Why you need a Revision Timetable

Free Download: Revision Timetable Template

Click the button below to download your FREE revision timetable template.

This template will help you to create a detailed study plan for seven days.

Print off the template once you have finished the download. Scale it up to A3 or even A2 size so that you have a large surface to work from. A larger surface will enable you to add additional notes or comments to the plan.

Why do you need a revision timetable?

1. MANAGE YOUR TIME

A timetable allows you to plan and manage the time you have before exams effectively. It helps break up your day into short slots, specifying time for studying. This, coupled with a study planner, will revolutionise your revision time.

​If you are doing your GCSEs, you may have to revise for ten different subjects at once! If you’re facing A Level exams, you will focus on fewer subjects but cover each in greater depth.

Revising for so many different subjects and different exams can be disconcerting, frightening even.

A revision timetable enables you to plan and manage your workload, ensuring you fit everything in without losing your mind.

2. PRIORITISE TASKS

You can use a timetable to prioritise certain topics. If, for example, you are confident in Maths, but your Chemistry needs a bit of work, you can design the timetable to focus on the sciences.

If you need a high grade in a particular subject to get onto an apprenticeship, degree apprenticeship or university course, you can shape the timetable to concentrate on that subject and still leave time to work on your other exams.

3. STAY CALM

Having a visual and well-thought-out plan for your day-to-day work will help you remain calm during the stressful revision period.

Anxiety about exams is also normal but can get in the way of preparing for them. ​

​A timetable will let you know what you should be working on that day, the next day and the day after that. There is no need to go loopy when you have a clear and detailed plan to guide you through your exams.

If you are feeling stressed about your exams and revision. Take breaks (we cover this more next), and talk to your friends and classmates. They’re also going through the same thing, and there’s strength in numbers.

What should I include?

1. REGULAR BREAKS

Include short breaks as part of your study plan. The free template (which you should have already downloaded) includes 20-minute intervals throughout the day.

If you work continuously for six hours without rest, you are likely to lose focus, get bored and procrastinate. A short break in between different topics will ensure your revision is more productive.

2. PAST PAPERS

Past papers are an essential part of revision. Answering test questions under time constraints and exam conditions is the best way of preparing for an upcoming exam.

Factor in time to complete past papers and exam questions as part of your revision plan. It’s a great way of discovering if what you have learned is sticking or if you need to repeat a topic.

3. REGULAR REFRESHERS

Leave gaps in your timetable to go over any topics that need further coverage.

Regular refreshers on subjects you are struggling with – and even subjects you are confident about – are a simple but effective method of storing knowledge.

4. SUMMARY NOTES

The template also includes a slot at the end of each day to make summary notes. You should take time out after you have revised to make summarised notes of what you have covered.

Write them on a flash card or a small bit of paper.

These notes should be concise (perhaps in bullet point form) and focus on key facts, formulas, dates or analyses that you will need for a specific exam. You can bring these with you everywhere and test yourself for pure entertainment.

What makes a good revision plan?

You’ve downloaded the template, printed it on A3 using your giant printer, found some blu-tack and stuck it onto the wall. It looks magnificent. But it’s blank…

So, what now?

Here are some top tips for creating the best revision timetable the world has ever seen.

1. BE REALISTIC

This is crucial. Do not overestimate the amount of work you can get through in a day.

You’ll end up doing one of two things – rushing through each topic and learning sweet nothing or finishing the day having only completed half the work you had originally planned to do.

Be realistic! Think! Design a practical one, with enough time to give each topic comprehensive coverage.

Need a little more inspiration when it comes to revision planning? No problem. Here are 10 revision tips[link] that are sure to put your mind at ease.

2. BE DETAILED

You want to be able to look at your study plan and know exactly what topics you will be covering that day.

Imagine the situation… you wake up on a Wednesday morning, polish off two bowls of Weetos, and trot over to your revision timetable, displayed proudly on your bedroom wall – Biology it reads.

Biology? What module? What topic? When is the exam? What pages in the textbook should I cover?

This confusion wastes time and will mess up the study plan you have devised. Ensure your revision timetable has all the information you need to get on with your work.

3. BE DILIGENT

It’s obvious. There is little sense in putting together the best revision timetable the world has ever seen if you’re not going to work.

Be honest – revision isn’t fun. It isn’t supposed to be fun. Bouncy castles are fun – ​but bouncy castles will not prepare you for your exams or help you along the way to a career. Unless of course, you become a bouncy castle operator. There are ways to make them interesting, however! Memory games and group revision are really good ways.

​Be diligent and put the hours in. You may not realise the impact of your hard work until results day, but by that time, revision will be a distant memory.

4. BE FLEXIBLE… BUT STICK TO THE PLAN

On appearance, these two statements contradict each other. How awkward. Do not be fooled, though. This tip is a hot one.

It is essential ​that you stick with your revision timetable. Follow it closely to ensure that you stay on task and do not miss out on any topics that could potentially come up in an exam.

Follow it closely, and your work will go smoothly. You will walk into the exam hall with confidence and a solid base of revision behind you.

Follow your timetable closely… but do not treat it as law. If you think a certain topic needs more coverage, or you have scheduled a topic you’re already feeling confident about, change it! If the study plan needs changing or updating, do not hesitate.

Your revision timetable should be flexible to best prepare you for imminent exams.