1. Time management for exams Planning for revision and exam answers
This workshop was originally produced at the

2. Overview of the workshop Using time effectively is especially important when it comes to exams. This workshop aims to help you plan your time before and during exams. It includes:
How to make a revision timetable
Using revision time effectively
Planning and using your time in the exam room

3. What’s the big issue? Why is good time management so important now?
Time limits are central to examinations
You have a limited amount of time to revise
You have a limited amount of time to answer questions
You are under pressure to perform well, so you may try to do too much, or worry that you haven’t done enough
Good time management is about understanding what you need to do, and fitting it into the time you have to do it in

4. To start you thinking… What sort of reviser are you?
To start you thinking… What sort of reviser are you?
Perfectly planned Penny
Laid back Larry
Working in pairs:
Discuss which of these is closest to the way you revise
What is good or bad about this style of revision?

5. Different styles of revision Do what works for you
Some people like to have a detailed timetable - and stick to it
Some people prefer something more flexible
Don’t worry about what your friends do – do what works for you
Students often say they leave things to the last minute because they work better under pressure
Do you think this is true?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this approach?

6. Planning your revision Fitting things into the time available
There’s no fixed amount of time you should spend on revision – but don’t start too early, or too late
Select the topics you need to revise (can’t revise everything)
Work out how many days you have, leaving some time free immediately before the exams to practise
Plan two revision sessions each day (morning, afternoon or evening)
Divide the sessions you have by the number of topics, and allocate topics to sessions

7. Planning your revision Tips to make it work
Give more time to difficult topics if necessary
Alternate topics – helps you to make connections and stops you getting bored
Start by writing down what you know already, then fill in gaps
Don’t try to do too much – but make sure you cover enough
Keep changing learning mode – writing, reading, thinking
Don’t work 24/7 – your brain needs downtime to process information

8. Planning your revision An example revision plan for discussion
Mon 1
Mon 2
Tues 1
Tues 2
Wed 1
Wed 2
Thurs 1
Thurs 2
Fri 1
Fri 2
Sat & Sun 1
Sun 2
Wk 1
Myth
Catch-up/relax
Time off
Wk 2
Athens
Wk 3
Homer
Wk 4
Wk 5
Wk 6
practice
Athens practice
Homer practice
Myth practice
Would this suit the way you revise?

9. Using time in the exam room Work out your timings
Find out how much time you have and how many questions you have to answer
Reserve five minutes for reading the questions, and five minutes for checking through at the end
Work out how much time you have for each question - don’t forget that this should include planning time
Are your questions broken down into parts? Check how many marks for each part – it should have an impact on how long you spend on each part

10. Using time in the exam room Making quick answer plans for essays
Choose an example question and make a five minute plan
Either:
Brainstorm everything you might discuss, see what can be grouped together, choose three ideas or groups and put in order
Or:
Decide what the three most important messages are and put them in order

11. Using time in the exam room Tips to make it work
Practise writing to time – it’s a different genre to ordinary assignment writing
Stick to your timings and your answer plan as far as possible
Don’t waffle – marks are given for quality not quantity!
Time spent reading the question carefully, planning your answer, and checking through, is time well spent
It’s okay to stop and think – don’t feel you have to be writing all the time

12. What could you do if you go blank?
Working in small groups:
Discuss and make a list of possible strategies
Share with the whole group
Choose and write down one thing you will do

13. Any questions?

14. For more on time management and other study practices...
LearnHigher time management webpages
For guides and exercises on all aspects of time management
The LearnHigher network brings together the expertise and experience of 16 universities to produce research-informed support for study practices.