start today: Even 30 minutes is progress

The best timetable is the one you actually follow. Start simple and build from there.