A good revision plan is simple, realistic and flexible. You do not need a colour-coded chart for every hour. You need a clear idea of what to do each month and a weekly routine you can keep.
Month by month
September to October: build the habit
- Keep up with new topics in class.
- Start short revision sessions: 20–30 minutes, three or four times a week.
- Make revision cards as you go.
November to December: mocks
- Most schools hold mock exams around this time.
- Revise all topics covered so far and do timed past questions.
- After mocks, make a list of your weakest topics.
January to February: fix the gaps
- Work through your weakest topics first.
- Use end-of-topic tests to check they are fixed.
- Keep reviewing flashcards so earlier topics do not fade.
March to April: full papers
- Start timed, full past papers for your board and tier.
- Mark them, make a fix list and revise from it.
- Use the Easter holiday for a steady routine, not all-day cramming.
May to June: exams
- Revise the next exam's subject in the days before it.
- Use short sessions, lots of self-testing and good sleep.
Building your weekly timetable
- Block out fixed times first: school, clubs, meals, family time.
- Add short revision slots: 30–45 minutes each, with a 5–10 minute break.
- Mix subjects: do not put three Maths sessions in a row.
- Put hard subjects when you are fresh, often straight after school or in the morning at weekends.
- Keep one evening free. Rest helps memory.
What a session looks like
- 5 minutes: brain dump what you remember.
- 20–30 minutes: practice questions.
- 5 minutes: mark and note what to fix.
Warning signs
- You are only rereading notes.
- You are always revising your favourite subject.
- You are going to bed very late to revise.
If you see these, go back to short sessions, self-testing and sleep.
In short
Build the habit in autumn, use mocks to find gaps, fix them in winter, move to full papers in spring and keep calm in the summer. Small, regular sessions win.
Notes, tests and papers for your exam board
AshACE® Revise is opening soon for Year 6 to GCSE.