Two weeks until exams: a practical 14-day revision plan

With two weeks left, the useful question is not how to read everything again. It is which topics you can explain and apply, and which gaps you can still close. This plan gives each day a purpose without assuming every student has the same timetable.

Start with the exam you are actually taking

Check your official timetable, subject LMS and assessment instructions. Record the format, duration, permitted materials and topic coverage. A subject code is a starting point, not proof that an older set of notes matches this year's assessment. Put work, classes, travel and rest in your calendar before adding revision blocks.

Days 1–2: map the gaps

List the examinable topics from the current subject outline. Give each topic a small test: write an explanation from memory or attempt a representative question. Mark it green if you can do it independently, amber if you need prompts, and red if you cannot explain the method. Allocate time using both importance and the size of the gap, rather than spending every session on the topic you enjoy most.

Days 3–6: turn notes into questions

Choose a manageable topic for each block. Close the notes, attempt a question or explain the concept aloud, then reopen the material to check the result. Record the specific mistake: missing definition, wrong assumption, calculation error or weak application. Your next task should address that mistake. If you use purchased notes, compare the topics with your LMS and use them to clarify gaps; reading them is not a substitute for practising.

Day 7: review the evidence

Look at what you can now do without help. Move genuinely improved topics out of the red group. Keep a short list of repeated mistakes and carry those into week two. Leave some time unallocated so that a difficult topic or an interrupted day does not collapse the whole plan.

Days 8–11: mix topics and practise the format

Mix related topics so you have to choose the method yourself. Use authorised practice material supplied for your subject. Work within the conditions of your exam: for a closed-book exam, practise without notes; for an open-book exam, rehearse finding permitted information quickly. Review the reasoning behind each answer, not just whether the final number matches.

Days 12–14: rehearse, repair and recover

Attempt a timed block, identify the highest-value remaining fixes, and check your exam arrangements. Keep the final day lighter where possible. Prepare permitted materials and equipment, allow for travel or login time, and protect sleep. Adapt this sequence if exams overlap or you have accessibility arrangements.

A useful revision block

1. Choose one task you can finish.
2. Attempt it from memory or under the permitted conditions.
3. Check the result against reliable subject material.
4. Write the next specific correction.

For official support, see the University of Melbourne's exam preparation resources. CampusNotes is independent and is not affiliated with the university.

Need a second explanation of a topic? Search the notes catalogue by subject code, then check the preview and topic list before buying.