Build a colour-coded weekly timetable for school, college or study, then print it or save it as a PDF.
Giving every subject equal time feels fair, but it’s rarely smart. A subject you find easy and that counts for little doesn’t need the same hours as a heavily weighted subject you’re struggling with. Here’s a simple way to divide your week.
Step 1: Score each subject
Rate each subject from 1 to 3 on two factors:
- Weight: how much it counts toward your result (1 = low, 3 = high)
- Difficulty: how hard it is for you right now (1 = confident, 3 = struggling)
Multiply them to get a priority score from 1 to 9.
| Subject | Weight | Difficulty | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Physics | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Chemistry | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| English | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Computer Science | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 25 |
Step 2: Share out your hours
Work out your total weekly study hours, say 15 hours, and divide in proportion to priority:
Subject hours = Total hours × (Priority ÷ Total priority)
| Subject | Share | Hours / week |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 9 / 25 | 5.4 → 5½ h |
| Physics | 6 / 25 | 3.6 → 3½ h |
| Chemistry | 6 / 25 | 3.6 → 3½ h |
| English | 2 / 25 | 1.2 → 1¼ h |
| Computer Science | 2 / 25 | 1.2 → 1¼ h |
The arithmetic is easy with the percentage calculator: Mathematics gets 36% of your time.
Set a minimum
Give every subject at least 1–2 sessions a week, even low-priority ones, so nothing is forgotten entirely.
Step 3: Spread sessions across the week
Convert hours into sessions, for example 50-minute blocks, and spread them out:
- High-priority subjects: 4–6 sessions across different days
- Medium: 3–4 sessions
- Low: 1–2 sessions
Avoid stacking the same subject back-to-back for hours. Spaced sessions beat marathon ones for retention. Put the highest-priority subjects in your peak-focus hours.
Lay it out in the time table maker; matching subjects get the same colour automatically, so you can see the balance at a glance.
Step 4: Adjust as exams approach
Re-score every few weeks. As exam dates get closer:
- Increase weight for subjects with the earliest exams.
- Lower difficulty scores as topics become comfortable, freeing time for weaker areas.
- Shift toward practice tests and past papers in the final 3–4 weeks.
For timed MCQ practice, use the negative marks calculator to see how your real score changes with negative marking.
Signs your balance is off
- You keep avoiding one subject. It probably needs smaller, more frequent sessions, not more hours.
- One subject’s mock scores stay flat despite lots of hours. Change how you study it, not just how long.
- You’re exhausted by Thursday. Total hours are too high; cut 10–20% and protect rest.
Quick template
- List subjects.
- Score weight × difficulty.
- Divide weekly hours in proportion.
- Give each subject at least one session.
- Spread sessions across days; hardest in peak hours.
- Review every 2–3 weeks.
For building the timetable step by step, see How to Make a Study Timetable That You'll Actually Stick To. To make each block count, read Time Blocking for Students: Plan Your Week in Blocks, Not Lists.
Build a colour-coded weekly timetable for school, college or study, then print it or save it as a PDF.