Daily Revision Scheduler
Example data table
Sample inputs and what the schedule tends to produce. Your actual plan depends on dates, spacing, and daily minutes.
| Inputs | Value | Typical output |
|---|---|---|
| Exam window | 30 days | 20 topics learned + spaced revisions |
| Spacing pattern | 1,3,7,14 | Four recall checks per topic |
| Daily time | 120 minutes | 2–3 new topics/day with review load |
| Minutes per revision | 15 minutes | Faster sessions, more repetition |
| Weekend handling | Exclude | Weekend revisions move to Monday |
Formula used
- Learning deadline = Exam date − max(spacing offsets)
- New topics assignment: spread sequentially across learning days, capped by “Max new topics per day”.
- Revision due date = Learn date + each spacing offset
- Minutes planned = (New topics × Minutes per new topic) + (Revisions × Minutes per revision)
- Status: “Overload” if planned minutes > daily available minutes
How to use this calculator
- Set your start date and exam date, then decide if weekends count.
- Enter daily minutes you can protect consistently.
- Pick realistic minutes for new topics and revisions.
- Choose a spacing pattern like 1,3,7,14 or customize it.
- Paste your topic list, or set a topic count to auto-generate topics.
- Press Create schedule to see the plan above the form.
- Export CSV for spreadsheets, or PDF for printing and sharing.
Spacing pattern and retention
Spaced review improves long‑term recall by revisiting information after controlled gaps. The calculator applies day offsets such as 1, 3, 7, and 14 to create repeated retrieval events. Each offset becomes a due date, letting you distribute effort across the whole preparation window instead of cramming during the final week.
Daily workload planning with minutes
Each day’s planned time is computed from two unit costs: minutes per new topic and minutes per revision. Total minutes = (new topics × new minutes) + (revisions × revision minutes). If planned minutes exceed your daily capacity, the day is flagged as overload so you can reduce new topics, adjust the pattern, or increase available time.
Learning deadline and exam readiness
The learning deadline is set by subtracting the largest spacing offset from the exam date. New topics are scheduled only up to this deadline, ensuring every topic still receives the full revision cycle before the test. This protects exam readiness by converting late learning into earlier learning plus more reviews.
Topic pacing and limits
Max new topics per day caps how many fresh items are introduced, preventing revision debt. When topic volume is high, the tool spreads learning across eligible days and reports if the plan cannot fit. Lower caps increase stability, while higher caps speed coverage but can overload later days as revisions accumulate.
Weekends, buffers, and export use
If weekends are excluded, revision tasks that land on Saturday or Sunday are shifted forward to the next weekday, preserving spacing without skipping practice. Light days (well below capacity) can be used for mixed practice sets, error logs, and timed drills. Exported CSV supports sorting and filtering, while PDF is useful for printing a fixed plan. For example, with 20 topics and a 1,3,7,14 pattern, you create up to 80 revision events, so even small changes in revision minutes materially affect totals. If overload appears near the middle of the plan, lowering new topics by one per day can reduce future revision pile‑ups because fewer items enter the spaced cycle. Use the summary metrics to compare scenarios quickly before committing. This keeps your plan realistic and your recall sharp.
FAQs
1) What spacing pattern should I start with?
A common baseline is 1,3,7,14 days. It balances early reinforcement with later consolidation. If your exam is close, reduce the largest offset so every topic completes its cycle before test day.
2) Why do some days show “Overload”?
Overload means planned minutes exceed your available minutes. Revisions stack as more topics enter the cycle. Lower new topics per day, shorten revision minutes, or adjust offsets to spread reviews more evenly.
3) What happens when weekends are excluded?
If a revision falls on Saturday or Sunday, it shifts to the next weekday. This keeps you consistent with your study routine while preserving the intended spacing without dropping a review.
4) How should I estimate minutes per revision?
Use active recall time, not rereading time. For flashcards, 5–10 minutes may work. For problem sets, 10–25 minutes is common. Keep it stable so overload signals remain meaningful.
5) Can I use this for multiple subjects?
Yes. Put each chapter, concept, or skill as a separate topic line. If you prefer grouping, include tags like “Math: Functions” so CSV exports can be filtered by subject later.
6) How do I use the exports effectively?
CSV is best for sorting by date, filtering topics, and adding completion checkmarks. PDF is best for printing a fixed plan. Re-export after changing timing or spacing to keep your schedule current.