Creating the Ultimate GCSE Revision Schedule: A Parent’s Guide

Educo London
May 5
3 min read

Updated: May 6

With GCSE exams starting on May 8th, many families are feeling the pressure. Whether your child has been revising for weeks or is now facing the reality of exam season, it’s not too late to bring some structure and calm into their routine.

At Educo London, we work closely with students and parents to help them stay on track, academically and emotionally. Here’s how you can support your child with a realistic, focused revision schedule in these final weeks.

🗓️ Step 1: Check the Exam Dates & Build Backwards

Start by listing your child’s upcoming GCSE exam dates. You can find them on the school website or exam board site (AQA, Edexcel, OCR). Once you know what’s coming up first, build your revision plan around it.

Focus first on exams happening in the next 7–10 days, then work backwards to map a GCSE revision schedule later papers.

🔍 Step 2: Prioritise the Right Subjects

Ask your child:

Which subjects do you feel least confident in?
What did your mock or class assessments reveal?
Are there any gaps in content or notes?

Encourage them to rate each subject red, amber, or green:

🔴 Red = urgent attention
🟠 Amber = needs some revision
🟢 Green = just needs a recap

This method ensures they’re using time wisely instead of re-revising topics they already know.

📅 Step 3: Structure Short, Focused Revision Sessions

In the final weeks, less is more, but consistency is everything. Use 25-minute revision blocks with 5-minute breaks (Pomodoro technique).

Example Daily Plan:

Time	Subject	Task
4:00–4:25	English Lit	Essay planning
4:30–4:55	Maths	Practice questions
5:00–5:25	Science	Flashcards or summary sheets

Encourage mixing subjects each day. Avoid cramming one subject for hours at a time.

📦 Step 4: Final Week GCSE Revision Schedule Tips (What Works Best Now)

In the days leading up to exams:

Focus on past papers – replicate exam timing where possible
Do quick-fire quizzes – especially for science formulas, quotes, or key facts
Teach the topic – if they can explain it clearly, they know it well
Do “1 thing well” daily – revise 1 weak topic thoroughly each day

✅ Step 5: Exam Day Checklist for Parents & Students

Help your child prepare the night before each exam:

📌 Pack: 2 black pens, pencil, calculator, ID (if needed)
🕗 Know the location and start time
🧘 Get 8 hours sleep and a good breakfast
🚫 Keep phones away from the exam room!

A calm, organised morning can make all the difference.

💬 Your Role as a Parent

You don’t need to become a tutor or exam expert. Your role is to:

Keep routines steady
Check in with empathy (not pressure)
Celebrate small wins
Help them reflect after each exam without judgement

🧠 Bonus: Supporting Their Mindset

Exam season is about more than just memory recall, it’s emotional too. If your child is anxious or discouraged:

Remind them of past successes
Encourage small breaks and movement
Help them visualise the end goal (summer!)

And if they need more structured help, Educo tutors are here to support both academic prep and mindset coaching.

🎓 Final Word

GCSE exams are a big moment, but with the right plan, your child can move through them with more confidence and less stress.

At Educo London, we help students build smart study habits, improve focus, and manage stress, with tutors who understand both the curriculum and how teenagers think.