How Long Do I Need To Revise For A Levels?

Wondering exactly how many hours you should be revising each day for your A Levels?. With exam season approaching, it's natural to feel anxious about whether you're doing enough - or maybe too much.

The truth is, there's no magic number that works for everyone. Your revision time depends on your subjects, your target grades, and how effectively you study. Some students panic and try to cram for 10 hours a day, while others barely scrape together a couple of hours.

This guide breaks down realistic revision timeframes for different stages of your A Level journey. You'll discover how to balance quality with quantity and create a sustainable study routine that works.

Key Takeaways

• Most experts recommend around 2 hours of daily revision for A Levels, but this varies significantly based on your year group and how close your exams are.

• The average student spends 15-20 hours revising per working week during exam season - that's roughly 3-4 hours per day including weekends.

• Quality beats quantity every single time - 2 hours of focused, active revision trumps 5 hours of mindless re-reading.

• Start with manageable amounts in Year 12 and gradually increase your revision time as exams approach in Year 13.

Why Revision Time Matters for A Levels

A Levels pack two years of complex content into challenging exams that test both knowledge and application skills. Unlike GCSEs, you can't rely on last-minute cramming.

The sheer volume of content means you need consistent, structured revision over months rather than weeks. Each A Level subject typically requires 360 guided learning hours - that's a lot to cover and consolidate.

Regular revision helps transfer information from short-term to long-term memory (opens in a new tab). When you space out your learning over time, your brain creates stronger neural pathways that make recall much easier under exam pressure. Read our guide to spaced repetition to find out more.

Consistent revision also builds exam confidence. The more familiar you become with the content and question styles, the less anxious you'll feel walking into that exam hall.

Most importantly, steady revision prevents the panic and burnout that comes from trying to learn everything in the final weeks before exams. Read more about how to avoid burnout. 

Having tutored Biology AS and A level students for many years, I have seen the students who organised themselves for a sustainable plan early on were the least stressed and the best prepared. 

How Many Hours Should You Revise in Year 12?

Year 12 is about building solid foundations and developing good study habits. You don't need to go into full revision mode yet.

• Aim for 4-6 hours per week per subject outside of lessons. This might sound like a lot, but it includes homework, coursework, and consolidating what you've learned in class.

• Focus on staying on top of your work rather than intensive exam preparation. Use this time to create good notes, complete assignments properly, and understand concepts as you go.

• Don't forget to balance study with other activities. Year 12 is important, but you should still have time for hobbies, socialising, and relaxation.

Build sustainable habits now that you can maintain and intensify later. It's better to do 30 minutes every day than 3 hours once a week.

How Many Hours Should You Revise in Year 13?

Year 13 is when things get serious. You'll need to increase your revision time gradually as exams approach. So, how long do I need to revise for A levels in Year 13?

• In autumn and early winter, aim for 6-8 hours per week per subject. This should include active revision techniques, not just passive reading.

• From January onwards, start ramping up to 2-3 hours of daily revision. This gives you several months to thoroughly review all your content before exam season hits.

• In the final month before exams, many students find 3-5 hours daily works well. This allows time for past papers, final reviews, and addressing weak areas.

Remember, this is total revision time across all subjects, not per subject. If you're studying three A Levels, divide your time strategically based on your confidence levels and exam timetable.

How Much Should I Revise in Exam Season?

During study leave, most students manage 6-8 hours of focused revision per day, including proper breaks and meals.

This isn't 8 straight hours of studying. Break it down into manageable chunks - perhaps 2-hour sessions with proper breaks between them.

Balance different types of revision throughout the day. Mix past papers with content review, active recall with note-making, and individual study with group sessions.

Don't neglect rest, exercise, and proper meals. Your brain needs fuel and recovery time to function effectively. Pulling all-nighters usually makes performance worse, not better.

Quality remains more important than quantity, even during exam season. Eight focused hours beat twelve distracted hours every time.

Quality vs Quantity of Revision

Active revision techniques like past papers, flashcards, and teaching others are far more effective than passive re-reading. Read Save My Exams articles on different revision methods.

Research consistently shows that testing yourself (active recall) (opens in a new tab) and spacing out your revision over time beats cramming or highlighting notes.

Use structured revision resources to make your time count. Save My Exams offers past papers, revision notes, and topic-specific questions that target exactly what you need to know to get started.

Check mark schemes and examiner reports regularly. Understanding what examiners want helps you revise smarter, not harder.

Set specific goals for each revision session. "Revise Biology" is too vague. "Complete three past paper questions on photosynthesis and check answers" is much better.

Take regular breaks and change your environment. Your brain needs variety to stay focused and engaged.

Subject-Specific Revision Time

• STEM subjects (Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology) need heavy emphasis on past paper practice and problem-solving. Spend at least 60% of your revision time working through questions.

• Essay subjects (English, History, Psychology, Sociology) require different skills. Balance content knowledge with essay planning, structure practice, and timed writing.

• Languages need consistent daily practice. Even 20 minutes of vocabulary or grammar work daily beats 3-hour weekend sessions.

If you're taking mixed subjects, adapt your daily schedule. You might do Maths problems in the morning when you're fresh, then switch to English essay planning later.

Consider your natural energy patterns. Some people focus better on challenging Maths early in the day, while others prefer starting with lighter reading.

How Early Should I Start Revising for A Levels?

Start serious revision about 3 months before your first exam. This gives you time to cover everything without panic.

However, "revision" should really be an ongoing process throughout your A Level course. Regular review prevents the mountain of work from becoming overwhelming.

Create a revision timetable that works backwards from your exam dates. Map out all your topics and allocate realistic time to cover everything.

Don't wait until after Christmas to start thinking about summer exams. The students who perform best usually begin structured revision during the autumn term.

Remember, starting early means you can afford to take breaks, handle unexpected challenges, and still feel prepared.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 2 Months Enough Time to Revise for A Levels?

Two months can work if you're already on top of your content and can commit to around 2 hours daily. However, this timeline requires very focused, efficient revision with no time for major gaps in knowledge. Most students find 3-4 months more manageable and less stressful.

Do I Need To Revise For A Levels Daily?

Daily revision isn't essential, but consistency matters more than intensity. Five 90-minute sessions per week often works better than three 3-hour marathons. The key is maintaining momentum and preventing knowledge from fading between study sessions.

How Many Hours Do Top Students Revise for A Levels?

High-achieving students focus on quality over quantity, often using active recall, past papers, and spaced repetition rather than just logging hours. Many top students do 6-8 hours of focused daily revision during exam season, but they make every minute count through effective techniques and consistent effort throughout their course.

Your Path to A Level Success

The magic isn't in hitting a specific number of hours - it's in finding a sustainable routine that works for your life and learning style.

Start with realistic targets that you can actually achieve. Better to do 90 minutes consistently than aim for 4 hours and give up after a week.

Focus on active revision techniques that test your knowledge rather than just reviewing it. Use resources like Save My Exams past papers and revision notes to structure your sessions effectively.

Remember, everyone's different. Some people need more time, others need less. Pay attention to your own progress and adjust accordingly.

Most importantly, don't sacrifice your physical and mental health for extra study hours. A well-rested, confident student often outperforms an exhausted perfectionist.

Your A Level journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself, stay consistent, and trust that steady progress will get you to your goals.

References 

• BBC Bitesize: Long term memory (opens in a new tab) 

• Active recall strategies and academic success (opens in a new tab)