Working backwards from a deadline · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Plan backwards from the exam date

Learning to Learn · Learning to Learn · ages 15-16
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. On 9 July, travel is 16:00-16:30, dinner 16:30-17:00 and rest 17:30-18:00. The only study window is 16:00-18:00; all other needs are allowed for. Which 30-minute chemistry entry fits without moving these activities?

    • 9 July, 16:00-16:30: check four chemistry answers
    • 9 July, 17:30-18:00: check four chemistry answers
    • 9 July, 17:00-17:30: check four chemistry answers

  2. What does a backwards revision plan start from?

    • The topic that seems easy today
    • The exam date or other deadline
    • The chapter with the most pages

  3. Every hour left after school, travel, sleep, meals and clubs is automatically available for revision.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. A school event runs 10:00-12:00 and duties at the same venue run 11:00-13:00. These overlap. Within 10:00-15:00, how many hours are unallocated to either activity? Allowances for other needs have not yet been made.

    Answer: ______________

  5. Sam has six usable revision hours. Required tasks need six hours; optional repeats of secure work add four more. Which change fits the budget without cutting required tasks?

    • Remove the four hours of optional repeats
    • Keep all ten hours and finish work faster
    • Remove four hours of required study tasks

  6. Why might Amira place a topic needing help early in her revision plan?

    • It makes missed study sessions impossible
    • It leaves time to seek help and try again
    • It guarantees she earns the highest marks

  7. The exam moves one week earlier. What should you do first when revising the plan?

    • Update the deadline and rebuild backwards from it
    • Cut difficult topics before checking usable hours
    • Keep the old dates, even those after the exam day

  8. The exam is 18 May. A topic needs an attempt, help, a retry and a final review, in that order, all before the exam. Which dated plan fits?

    • 8 May help; 10 May attempt; 13 May retry; 16 May review
    • 8 May attempt; 10 May help; 13 May retry; 19 May review
    • 8 May attempt; 10 May help; 13 May retry; 16 May review
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Plan backwards from the exam date W1-mt_DrdBx9c0pf-s1

  1. 9 July, 17:00-17:30: check four chemistry answers · 17:00-17:30 is the remaining 30-minute gap. The other entries overlap travel or protected rest.
  2. The exam date or other deadline · Fix the deadline first, then place review and earlier practice tasks before it.
  3. False · Other work, chores, breaks and rest may still need time. Unallocated hours are not all usable revision hours.
  4. 2 · The activities together occupy 10:00-13:00, or three hours. The five-hour window therefore has 5 - 3 = 2 unallocated hours.
  5. Remove the four hours of optional repeats · Removing four optional hours leaves the six required hours, which fit the six usable hours.
  6. It leaves time to seek help and try again · An early attempt can leave time before the exam for help and another attempt. It does not guarantee attendance or marks.
  7. Update the deadline and rebuild backwards from it · Use the new deadline as the endpoint, then refit tasks and check remaining usable time and priorities.
  8. 8 May attempt; 10 May help; 13 May retry; 16 May review · The plan ending with the 16 May review keeps the tasks in order: attempt, help, retry and review. Every stage is before 18 May.
Worksheet · LightMySky