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An Easter revision plan that works

From the week before Easter there are seven weeks until the first GCSE exam on Monday 10 May 2027. Here is a simple plan that uses the methods research rates most useful.

Written by the Brainhub Editorial Team Cites published research Updated 31 Oct 2026 5 min read

Key takeaways

1. Why Easter matters

Easter Sunday is 28 March 2027. From the week before, there are seven weeks until the first GCSE exam on Monday 10 May. The exams finish on Friday 18 June, and A-levels on Tuesday 22 June.[1]

The Easter holidays are often the last long stretch of free time before the exams. School holiday dates vary by council and school, so check yours. Used well, these two weeks can make a real difference.

2. What the research says

In 2013, a team of psychologists led by John Dunlosky reviewed ten study techniques that students often use. They rated how useful each one was across different ages, subjects and tests.[2]

Only two were rated highly useful: practice testing (answering questions from memory) and distributed practice (spreading revision out over days and weeks). Five, including rereading, highlighting and summarising, were rated low.[3]

How useful (Dunlosky and others, 2013)
Techniques out of 10
High
2
Moderate
3
Low
5

3. A simple four-step Easter plan

Keep the plan on one page. Your child should help to write it, so it feels like theirs.

Plan it simply. Test, rest, repeat.

Map the topics

List the topics for each subject. Mark each one red, amber or green. Start with the reds.

Short sessions

Two or three focused blocks a day, with real breaks in between, beat one long day at the desk.

Test, don’t reread

Use past questions, flashcards, or write down everything they remember on a blank page, then check.

Keep rest days

Take Easter Sunday off, and one day each week. Rest helps memory and keeps the plan going.

4. How you can help

You don’t need to know the subjects. Ask your child to teach you one topic, or read out flashcard questions. Notice effort, not just marks. Keep meals, sleep and screen-free time steady.

Come back to each topic a few days later, then a week later. That spacing is what makes revision stick.

Want a plan for each subject?: Our qualified teachers can build an Easter plan around your child’s exam boards, online or in person. Book a free call.

Try it now

Test yourself on this page

Answer in your head first, then check.

  1. 1. When is the first GCSE exam in 2027?

  2. 2. Which two study techniques were rated most useful in the 2013 review?

  3. 3. How did the review rate rereading and highlighting?

Your next steps

  • Sit down together and list the topics for each subject.
  • Mark each topic red, amber or green.
  • Put the rest days in the plan first.

Subject guides to go with this

Want one-to-one help? See how our online lessons work.

Sources

  1. Joint Council for Qualifications. Key dates, June 2027 examination series (first common-timetable exam 10 May 2027; GCSEs end 18 June). jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Key_Dates_June2027_FINAL.pdf
  2. Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J. and Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students’ learning with effective learning techniques. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4–58. doi:10.1177/1529100612453266
  3. Association for Psychological Science. Which study strategies make the grade? (2013 press release on Dunlosky and others). psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/which-study-strategies-make-the-grade.html

This guide is general study advice. Every student is different. A teacher can help you work out what fits.