Building a Revision Timetable That Works

You now have a toolkit of powerful revision techniques: active recall, spaced repetition, interleaving, practice testing, elaboration, and dual coding. The question is: how do you fit all of this into an actual plan?

A good revision timetable is not just a list of subjects allocated to time slots. It is a strategic plan that applies everything you have learned about how memory works. This lesson will show you how to build one.

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Step 1: Know What You Need to Cover

Before you can plan, you need a clear picture of the territory. For each subject:

1. Get the specification. Download the syllabus or specification from your exam board. This is the definitive list of everything that could be tested.
2. Break it into topics. Divide each subject into manageable topics (e.g., "Photosynthesis," "Quadratic Equations," "Causes of WWI").
3. Rate your confidence. For each topic, honestly rate your confidence on a simple scale:
   • Red: I do not understand this at all or have not covered it
   • Amber: I have some understanding but could not confidently answer exam questions
   • Green: I understand this well and could answer exam questions on it