Effective revision is about more than just putting in the hours. To ensure you’re using your time wisely and making steady progress, it’s important to structure your revision sessions. The Revision Clock is a useful framework for organising your study time, dividing it into three key stages: Review, Practice, and Check. Each stage is designed to help you consolidate your understanding, apply your knowledge, and identify areas where you need further improvement.

The Revision Clock: Structure Your Study Time

Stage 1: Review (¼ of Your Revision Time)

Why Review?
The first stage is about refreshing your memory on the material you’ve learned. This is your opportunity to re-familiarise yourself with key concepts, definitions, and ideas before putting them to the test.

How to Use This Stage:

• Spend 15 minutes (if you’re revising for 1 hour) reviewing what you’ve previously learned. Start by reading through your notes or textbooks, or summarising the key points.
• Use Active Recall: Rather than passively reading your notes, actively try to recall what you’ve learned. This strengthens your memory and helps you identify any gaps in your knowledge.
• Mind Mapping or Making Notes: Try creating a mind map of the topic, or make bullet-point notes summarising the key facts. These visual techniques can help solidify your understanding and help you spot any areas where you need to focus more.

Tip: After reviewing, take a moment to step back and reflect on how much you already know. This will give you confidence and help you feel less overwhelmed.
 

Stage 2: Practice (½ of Your Revision Time)

Why Practice?
Now that you’ve reviewed the material, it’s time to apply what you’ve learned. Practice is key to mastering a subject, as it helps you get comfortable with exam-style questions and develop problem-solving skills.

How to Use This Stage:

• Spend 30 minutes (if you’re revising for 1 hour) doing practice exam questions or applying your knowledge to problems.
• Use Past Papers or Question Banks: Use past exam papers or online question banks to simulate real exam conditions. This gives you the chance to practise under time constraints and understand the types of questions that may come up.
• Practice in Different Formats: If your subject involves essays, try writing responses. For subjects that require calculations or problem-solving (e.g., maths or science), practise doing the questions step by step.

Tip: Don’t just focus on the questions you find easy. Push yourself to tackle the more difficult topics to identify where you might need extra revision.
 

Stage 3: Check (¼ of Your Revision Time)

Why Check?
After completing practice questions, it’s important to mark your answers and assess your performance. This is the stage where you get to see what you’ve done well and where you still need to improve.

Tip: Keep a log of your mistakes and areas for improvement. This will allow you to track your progress and focus on areas that need the most attention.

By following the Revision Clock, you’ll structure your revision effectively, giving yourself the best chance of success. This approach balances reviewing the material, applying your knowledge, and assessing your progress.