How to Create an IGCSE Revision Timetable

Preparing for your IGCSEs can feel overwhelming, especially with multiple subjects to balance alongside school, extracurriculars, and social commitments. 

A well-structured revision timetable will help break your workload into manageable chunks, keep you organised and focused, and reduce exam anxiety.

This guide explains why a good timetable matters, when to start building one, and gives you a step-by-step plan to create a schedule that works for you.

Key Takeaways

Start your revision timetable early: Planning 2-3 months before your first exam gives you time to cover all subjects steadily, but even a few weeks of structured revision is better than none. Adjust the intensity as exams get closer, with more focus on testing and practice questions at the end of your revision time.

Prioritise weaker subjects while maintaining balance: Allocate extra time to subjects and topics you find most challenging, but continue reviewing stronger ones regularly to keep knowledge fresh.

Be specific and realistic with your plan: Break subjects into smaller topics. Be specific about which subject and topic you are going to revise each day and make sure the hours you plan are achievable alongside school, extracurriculars and rest.

Include breaks and flexibility to stay consistent: Short breaks help you stay focused, and catch-up slots prevent you falling behind. A timetable that adapts to your progress is easier to maintain and keeps motivation high.

Why a Good Revision Timetable Matters

A revision timetable is more than just a diary or calendar. It is a structured plan to ensure you spend adequate time revising every subject. Instead of last minute cramming, a timetable should help you to work steadily in the run-up to your exams and track your progress so you know what subjects and topics to focus on.

Without a timetable, students often fall into two traps: either focusing only on their favourite subjects and those they find easiest, or leaving all their revision until the very last moment. Both approaches make exams more stressful and lead to weaker results. A timetable puts you in control and helps you revise with purpose.

When Should You Start Creating Your Timetable?

The best time to start is 2–3 months before your first exam. This gives you plenty of time to revise at a comfortable pace and build in opportunities for reviewing subjects and topics you are weaker in. 

Your revision timetable doesn’t need to look the same throughout. If you’re starting your revision 3 months or more before your exams, scheduling shorter revision sessions and spending more time creating, finding and organising revision notes will be beneficial. 

As you get closer to your first exam, your revision sessions should get longer and closer together, and more time should be spent testing your knowledge and completing practice questions. Close to your exam, your timetable should also focus on high-priority topics and areas where you are weakest.

Whenever you begin, the key is consistency. Even a few weeks of structured revision are better than trying to work without a plan.

Step-by-Step: How to Build Your IGCSE Revision Timetable

Step 1 – List All Your Subjects and Topics

Start by writing down all of your subjects. Then, using your syllabus or textbook, break them down into topics and even smaller sub-topics. Creating this comprehensive list will ensure you don’t miss anything off your revision timetable.

When creating your timetable, it’s best to be specific about which subjects and topics you are going to revise when. For example, instead of just writing “Biology Revision”, in your timetable, be specific about which topic and/or sub-topic you are revising, like “Biology: Evolution (Natural Selection)”. Use your checklist to check you’ve made time to review all topics and sub-topics in your revision timetable.

Step 2 – Calculate Available Time

Work out how many weeks you have left before exams start and how many hours you can realistically revise each day. Think about school hours, homework, meals, sports, part-time jobs and rest.

On weekdays, 1–2 hours of focused revision after school may be possible and at weekends, you may be able to manage 3–5 hours spread across the day. 

Shorter, regular sessions are more effective than one long block of study, so avoid the temptation to cram.

Step 3 – Prioritise Subjects Based on Your Strengths

To decide which subjects need to be prioritised, look back on your mock exam results, your teacher’s feedback and your recent homework and test scores; those with the weakest recent results should be your focus. 

If there is a subject or topic you find particularly challenging, it’s advisable to schedule time in your timetable for multiple reviews and extra practice completing past papers.

Although weaker subjects will likely need more time spent on them, stronger subjects shouldn’t be ignored, so make sure you’ve scheduled time in your revision timetable to revise all of them. Use your subject and topic checklists to ensure you haven’t missed anything off your revision timetable.

Make sure to pair your revision timetable with active revision techniques for maximum effectiveness. 

Learn about the most effective active revision techniques with this article: What is Active Recall & Why is it so Effective for Revision?

Step 4 – Choose a Timetable Format

Decide whether to create a digital or paper timetable. There are benefits to both tools, so which one’s best for you will depend on your preferred study style. 

Digital tools, such as Google Sheets or revision apps, are easy to edit, transport and share, and can send daily reminders. Paper timetables are distraction-free and visible at a glance on your desk or wall. 

Whatever tool you choose to use, colour coding by subject or topic can make your timetable clearer. Make sure to also track your progress on your timetable by crossing off revision slots and days.

Step 5 – Add Breaks and Flexibility

Short breaks are essential for staying focused during revision, so make sure to include regular rest breaks in your timetable. 

Many students follow the Pomodoro technique, working for around 25 minutes then taking a five-minute pause. 

It is also sensible to include catch-up slots once or twice a week so you have time to make-up missed revision. Timetables that are too rigid can be harder to stick to, so it is best to include some flexibility in your timetable to prevent you losing motivation and feeling like you’re ‘falling behind’.

Staying focused, even with rest breaks in your timetable, isn’t always easy. For extra tips and ideas for staying focused, check out this article on 10 proven strategies for maintaining focus.

Step 6 – Review and Adjust Regularly

Revisit your timetable every week. If you find some topics take longer than expected, give them more time in your timetable. If you’re ahead, spend your extra time completing practice papers or essays under timed conditions. 

Signs that you need to adjust your timetable include struggling to keep up, feeling burnt out, or noticing frequent gaps in your knowledge even after revising something. Think of your timetable as a living plan that evolves as exams get closer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to balance subjects in my timetable?

Mix different subjects across the week so you don’t spend too long on just one area. Weaker subjects deserve more attention, but stronger ones still need regular review to stay fresh in your memory. Focusing on a mix of stronger and weaker subjects will also help prevent you from becoming demotivated during your revision.

How early should I start revising for IGCSEs?

3 months before exams is the ideal time, but even starting 4–6 weeks before can make a real difference. Focus on high-value topics if you are short on time.

Should I revise every subject every week?

Yes. Even if you only spend a short amount of time on stronger subjects, including them ensures knowledge stays active. Aim to touch on every subject at least once per week.

Final Thoughts

A clear and realistic revision timetable is one of the best tools for preparing for IGCSE exams. By breaking subjects into smaller topics, balancing weaker and stronger areas, and reviewing all subjects regularly, you can reduce stress and approach exams with confidence. 

Remember, a timetable should support you, not restrict you. Stay flexible and consistent, and use it alongside other effective revision methods such as past papers and flashcards. 

Explore Save My Exams’ IGCSE revision resources, where you’ll find revision notes, exam-style questions, past papers, mock exams and more to help boost your grades.