Good exam preparation starts with a backward plan: You enter the exam date, divide the time before it into phases for working through material, practising and revising, and schedule fixed study blocks. If you work this way, you do not need marathon nights. This article shows how to build a study plan for an exam, what belongs in the final days and what counts on the day of the exam itself.
Key points at a glance
- Start with the exam date and plan backwards. First you work through the material, then you practise tasks, and finally you revise.
- Working on past papers under time pressure is the best test for the real thing.
- On the day before the exam you do not learn anything new. Instead, you organise your material and your route.
- If you are unsure about anything, clarify it early with the examinations office, for example about registration, permitted aids or withdrawal.
How do you start your exam preparation?
With an inventory. Gather exam dates, module descriptions and the instructions from lecturers before you write the first note. They tell you which topics are relevant to the exam and what form the exam takes.
- Check the university’s exam schedule: Date, time, room, registration deadline.
- Read the module description: Learning objectives, literature, type of exam.
- Ask lecturers whether there are priorities and whether past papers or practice exams are available.
- Clarify the aids: What is permitted (formula sheet, calculator, statute text)?
If you already find it hard to keep track of your studies during the semester, our article on organising your studies efficiently (in German) helps. If you lack the basics of self-management, you will find them under skills you need for university (in German).
How do you create a study plan for an exam?
Count backwards from the day of the exam and divide the time into three phases. First you work through the material, then you practise with tasks, and at the end you revise. The table shows an example for six weeks.
| Period | Phase | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 3 | Working through | Work through lecture notes and literature, create summaries and flashcards |
| Weeks 4 and 5 | Practising | Solve practice tasks, work on past papers under time pressure, evaluate mistakes |
| Week 6 | Revising | Go through flashcards and the error list, close gaps, no new material |
| Day before the exam | Rest | Clarify material and route, go to bed early |
Example: A study plan for Max
Max, 21, has an exam in six weeks and plans four study blocks of 90 minutes each per week, that is six hours. In weeks 1 to 3 that makes 12 blocks for working through the material, in weeks 4 and 5 eight blocks for practising, and in week 6 four blocks for revising. In total he arrives at 24 blocks, or 36 hours. If a block falls through, he moves it to a free evening. That way the plan stays workable even when things go wrong.
How to distribute the blocks in your weekly calendar is explained in our article on time management at university (in German).
What is the most effective way to study for exams?
By retrieving the material rather than just reading it through. Summarise chapters in your own words, write flashcards and explain content aloud, as if you had to teach it to someone. Which technique suits which subject is shown in our overview of study methods at university (in German).
Set priorities: Subjects that are difficult for you or carry a large share of your grade get more blocks. Break the material into small units, each with a clear goal, so that you can see your progress.
How do you use past papers properly?
Work on them under exam conditions: With a timer, only the permitted aids and without looking things up. Afterwards compare your answers with the model solution, if one exists, and note every mistake along with its cause. Did you not understand the material, make a calculation error or misread the task? This creates an error list that you revise in the final week.
If there are no past papers, ask lecturers and students in higher semesters for exercise sheets, practice exams or tasks from the literature. Questions you write yourself for each chapter are also a useful alternative.
Is a study group worthwhile before the exam?
Yes, if it is small and focused. Three or four people at a similar level are enough. Each person prepares a topic and explains it to the others, and then you quiz each other. When you explain something, you quickly notice what you still have not understood. If the group regularly drifts off topic, study the earlier phase on your own and meet only to quiz each other.
How do you organise the exam period with several exams?
Sort the exams by date and effort. Start preparing for the exam that demands the most effort, provided there is enough time for it. Schedule half a free day between two exams to switch off, and alternate between subjects in your study plan so that content does not blur together.
Especially during busy periods, small shortcuts in everyday life help. Our article on lifehacks for your studies (in German) collects a few ideas.
What belongs in the final days before the exam?
Revising, organising and relaxing. On the day before the exam, go through your summaries and flashcards once more, but do not start any new topics. Lay out pens, identity document, permitted aids and exam documents, and check your route and travel time. Go to bed early, because recovery is part of the preparation.
- Pack your identity card, student ID and permitted aids.
- Check the journey and plan a buffer.
- Skim your summaries briefly and do not begin anything new.
- Set your alarm and go to bed in time.
What do I do on the day of the exam?
Arrive on time, read the instructions on the question paper and get an overview of all the tasks before you begin. Roughly divide your time according to the marks, and start with a task you feel confident about. If you get stuck, mark the task, move on and come back to it later.
Write legibly and show your working in calculation tasks, because partial steps can also be marked. How the marking works in detail is set out in the examination regulations. After the exam, it helps to switch off and analyse the result only once the marking is done.
What helps against stress and nerves before an exam?
A fixed rhythm of studying, exercise and sleep takes much of the pressure out. Plan time for sport, friends and breaks into every week. If nervousness severely limits you in everyday life or your thoughts go round in circles, speak to the student advisory service or the psychological counselling service of your university. You will find tips on dealing with tension in our article on reducing stress at university (in German). If you have a strong fear of exams, our article on overcoming exam anxiety (in German) is worth reading.
Frequently asked questions
How do I prepare for exams if I start late?
Start with a realistic list of priorities. Focus on the topics with the largest share of the exam and on past papers, because they show what is typically asked. Skip perfect summaries and practise actively instead. Still get enough sleep, otherwise your concentration drops.
When should I start exam preparation?
That depends on the scope and difficulty. As a guide, a period of several weeks with fixed study blocks is often enough. What matters is a plan that separates working through, practising and revising. If you review material during the semester, the phase before the exam becomes much shorter.
Where can I find past papers?
Ask lecturers, the student council (Fachschaft) and students in higher semesters first. Many student councils collect protocols and practice exams. Some chairs publish exercise sheets online. Note that the tasks may differ depending on the examiner.
Should I study in a group or alone?
Both have their place. Alone, you work through the material at your own pace; in a group, you quiz each other and explain difficult topics. A small, focused group is usually worthwhile in the practice and revision phase.
What do I do if I go blank during an exam?
Breathe calmly and move on to another task. Mark the gap and come back later. The answer often returns once the pressure eases. If necessary, write down keywords for what you do know, because partial answers can earn marks.
How to proceed now
- Enter all exam dates and registration deadlines in your calendar.
- Divide the time until the exam into working through, practising and revising.
- Obtain past papers or exercise tasks and work on the first one under time pressure.
- Create an error list and go through it in the final week.
- Pack material and identity document the day before and check the route.
Related
- Overcoming exam anxiety: Tips for more success (in German)
- Study methods at university: How to learn effectively (in German)
- Checklist for the start of university: What to do before the first semester (in German)
- Time management at university: Methods for a productive routine (in German)
This article is general information, not individual advice.
Last updated: October 2026.
