FocusFlow LabDon’t study in exam order
The common mistake is studying for the first exam until it’s over, then starting the second. By then the third has no time left. Spread your study across every exam from the start, with more time for the ones that are sooner or harder.
Weigh each exam
Give each exam a weight from two things: how much work it needs, and how much the grade matters. A heavy subject where you’re borderline gets the most hours. A light one where you’re safe gets the least. The final grade calculator tells you where you’re safe.
The study schedule maker does this split for you: add each subject, its exam date and how much work it needs, and it shares out your daily hours, with more time for the exam that comes first.
Mix subjects in the same day
Study two or three subjects each day instead of one. Mixed practice feels harder while you’re doing it, but it leads to better results on the test. In one study, students who mixed different kinds of maths problems scored far higher a week later than students who practised one kind at a time.
Switch focus as exams pass
The day before each exam, give it most of your time and keep the others ticking over with short recall sessions. After the exam, drop it completely and move its hours to the next one.
Keep each day realistic
- Plan in focus blocks, for example four to six blocks of 45 minutes with breaks.
- Start each day with a short review of yesterday’s topics, from memory.
- Stop at a set time. Sleep is when today’s studying sticks.
Source: Rohrer, D., & Taylor, K. (2007). The shuffling of mathematics problems improves learning. Instructional Science, 35(6).