Two weeks until exams? A triage plan

2 November 2026 · 2 min read

Two weeks isn't long, but it's long enough to make a real difference if you spend it carefully. The goal isn't to learn everything. It's to get the most marks from the time you have. Think like an emergency doctor: sort what matters most, treat that first, and don't panic.

Day 1: Get the map

Collect what you need:

• The exam timetable with dates and times.
• The specification or topic list for each subject, from the exam board website or your teacher.
• Your notes and past papers.

Then write the list of topics for each subject down one side of a page.

Day 1: Rate each topic

Next to each topic, mark it:

• Green: I can do questions on this.
• Amber: I know some of it.
• Red: I don't know it or can't do the questions.

Be honest. This list is your revision plan.

Prioritise

Spend your time where it earns the most marks:

1. Amber topics that appear often are the quickest wins. A bit of work turns them green.
2. Red topics worth lots of marks next.
3. Red topics that are small or rare last.
4. Green topics only need a quick check.

Your teacher can tell you which topics are most commonly examined.

Days 2 to 10: Learn, then test

Each day, aim for three or four short sessions of 30 to 40 minutes:

• Start with a quick recall of yesterday's topic (five minutes).
• Learn or relearn one topic (use notes, a free site or a video).
• Test yourself: flashcards, a quiz or exam questions.
• Check answers and note what you missed.

Put the hardest subject first when you're fresh.

Days 11 to 13: Practice papers

Do timed questions or whole papers, mark them using the mark scheme, and fix the common mistakes. Keep your error list close, because it's what will save you marks.

The day before each exam

• Light review only: flashcards and your list of mistakes.
• Pack your bag.
• Stop at a reasonable time and get a decent night's sleep.

What to drop

You can't do everything, and that's fine. Skip making beautiful notes, drop rarely examined detail and don't start new resources. Use what you have.

Look after yourself

Eat properly, move for 20 minutes a day, and keep your bedtime. A rested brain recalls more than a tired one. If the pressure gets too much, talk to someone: a parent, a teacher or Childline on 0800 1111.

Using tools

A free AI helper can speed up the grunt work: flashcards from notes, practice quizzes and quick explanations of red topics. Use it to start sessions faster, then spend your energy on actual recall.

One more thing

Two weeks of focused effort won't fix everything. It will improve things, and every mark counts. Start with today's first topic.