How to Study for Multiple Exams in One Week (or Two on the Same Day)
When you have several exams in one week, as in most finals weeks, don't study for them one after another in date order. Split your time by what each exam needs from you, study two subjects a day instead of one, and give the day before each exam mostly to that exam. And sleep every night, because there is another exam tomorrow.
Step 1: map the week
Put every exam in one table: the date, how much it counts toward your grade, and how ready you are today. Without that table, the nearest exam always looks the most urgent, even when it is the easiest.
| Exam | When | How ready | Hours I need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics | Monday | Partly | 10 |
| Intro to Economics | Wednesday | Well | 5 |
| Calculus | Friday | Not at all | 14 |
An example. Your numbers will differ.
Step 2: which exam to study for first
The order isn't set by the date alone but by how much work each exam needs. In the example, calculus is the last exam of the week but needs the most hours, so you start it on day one, alongside statistics. Economics, which you already know well, gets less time and mostly review.
Why not finish one subject and then move to the next? Because study spread over several days stays in memory better than the same time crammed into one. It is one of the most robust findings in memory research, from a meta-analysis of hundreds of experiments. Cepeda et al., 2006.
Step 3: a sample weekly schedule
The week before the example above. Two subjects a day, a day before each exam that mostly belongs to it, and one full day off:
| Day | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | Statistics | Calculus |
| Thursday | Calculus | Statistics |
| Friday | Statistics, a past exam | Calculus |
| Saturday | Rest | Rest |
| Sunday | Statistics, going over mistakes | Statistics summary sheet |
| Monday | Statistics exam | Rest, light economics review in the evening |
| Tuesday | Economics, a past exam | Calculus |
| Wednesday | Economics exam | Calculus |
| Thursday | Calculus, a past exam | Calculus, mistakes and summary sheet |
Notice that calculus, the hard exam, shows up almost every day. That way it gets the hours it needs without any single day being only calculus from morning to night.
Two exams on the same day, or back to back
- Prepare for both in the days before, not the evening before. The evening before is only for the two summary sheets.
- In the break between exams, eat something, drink, and read the second exam's summary sheet once. Don't start anything new.
- Don't compare answers on the first exam. It won't change your grade and can hurt the second one.
Two exams on the same day: is it allowed?
At university it is allowed, but many institutions have rules that protect students when exams fall too close together. For example, according to the University of Haifa student union (in Hebrew), two exams in required courses on the same day or on consecutive days can entitle you to a special exam date, as can two exams on the same day with less than 4 hours between them. Rules differ between institutions, so check your exam regulations or your student union, and contact the registrar before exam season.
Israeli high schools have fixed limits: according to Kol Zchut (in Hebrew), grades 7 to 12 may have no more than one assessment a day (an exam, a quiz or an assignment) and no more than three a week.
After each exam
The exam is over and out of your hands. Take an hour or two of real rest, then move to the next subject. Spending the evening dissecting what you wrote for question 3 costs you an evening of studying for the next exam.
Focusity can build this schedule for you: add all your exams, and the app books study sessions for each subject into your free hours by date and difficulty. If a day falls apart, it re-plans the rest of the week.
Build my plan — freeFrequently asked questions
How do you study for multiple exams in one week?
Put every exam in one table with its date, weight and how ready you are, and split your time by what each exam needs, not only by date. Study two subjects a day, give the day before each exam mostly to that exam, and sleep every night.
Should I study one subject per day or several?
Usually two a day is better. Study spread across several days stays in memory better than the same time crammed into one, and the hard exam gets time almost every day. The exception is the day before an exam, which mostly belongs to that exam.
Which exam should I study for first?
Not necessarily the nearest one. Start with the exam that needs the most work relative to the time left, and study it alongside the nearest exam. An exam on material you already know well gets less time, mostly review and a past exam.
What should I do if I have two exams on the same day?
Prepare for both in the days before, and on the evening before only go over the two summary sheets. In the break between exams, eat, drink and read the second exam's sheet once, without comparing answers on the first. Some universities let you ask to move an exam in this case, so check the regulations.
How do I study for multiple exams at the same time?
Study two subjects a day rather than one, so each exam gets time almost every day, and split the hours by what each exam needs rather than by date alone. The day before an exam mostly belongs to that exam. Keep one table of all your exams with dates, weights and how ready you are, and update it after each exam.
Are two exams on the same day allowed?
At university, yes, but many institutions have rules for exams that fall too close together. At the University of Haifa, for example, two exams in required courses on the same day or on consecutive days can entitle you to a special exam date. Rules differ between institutions, so check your regulations or your student union. In Israeli high schools, grades 7 to 12 may have at most one assessment a day and three a week.
How early should I start studying when I have several exams close together?
It depends on how many exams are close together and how much you already know. With three exams in one week, start at least a week before the first one, because there is almost no time to catch up on material during the week itself. For planning further ahead, see our exam study plan guide.
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