How to make an effective revision timetable to boost your productivity

Whether it's GCSEs or A-Levels you're revising for, you'll be juggling the revision of different subjects and modules. Like many who've come before you, it can be overwhelming to have all your books and notes staring back at you, unsure where to begin.

Every good revision routine starts with an easy-to-follow revision timetable. This will help you block out time to focus on certain modules and work to your revising strengths. Work out which ways of revising work best for you, what times of the day and how long you find you can focus for.

How to create your revision timetable

Where do you begin? Let's walk through the process of creating a revision timetable that works for you!

1. Create an overview of modules and key exam dates

List out your exams, when they are and what modules each exam covers. This will give you a list of areas to focus on over the coming weeks or months and makes sure you don't forget anything important. You can then prioritise the modules you study first based on which is your first exam.

2. Prioritise your subjects

There will be some subjects or specific modules you'll know to revise more - perhaps ones that require you to understand more complicated formulas or cover an earlier module you can't really remember any more. You'll also want to prioritise your time based on which exams come first so nothing is forgotten!

You could even go down your list and give each module a confidence score – the ones with the lowest confidence score, you can make sure you block out more time to revise over the coming months. Look back at your mock exams or earlier assessments, were there certain modules or areas you scored lower than you would have liked? This may indicate the need for more revision.

3. Work out your time blocks

The key to creating an effective revision timetable is making sure it plays to your revision strengths. For example, do you prefer long stints of focused time or smaller bursts of revision with regular breaks? Are you a morning person or a night owl? Knowing this about yourself will help you find the best methods for revision!

4. Block out other time commitments

No one is expecting you to revise 24/7, and there will be things already in your schedule you should add to your planning. You can then work your revision around this. This will help you avoid the panic or the need to cram.

5. For each block, know what and how you're going to revise

It's all well and good setting the time to revise, but if you don't know how you're going to use the time, it can be wasted. Think about the revision techniques that work for you and at what stage you're at in your revision.

Make it clear on your revision timetable what it is you hope to achieve in the time allocated. For example, is it going through your notes and highlighting the main points, completing a past paper, or creating flashcards?

6. Remember to take breaks!

While you don't want to interrupt your flow, it's important to step away from your revision every once in a while. It can make sure you're revising most effectively and your brain has a chance to recharge and take in the new information you've learnt. Scheduling these breaks into your revision timetable will make sure you remember to take them - you deserve it!

Most often, students like to do 30 minutes of revision followed by a 10-minute break for a couple of hours and then schedule in a longer break for lunch and dinner. Many find this keeps them on track with their revision and helps to have the reward scheduled at the end: whether you take that as scrolling on social media or grabbing a quick coffee.

Not sure where to begin? Download our FREE revision template to get started!