Planner inputs
Example data table
| Input | Example value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Start date | 2026-02-27 | Defines the first study day. |
| Exam date | 2026-03-29 | Sets the deadline for all sessions. |
| Topics | 20 | Higher counts increase session volume. |
| Target retention | 85% | Higher targets trigger earlier reviews. |
| Daily minutes | 90 | Used as your day capacity. |
Use this table as a reference for typical settings before you fine-tune your plan.
Formula used
The planner starts with a base set of spaced-repetition intervals (in days): 1, 3, 7, 14, 30. It then scales them to match your difficulty and retention goal:
- Difficulty factor shortens intervals for harder content.
- Retention factor shortens intervals for higher target retention.
- Scaled interval = round(baseInterval × difficultyFactor × retentionFactor), minimum 1 day.
After assigning each topic a learning date, reviews are scheduled by adding the scaled intervals cumulatively. Daily minutes and max sessions are used to flag overload days.
How to use this calculator
- Set your start date and exam date, then choose buffer days.
- Enter topic count and difficulty to shape review frequency.
- Pick daily minutes, learn minutes, and review minutes.
- Set a max sessions limit to reduce context switching.
- Press calculate, then check overloaded days and notes.
- Download CSV or PDF to track progress and adjust weekly.
Why intervals outperform cramming
Spacing practice increases retrieval strength and reduces forgetting between sessions. When you revisit material after a short delay, recall becomes effortful, which builds durable memory traces. The planner converts your topic list into repeated exposures distributed across the study window. With consistent daily minutes, you can complete more total reviews without marathon sessions, and your mock‑test scores typically stabilize earlier than with last‑week repetition. In many exam-prep studies, spaced retrieval can double long-term recall compared with massed review, even when time feels very tight.
How the planner scales review gaps
The calculator starts from common interval steps of 1, 3, 7, 14, and 30 days, then scales them for difficulty and target retention. Higher difficulty compresses gaps, while higher retention targets pull reviews closer together. The resulting interval sequence is cumulative, so later reviews land farther out, matching long‑term consolidation. This method produces predictable review density and helps you compare workloads across different goals.
Capacity checks and overload flags
Plans fail when the calendar ignores realistic capacity. Each day is compared against your available minutes and your maximum session limit. If planned minutes exceed capacity, the day is flagged, letting you adjust settings before you fall behind. A review‑time target also highlights days where review minutes are too low relative to capacity. These indicators make the schedule actionable, not merely theoretical.
Using buffer days and weekend settings
Buffer days protect the final stretch for rest, logistics, and full‑length practice exams. The planner uses an effective exam date that subtracts your buffer from the actual exam date, preventing late scheduling. Weekend inclusion and the weekend multiplier let you mirror real life: keep weekends lighter, or treat them as catch‑up opportunities. This flexibility supports steady progress during busy weeks.
Keeping the plan accurate over time
After each mock, update difficulty and retention targets based on error patterns. If conceptual gaps remain, shorten review sessions but increase frequency; if speed is the issue, lengthen learn sessions and cap daily sessions to maintain focus. Export the CSV weekly and track completion, then regenerate the plan when dates or capacity shift. Regular recalibration turns the schedule into a living study system.
FAQs
How do I choose a target retention percentage?
Use 80–88% for balanced progress and practice tests. Choose 90–95% when accuracy is critical and you have enough daily minutes. If overload flags rise, lower the target slightly or increase available minutes.
What should I do if I miss a planned day?
Do not cram the missed work into one session. Resume the next day, then regenerate the plan using your new start date or reduced topic count to restore spacing.
Can I plan for multiple subjects or sections?
Yes. Treat each subject section as a topic group and increase total topics accordingly. If one section is harder, raise difficulty and shorten session lengths to keep daily capacity realistic.
Why are some days marked as overloaded?
Overload appears when planned minutes exceed your daily capacity, when sessions exceed your daily session limit, or when review time falls below your review target. Adjust minutes, sessions, weekends, or retention to balance workload.
How often should I update the plan?
Update after each mock test or once per week. If dates, capacity, or difficulty change, regenerate immediately so reviews remain correctly spaced across the remaining study window.
Will including weekends reduce overload warnings?
Often, yes. Adding weekend days increases available slots for reviews. If weekends are busy, keep them included but set a lower weekend multiplier to prevent unrealistic expectations.