Most IB Math students know they should revise regularly—but few know how to structure their revision effectively. Without a clear plan, it’s easy to spend too long on easy topics, avoid weak areas, or burn out before exams. A personal revision schedule turns chaos into control.
This guide will show you how to create a personalized IB Math revision schedule using RevisionDojo’s Study Planner, helping you balance consistency, efficiency, and flexibility to reach your full potential.
Quick Start Checklist
Before you start building your schedule, make sure you:
- Know your IB Math course (AA or AI, SL or HL).
- Understand your exam dates and IA deadlines.
- Use RevisionDojo’s Study Planner to organize topics and track progress.
- Have a clear list of syllabus topics to cover.
- Set realistic goals based on your current strengths and weaknesses.
Planning properly once saves hours of confusion later.
Step 1: Set a Clear Timeframe
Start by defining how many weeks you have until your exams.
Then break that time into three phases:
- Learning Phase: Strengthen understanding of all topics.
- Practice Phase: Apply concepts through questions and past papers.
- Refinement Phase: Focus on problem areas and timed mocks.
Each phase serves a different purpose, ensuring you peak at the right time.
Step 2: Identify Strong and Weak Topics
Before you schedule, assess where you stand.
Ask yourself:
- Which topics do I understand best?
- Which ones consistently cost me marks?
- Where do I feel least confident?
RevisionDojo’s Study Planner integrates progress data to help you visualize your strengths and weaknesses automatically.
Step 3: Prioritize High-Impact Topics
Not all topics carry equal weight. Prioritize those that appear most frequently in exams:
- Functions and Algebra
- Calculus (especially differentiation and integration)
- Statistics and Probability
- Geometry and Vectors
By focusing early on high-frequency areas, you’ll secure a strong foundation before tackling niche topics.
Step 4: Break Topics Into Small, Manageable Units
Avoid vague plans like “Study calculus.” Instead, break it down:
- Differentiation basics
- Chain, product, and quotient rules
- Applications: optimization, motion, tangents
Each small unit becomes a clear, achievable daily target—keeping you motivated and preventing overwhelm.
Step 5: Schedule Short, Consistent Sessions
Effective revision favors frequency over duration.
- Study 60–90 minutes per topic.
- Include 5–10 minute breaks every half hour.
- Rotate between concept review, practice, and reflection.
A structured rhythm builds retention without exhaustion.
Step 6: Alternate Between Paper 1 and Paper 2 Practice
Balance your revision evenly across both papers:
- Paper 1 (No Calculator): Focus on manual algebra and reasoning.
- Paper 2 (Calculator Allowed): Practice applications, data analysis, and modeling.
Include both in your weekly schedule to avoid over-specializing in one format.
Step 7: Use Weekly Checkpoints to Track Progress
At the end of each week, take 15 minutes to reflect:
- What topics improved?
- Which still feel weak?
- Did I stay on schedule?
The Study Planner records completion and progress automatically, showing where to adjust your focus next.
Step 8: Plan Revision Around Energy, Not Time
Everyone has peak focus hours.
If you’re sharp in the morning, schedule complex topics like calculus then.
If you focus better at night, reserve easier review sessions for that time.
Matching topic intensity to your natural energy patterns boosts efficiency.
Step 9: Include Rest and Flex Days
Your brain needs time to recover and consolidate information.
- Include at least one rest day per week.
- Keep one “flex day” open for catch-up or light review.
- Use breaks for physical movement or brief relaxation.
Sustainable schedules outperform intense, unsustainable ones every time.
Step 10: Adjust and Evolve Your Plan
Your first schedule won’t be perfect—and that’s okay.
Update it regularly based on:
- Practice results
- Exam confidence
- Time efficiency
RevisionDojo’s Study Planner makes this easy by allowing dynamic changes without losing your past progress.
Example Weekly Structure
Here’s a simple sample plan to model:
Monday: Differentiation (core rules + quick quiz)
Tuesday: Probability (conditional + tree diagrams)
Wednesday: Functions (transformations + inverse)
Thursday: Integration (applications)
Friday: Past Paper 1 practice
Saturday: Review notes and reflection
Sunday: Rest or light Flashcard review
Consistency beats intensity—every time.
Using the Study Planner for Maximum Efficiency
RevisionDojo’s Study Planner helps you:
- Build personalized weekly and monthly revision schedules.
- Balance topic coverage across Paper 1 and 2.
- Track progress, confidence, and completion visually.
- Receive adaptive suggestions based on weak areas.
- Maintain motivation through structured milestones.
It’s your digital roadmap for efficient and consistent IB Math preparation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these pitfalls when building your revision schedule:
- Planning too much per day. Leave buffer time for flexibility.
- Ignoring progress data. Always revise based on evidence.
- Skipping rest days. Fatigue destroys focus.
- Studying only favorites. Tackle weak topics first.
- Not reviewing regularly. Revisit each topic every 7–10 days.
Balance, structure, and reflection are your three keys to success.
Reflection: Your Plan Is Your Power
A revision schedule isn’t just about timing—it’s about confidence. When you see your effort organized and your progress visible, motivation grows naturally. Every small session adds up to mastery. The best students don’t rely on luck—they follow their plan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How early should I start my revision schedule?
At least 8–10 weeks before final exams to allow for spaced learning and full coverage.
2. How many hours should I study per day?
Around 1–2 hours on weekdays, with slightly longer sessions on weekends.
3. Should I include breaks in my schedule?
Yes—breaks improve focus, retention, and energy management.
4. How often should I revise each topic?
Cycle through every major topic at least twice before exams.
5. What’s the best way to track progress?
Use a progress tracker or the Study Planner’s built-in completion metrics to visualize growth.
Conclusion
A personal IB Math revision schedule turns overwhelming preparation into a structured, achievable routine. With consistent practice, balanced pacing, and regular reflection, every study session moves you closer to confidence and clarity.
Using RevisionDojo’s Study Planner, you can organize your time, strengthen weak areas, and approach your exams with calm precision.
RevisionDojo Call to Action:
Plan with purpose. Use RevisionDojo’s Study Planner to create your personalized IB Math revision schedule and study smarter every single day.
