Because the best revision timetable is the one that you can actually stick to.
If you're sick of using your phone's notes app as a to-do list ahead of your mocks, it's time to create a revision timetable. An organised approach to studying is essential for the best grades, but a good revision timetable isn't just about being organised — it's about making sure it's actually effective.
Your schedule should be strategically planned to allow for spaced repetition of key topics, include a mix of types of revision, and above all shouldn't leave you feeling burned out. Read on for our tips on how to make the best revision timetable that you'll actually stick to, backed by science (and a template for you to use).
The three stages of a revision timetable
The process of revision is a long one, and it can certainly feel never ending. When you're creating your revision timetable, include time for the three key stages of revision:
Creating revision resources
Before you start memorising, you need to create something to memorise from. This stage is the part where you're making A3 sheets of mind-maps, writing out all your flashcards, and organising your notes. It's the pregame, but build time for it into your revision schedule, as it can take time.
Memorising
Every student's worst nightmare. It eventually comes time to actually memorise all the resources you've made. This can take weeks, and Quizlet is usually your best friend during this time.
Practising exam skills
Once you've started to memorise all the information you'll need, you need to build considerable time in for past paper practise. This is the most important stage; there's no use knowing everything if the examiner can't see that from how you're writing the paper.
The science behind good scheduling
Cramming might seem like a tempting shortcut, but research suggests it’s one of the least effective ways to retain information.
The German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus developed the Forgetting Curve, which shows that we forget information rapidly unless we actively reinforce it. Within just 24 hours, we can forget nearly 70% of what we’ve learned unless we review it. Trying to absorb a huge amount of information the night before an exam won't just stress you out: it also won't work.
Instead, you'll need to arm yourself with an airtight timetable so that you're revising things over a longer period of time, and using something called spaced repetition.
Spaced Repetition
The brain thrives on structured, consistent learning.
The most effective revision plans take advantage of active recall (retrieving information from memory rather than passively reviewing notes) and spaced repetition (revisiting material at strategic intervals to strengthen memory retention). You're far more likely to do well using these two crucial techniques when creating your revision timetable.
A 4-2-1 approach is a great way of scheduling your topics: revisiting material after four days, two weeks, and one month. Just like at the gym, training your brain is like training a muscle. You want to progressively overload, and revisit at increasing intervals.
Prioritisation
Your first step when creating your timetable is to get organised.
Make a full list of all your topics for all your subjects. Then — and this is important — colour code them based on how confident you are with each of them. Aim for green (very confident, could sit an exam on it tomorrow), yellow (not bad but needs work), and red (not confident at all). The topics in red should show up more often on your revision timetable than those in green.
Especially if you have limited time, it's important not to keep going over the things you already know well, even if it's tempting.
Active recall
Once you've thought about which topics to revise and when, you want to include time for active recall in your timetable. That includes things like:
Writing down everything you remember about a topic from memory.
Answering past paper questions under timed conditions.
Teaching a concept to a friend or family member.
Avoid passively reading over your notes!
How to keep it realistic and avoid burnout
It's all too easy to get ahead of yourself and overestimate what you can get done in a day, and suddenly what you thought was a super effective revision timetable is actually causing you lots of stress.
Your goals should be SMART to be realistic:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-bound
Our favourite tip is to build in buffer time at the end of every week. A couple hours should suffice. No revision plan is perfect, and unexpected delays happen, so designated time to catch up each week can help lessen any anxiety if you don't get round to doing a topic you scheduled in.
Key takeaways
Key strategies:
Spaced repetition
Active recall
Buffer time
Prioritising 'red' topics
The best revision timetable isn’t the most detailed or ambitious—it’s the one you can actually follow. By using techniques like spaced repetition, active recall, and buffer time, you can build a revision schedule that not only boosts your grades but also keeps you from burning out. Stay flexible, stay consistent, and trust the process—you've got this!
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