How to Study for an Exam in One Week: 7-Day Review Plan

If there's only a week until your exam, you might be feeling stressed out and not sure where to start. Fortunately, a week can be plenty of time to get ready for a test! Keep reading for a recommended 7-day study plan, plus tips on how to plan your study schedule and review your materials effectively (with pointers from professional test prep experts). Keep scrolling to get ready to ace your next test!

Studying a Week Before an Exam: Best Tips

Organize your materials and make a study plan 7 days before the test. Review your most difficult material and quiz yourself 4 to 6 days before the exam. Re-review difficult topics 2 to 3 days before the tes, then use your last day to do some light review and get a good night’s sleep.

Section 1 of 5:

7-Day Study Plan

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7 days before the exam: Survey the material. Review your notes to figure out what areas or topics you struggle to learn. Then, create a to-do list based on the priority of the topics you want to study. For example, under Math, you could write, “Math/Algebra: Real Numbers, Linear Equations, Functions.” If you plan on using any study tools, like maps, diagrams, or sources, make a note of that as well. Decide on any helpful study strategies you want to use, like an agenda, a time management tool, or practice tests. Make a plan to study for 1-2 hours each day leading up to the test (2 hours is ideal).^{[1]
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- Identify what areas need the most work, and plan to attack those areas in the next few days.
- Organize the topics to study from the most important to the least important.
- The total time you should study in a 7-day period is approximately 10-14 hours.
- Test prep specialist Katherine Demby believes you should “Set a certain schedule, so that you are studying most days out of the week. Set an amount of time per day that's not going to lead to burnout. You want it to be an efficient amount of time. You want to feel energized at the end of your study session, so that you feel motivated to do this on a daily basis.”^{[2]
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4 to 6 days before the exam: Review coursework and test yourself. Review any assignments and rewrite them as necessary for memorization. Self-test yourself on both the chapter and lecture notes so you don’t lose any of the important details along the way. Utilize any study guide questions you have in your textbook or workbook, and try to explain the concepts you’re learning out loud (from memory).^{[3]
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- It’s a good idea to study with a friend at this point so you can help each other through the main part of the studying process.
- Attend a review session or make an appointment with your professor, teacher, or TA if you need 1-on-1 attention regarding a specific area.
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Continue to study the material thoroughly and backtrack if you feel unsure about any areas or topics. Whether with a study group or on your own, ask yourself questions that may appear on the exam and see how well you can answer them. The idea is to review the material completely at least 3 times in 7 days, so you feel confident about taking the test.^{[4]
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1 day before the exam: Do a light review and relax. Do a light final review of the material, but then simply put it away and get a good night’s sleep. Your memory recall will do a lot better if you spend the night before your exam in a relaxed state.^{[5]
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- Try not to focus on anxious feelings, but instead think clearly about the concepts you have a deeper grasp of now.

Section 2 of 5:

Preparing a Study Plan

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Schedule 1 to 2 hours of study sessions for each day of the week. Finding time to study for a test without cramming can be challenging, but it’ll be easier if you plan ahead. Go over your schedule for the week and identify pockets of time you can use for studying. You don't have to do it all at one time, so it's okay to create a study schedule with several short sessions. Mark these times in your agenda or calendar so you won’t forget.^{[6]
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- You can use a paper agenda or your phone’s calendar.
- Try to study for your exam at least 1 hour every day so you can really learn the material and memorize the notes for a test. You may want to study longer than that each day if you need more time to review the material.
- If you have the same daily schedule, you might plan your study sessions for the same time, like every day from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. You could also split up the sessions, such as 6:00 to 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 to 5:45 p.m.
- If your schedule varies, plan around your daily events. You might study on Monday from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m., Tuesday from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 to 7:45 p.m., Wednesday from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m., etc.
- Spread out your study sessions so you can do a little bit at a time. This can help you manage stress before test day.
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Organize your class materials so it’s easy to pull them out. You don’t want to waste any of your study time looking for stuff. Organize your notes by keeping your textbook and notes you’ve taken both inside and outside of class together. Additionally, keep your pens, pencils, highlighters, and a notebook handy.
- If you always study in the same spot, such as a desk in your bedroom, keep your study materials in this area. Try to keep your desk organized so you know where everything is.
- If you like to study on the go, keep your materials together in a book bag.
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Consider making flashcards to help you memorize information. Flashcards are super helpful for studying things like vocabulary, facts, and processes. Create your flashcards using index cards or cut squares of paper. Write a term, question, or date on 1 side, then write the answer on the other. You can also print out pre-made flashcards from online.^{[7]
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- Carry your flashcards with you during the week before the test. This way, you can pull them out and shuffle through them when you have a few spare moments.
- You can find pre-made flashcards on the website Quizlet.
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Don’t try to cram at the last minute. You’re probably super busy, so you may feel like you don’t have time to study. However, waiting until the night before your test will set you up for failure. It’s really hard to memorize a lot of information in a short period of time, so study a little each day over the week before the test so you have time to learn the material.^{[8]
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- You probably know people who brag about cramming for a test, but don’t take their word for it. Just do what’s best for you.
- Don’t wait until the night before a test to start studying. Studying at the last minute means you likely won’t be able to retain much of what you study, and you’ll probably stress yourself out. Instead, study a little at a time over the entire week before your test.
- Keep your study routines in place until you take your exam. Making sudden changes to the way you’re studying can affect how well you retain the information you’re looking at.

Section 3 of 5:

Best Review Strategies

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Examine the review sheet if your teacher provided one. A review sheet will typically cover all of the information that’ll be on the test, so use it to your advantage. Go over the sheet to see what material you need to learn. Reference your review sheet before each study session to check your progress.
- If your teacher provides a list of terms or information you need to memorize, use the review sheet to create flashcards.
- Your review sheet might include example test questions. If so, use your text and notes to answer the questions.
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Focus on studying high-yield content. High-yield content is important content that is likely to show up on your exam; it’s called “high yield” because it has high-yielding results. Look for topics that show up frequently in your textbook, course notes, and on any practice test you’ve taken. After you feel confident about this material, your knowledge and understanding when taking the exam will be at its most comprehensive.^{[9]
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- Academic tutor Jennifer Kaifesh suggests “trying to highlight key words or concepts and, whenever possible, organizing your notes in a clear, structured way. Even better, record lectures on your phone and type up notes after class when you have time to hit ‘pause’ and search confusing terms or concepts as you go.”^{[10]
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Read important texts aloud to help you remember them. Reading aloud may help deepen your understanding of the text. Go back over your text to review areas you highlighted in your first reading or passages you didn’t understand. Read these parts of the text aloud to help you process them.
- Do this while you’re studying at home or somewhere you can be alone.
- If you have a study group, you could all take turns reading the passages aloud.
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Summarize your readings to help you identify the main concepts. Chances are, your test will cover the key concepts you learned about a topic. Fortunately, writing a summary helps you find these key concepts so you know what to study. After you read a section of text, summarize it in your own words in your notes.
- You might write something like, “Each governmental body has separate powers, and they can all check each other’s powers. This allows for checks and balances.”
- Reader Poll: We asked 439 wikiHow readers and 51% of them agreed that the most effective study guide format is a summary sheet. [Take Poll]
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Expand on your notes and past assignments to create a study guide. Create a personalized study guide early in the week so you can use it during later study sessions. Start by rewriting your notes. As you do this, expand on them and fill in any gaps using your text and online resources, if you need them. Then, add questions and answers from your review sheet and past class assignments.^{[11]
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- Type up your study guide if that’s easier for you. You might also try handwriting the study guide with different colored pens.
- You could also get questions from your textbook. Often, there are questions at the end of a reading or chapter.
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Do a practice test a few days before the exam to check your progress. Taking practice tests helps you check your mastery of the content and identify areas you still need to study. Treat your practice test like the real thing. Time yourself, rely only on your own knowledge, and do your best. After you grade the practice test, spend extra time studying material you struggled with.^{[12]
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- Use your past quizzes and assignments to create your own practice test.
- If your instructor has released past copies of the test, use them as practice tests.
- You can also look up the topic online with the words “practice test” to get a sample exam.
- Demby agrees on the benefits of taking a practice test. “When you're starting to study for a test, the first thing to do is to take a diagnostic test, just to see where you're performing, where you need to improve, and how you can pinpoint any particular problems, sections, or types of questions you’re struggling with.”^{[13]
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Ask someone to quiz you over the material to test your knowledge. Sometimes it’s helpful to have someone else check your understanding of the content. Give your review sheet, study guide, and flashcards to a friend or family member. Have them randomly ask you questions about the material, then do your best to answer them.^{[14]
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- If you get an answer wrong, write down the question so you can go back over the material again before the test.
- Studying with a friend might also make it more fun! Just make sure your study group stays on task.
- Demby suggests that one of the best ways to remember what you’re studying is to “Practice active recall through taking quizzes. Testing yourself is one of the most effective ways to improve.”^{[15]
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Consider starting a study group so you can learn from each other. Studying with friends can be both fun and beneficial. Invite your friends to a group study session at the library, a coffee shop, or your home. Share your notes and try to learn from each other.^{[16]
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- You might plan to meet once or twice during the week before the test. For example, you might schedule a group study session on the Saturday before the test.
- Take turns teaching each other the material. This will deepen everyone’s understanding of the coursework.
- Go over each person’s notes to see if there are things that some of you missed. This can provide a more in-depth review of class discussions.
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Review online tutorials if you’re struggling with the material. Don’t worry if you’re having trouble understanding your course material because you still have time to learn it. Take advantage of academic resources online. Watch video tutorials and read free study guides to help increase your knowledge.^{[17]
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- Try the Khan Academy for free tutorials. You can also check YouTube and sites like Sparknotes.
- If your school offers free tutoring, attend the sessions offered during the week before your test to get help with the material.
- Talk to your teacher if you’re having trouble understanding the material. They may offer to tutor you before or after school.

Section 4 of 5:

Tips to Make Studying Fun & Effective

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Pick a quiet, comfortable place to study. You don’t need a special spot to study, but it’s easy to create a study space. All you need is a quiet place with a table where you can spread out your materials. Identify a place where you feel comfortable studying before your study session starts. Additionally, ask people around you to not disturb you.^{[18]
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- At home, you might study at a desk in your bedroom or at the kitchen table.
- You could also try a coffee house, the library, or even a picnic table outside.
- Test prep specialist Tracy Yun suggests that you should initially “concentrate in a very quiet place, but later study in a less quiet place to get used to the type of distraction there might be in a test center.”^{[19]
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  Tracy Yun, MBA
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Remove distractions from your study space. It’s super easy to get distracted, so do your best to avoid potential distractions. Start by decluttering the space so you have a clear spot to study. Then, turn off your TV and silence your phone so you won’t be tempted by them. If you’re not using your computer to study, turn it off, as well.^{[20]
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- If you use your computer to study or feel tempted by your phone, use apps and websites that temporarily block your access to social media. For example, try Offtime, BreakFree, Flipd, Moment, or AppDetox. This way, you won’t be tempted to give in to distraction while you’re studying.^{[21]
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- Distractions can quickly derail your studies. Avoid the temptation to turn on the TV, check your phone, or play video games during your breaks, especially while you’re studying.
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Take a 10 to 15-minute break every hour so you don’t get mental fatigue. You probably want to maximize your study time, so you may feel guilty about taking breaks. However, breaks will actually help you stay more focused during your study sessions. Plan to take at least a 10-minute break each hour you study.^{[22]
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- For example, you might study for 45 minutes, then take a 15-minute break. Come back and study for another 45 minutes.
- Similarly, you might study for 30 minutes, take a 10-minute break, and then study for another 30 minutes.
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Be active during your study breaks to boost your energy. Get up and move around during your study breaks. Even a short burst of exercise can improve your study routine by getting your blood pumping, which can help you focus better. Try going for a short walk, dancing to your favorite songs, or doing calisthenics.^{[23]
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- For instance, you might do some jumping jacks, push-ups, and squats.
- If you have a dog, consider taking it for a walk.
- Create a short 10-to-15-minute playlist of upbeat songs if you want to dance.
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Choose healthy snacks to help you stay focused. Eating healthy snacks while you study can help you enjoy your study sessions more. However, pick the right snacks so your brain is performing at its best. Here are some great options for study snacks:^{[24]
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- Fruit, like apple slices, grapes, or orange slices
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Greek yogurt
- Veggies and dip, like carrots and hummus or broccoli and ranch dressing
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Listen to music so studying is more fun. Studying can feel like a chore, but listening to music may help. Music can relax you and might help you enjoy studying, at least a little bit. In general, listening to instrumental, classical, or music with nature sounds is best while studying. However, it’s okay to listen to whatever music helps you concentrate.^{[25]
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- Create a music playlist for your study sessions with songs that inspire you.
- Songs with lyrics can be distracting. If this is a problem for you, look for instrumental songs in your favorite genre. You can easily find pop, rock, hip hop, and experimental songs that don’t have lyrics.

Section 5 of 5:

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the 2 3 5 7 study method? The 2 3 5 7 method is a study technique that focuses on revisiting study material at increasing intervals. First, you study a topic and then review it again on days 2, 3, 5, and 7. The idea is to increase your memory and learning by counteracting the process of forgetting what you studied, so you can do well on any tests and exams you take.^{[26]
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Can I study 3 days before an exam? Studying 3 days before an exam doesn’t allow for as much time to absorb the material, but it can work if you have a structured study schedule and take time to go over topics you need more help with. It’s enough time for you to prioritize the material and focus on your weaker areas so you’re able to prepare for your exam.^{[27]
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How do you cram for a final in a week? Cramming is not the most effective method when it comes to studying, especially if you only study for the exam in one day. If you cram to study for finals, taking a week is a good amount of time to do it. The important part of cramming is using active recall, prioritizing key concepts, and creating a study guide. It’s also helpful to take breaks, study in a distraction-free environment, and pace yourself.^{[28]
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Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Do you want to make your studying more efficient, learn more quickly, and remember more information? Check out these expert articles.

1

Study For Exams

2

Study So You Can Remember Everything

3

11 Simple Tips to Create the Ideal Study Space

4

Create Good Study Habits for Exams

5

Learn Without Forgetting

6

Retain Information when You Study for a Test

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I don't know how to manage my study timetable for eighth year. How can I make a time table for study?

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Study three subjects a day and spend one hour for each subject. Study the ones which you feel are the hardest. In this way, make a timetable according to the three subjects. Maths is a must every time.

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How can I decide which subject to study first for exams?

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Study the subjects which you feel are the hardest first, and give them the most time. Then study the subjects you like best. Circle back to the harder subjects again at the end to make sure you remember everything.

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How can I prepare for everything in only one week?

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First read the material casually and complete all the chapters. The second reading should be quicker, focusing on key points. Mostly you will have to recall what you studied the first time. If your reading speed is faster than normal you will need five days maximum.

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