How to create a fantastic GCSE and A-Level revision timetable template. A game changer for success in examinations and coursework! 

As an educator, you know how crucial a solid revision timetable is for students. Revision timetables can be a fantastic tool for students to stay organised, productive and calm. With exam season just around the corner, many young learners will be looking for guidance on how to structure their revision in the most effective way.

Whether you’re helping them plan their study time or advising them on how to approach their workload, having a revision timetable in place is essential for exam success!

In this blog, our in-house experts at Elevate Supply will walk you through the best practices for creating a GCSE or A-Level revision timetable, provide a revision timetable template and introduce you to the most effective ways to maximise revision efforts. By the end of this blog, you’ll have all the tools you need to help your students manage their time and stay on top of their work! 

If you’re on the hunt for other tips and tricks to use in conjunction with our revision timetable blog, check out our Classroom Management Techniques blog. Perfect for educators who are on the hunt for ways to spread productiveness and positivity in the classroom. 

At Elevate Supply, our ethos is to help both learning institutions and educators. We offer support for them with our services, which include providing information on how to provide young learners with revision advice and tips! 

Our team is fully committed to making life easier for our users and our platform is designed to be as user-friendly as possible so you can easily set up and manage your preferences if you’d like to. As well as this, if you have any questions about anything discussed in this blog, you can simply send us an email - contact@elevatesupply.co.uk or call us on 0114 7008490. 

We look forward to speaking with you!

Why is a revision timetable important?

Before we dive into the specifics of creating a revision timetable, it's essential to understand why it's so important for your students. GCSE and A-Level exams are challenging and require careful preparation across multiple subjects. A well-organised revision timetable helps students stay on track and makes their study sessions more efficient. 

There are so many subjects for students to focus on, particularly at GCSE level. It’s completely understandable for students to feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to begin.

That’s why it’s really important to break down study time and convert the volume of material into manageable chunks. This means the process is much less daunting and students will stay focused on the right topics at the right time. It prevents procrastination and helps them avoid last-minute cramming!

As well as this, it can be very easy to focus on one subject or topic at the expense of others. A revision timetable ensures students allocate time to all their subjects and focus on areas where they need improvement. Sometimes, students can avoid the subjects they find the most difficult, so it’s really beneficial to use revision timetables to break topics and themes down into digestible categories!

By having a clear plan in place, students can avoid the anxiety of not knowing what to study next. It gives them a sense of control over their preparation.

Now that we know the importance of a revision timetable, let’s get into how to create one!

Step 1 - Begin with a clear overview

Before you begin creating a GCSE revision timetable for students, it’s important to have a clear overview of the exam schedule. Knowing when each exam is scheduled will help ensure students prioritise their revision effectively.

Top tip -  If you are completing the activity in class, encourage students to be prepared and bring their exam timetable into school with them. You can set this reminder as a homework task to make sure students don’t forget. This will ensure they don’t miss any important dates, subjects and papers! 

Step 2 - Gather key dates

Make sure to have a list of all exam dates for each subject your students are taking. This allows them to plan backwards, ensuring that they’re prepared well in advance of each exam. Consider:

• When are the exams? Note all subject exam dates, times, and any important deadlines, such as coursework submission dates!

• Which subjects need more focus? Identify which subjects or topics students struggle with the most and need more revision time.

Top tip -  While it's tempting to schedule hours of non-stop revision, it’s crucial to incorporate breaks into the revision timetable. Research shows that taking regular breaks during study sessions enhances focus and retention. You might suggest that students use the Pomodoro Method, where they work diligently for 25-45 minutes before taking a 5-10 minute break. 

Longer breaks (15-30 minutes) can be scheduled after 2-3 hours of revision.

Step 3 - Tailor the timetable to the individual

Not all students learn the same way, so it’s essential to create a personalised revision timetable that works best for each student’s needs. You should also set realistic goals that are achievable. 

By setting small, manageable goals, students are more likely to stay on track and feel a sense of accomplishment after each study session.

Step 4 - Prioritise weaker areas 

Your students will likely have certain subjects or topics they find more challenging. The timetable should allocate extra time for difficult subjects or topics that need more attention. This can help build confidence and ensure that students feel prepared for every aspect of their exams.

If a student struggles with mathematics, they might want to devote additional time each week to practising problem-solving techniques and working through practice papers. You could go through each student and consider their assessment results, revision methods, feedback and problem areas.

This will help you understand more about the weaker areas, which means you can advise students on how to feel more confident with their focus points.

Step 5 - Incorporate revision techniques

It’s not just about time spent revising—it’s also about how students revise. Make sure they incorporate different revision techniques into their timetable, such as:

• Active recall: Testing themselves on key information rather than passively re-reading notes.

• Mind maps: Useful for visual learners and for summarising key ideas.

• Past papers: Practising past exam papers helps students get familiar with the format and timing of the exams.

• Flashcards: Great for memorising definitions, formulas, and key facts.

Remember - It’s essential to leave room for flexibility when creating a revision timetable. Life happens, and students might need to adjust their revision timetable occasionally. Whether it’s due to extracurricular activities or personal commitments, encourage students to build some flexibility into their plan. If they fall behind, suggest that they adjust their schedule rather than panic.

Did you know, with Elevate Supply, you can get access to a FREE Twinkl Ultimate Membership when you work with us? 

This means you’ll get access to top-quality resources to make life in the classroom easier. Take a look at this Twinkl resource that includes a template for how to create a fantastic Revision Timetable Template! 

Now, let’s dive into how to create the GCSE or A-Level revision timetable itself. Here are some key steps and tips:

Use a revision timetable template - 

Using a revision timetable template can help make the process smoother and more structured. Whether you create it digitally or on paper, a template can provide a visual overview of the student’s revision time. Here’s what to include:

• Dates and Time Slots: Make sure each day has allocated slots for revision, including subjects and times.

• Breaks: Schedule short breaks and longer rest periods. The Pomodoro technique (25 minutes of study, 5-minute break) is popular among students.

• Revision Goals: At the start of each session, students should note their goals for the session (e.g., “Revise World War I in History”).

• Review Periods: After a block of revision, allow time to review and consolidate knowledge before moving on to the next topic.

But Elevate Supply, where do I find a revision timetable template? Don’t worry, you can find one just below! We’ve created an example revision timetable for you to check out.

This template has been created for a GCSE student who is taking the AQA examination board. You can edit the variables to suit you, such as the assessment objectives, concepts, themes and more!

Explanation of the timetable:

1. English Literature: Focus on analysing key themes (ambition, guilt, power), characters (Macbeth, Lady Macbeth), and quotes for essay writing.

2. Maths: Cover topics like solving equations and factorising quadratics, with a focus on applying mathematical techniques (AO1).

3. Biology: Revise key biology concepts such as cell biology and organisation, as well as photosynthesis, respiration, and ecosystems.

4. English Language: Improve skills in reading comprehension, creative writing, and understanding different writing techniques (AO5).

5. Physics: Study energy transfers, work, and power, focusing on key physics concepts (AO1, AO2).

6. Chemistry: Revise atomic structure, periodic table trends, and elements. Focus on applying knowledge in questions (AO1, AO2).

7. Art: Focuses on portfolio development and final piece refinement. You'll work on creating visual pieces with strong composition and thematic relevance, backed by annotations that explain your artistic choices and processes.

8. Drama: Involves both practical and written exam preparation. For practical work, focus on rehearsing key scenes or monologues, while also exploring different performance techniques and theories from practitioners like Stanislavski and Brecht.

9. Geography: Covers physical and human geography topics, including ecosystems, natural hazards, urban issues, and UK landscapes. You should be able to apply case studies and geographical theories to explain environmental processes, human impacts, and solutions to global and local challenges.

Lastly, it’s incredibly important to remind students that revision is important, but rest and relaxation are just as crucial. Without adequate sleep, healthy meals and some downtime, all the hard work will not yield the best results. We’ve included some examples of ways for students to wind down in the timetable template. It’s important to help your students find a balance between study and self-care, ensuring they are mentally and physically prepared for the challenges of exam season.

Creating an effective GCSE revision timetable is a key part of exam success. By using a revision timetable template, incorporating personalised revision goals, and offering students the option of a revision timetable maker, you can ensure that your students stay organised and focused during their preparation.

Remember, consistency and a well-structured approach are the keys to success. Encourage your students to stick to their timetables as closely as possible, but also remind them to adjust if necessary and take care of their well-being.

A clear and manageable plan not only helps students revise effectively but also reduces the stress that often accompanies exam season.