The Ultimate Year 11 GCSE Maths Revision Timeline (Clear, Month-by-Month Plan for Parents)
- Bradley
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Year 11 is when everything becomes real for GCSE students — but it doesn’t have to be stressful or chaotic. The key to strong results is following a structured, predictable timeline that builds knowledge gradually, closes gaps early, and avoids “panic revision.”
Here is the clearest, most actionable Year 11 GCSE Maths revision schedule — perfect for parents who want to support their child without overwhelming them.
September – Rebuild Confidence + Identify Gaps
By September, your child has likely forgotten topics from Year 10. This is normal — and fixable.
What to do:
Complete a diagnostic test (past paper or a mini assessment).
Identify the top 3–5 weak areas.
Build a simple revision plan around those weaknesses.
Use short, focused sessions (20–30 minutes).
Why it matters:
Starting with a clean understanding of strengths and gaps prevents wasted time later. September is the foundations month.
October – Relearn the Weaker Topics Properly
October should focus on rebuilding the exact skills identified earlier.
What to do:
Pick one topic per week.
Follow: example → guided practice → independent practice → exam question.
Revisit core skills:
Percentages
Algebra basics
Ratio
Negative numbers
Fractions & decimals
Why it matters:
If your child masters these early, Year 11 becomes dramatically easier.
November – Start Light Exam Practice
This is when your child should begin integrating exam-style questions.
What to do:
Do mini exam sections, not full papers yet.
Complete small sets:
5–10 algebra questions
4–6 geometry questions
A short non-calculator section
Begin timing some tasks to build confidence.
Why it matters:
It introduces exam-style pressure without overwhelming them.
December – Consolidate + Build a Workable Routine
December is about shoring up confidence before the holidays.
What to do:
Revisit the topics that were still difficult in November.
Complete 1 full past paper (slow pace, open book allowed).
Create a revision timetable for January–May.
Why it matters:
By Christmas, students should feel like they have a plan — not panic.
January – Full Past Papers Begin (Exam Season Mode)
January is when revision becomes more consistent and structured.
What to do:
Complete 1–2 full past papers per week.
Mark them with the official mark scheme.
Keep a log of mistakes and misunderstood questions.
Continue practising weaker topics in between papers.
Why it matters:
This is the single biggest improvement phase of the year.
February – Fixing Mistakes + Increasing Exam Speed
February is all about troubleshooting what isn’t working.
What to do:
Redo every question lost on each paper.
Focus heavily on:
Showing working
Long-answer reasoning
Calculator efficiency
Accuracy under time pressure
Build speed by timing sections.
Why it matters:
Most grade increases happen here — students start connecting the dots.
March – Intensive Exam Practice + Technique Refinement
March is where high-confidence students separate themselves from overwhelmed students.
What to do:
2–3 full papers per week where possible.
Alternate: Paper 1 → Paper 2 → Paper 3 → repeat.
Deep dive into:
Exam technique
Trick questions
Multi-step problems
Applying skills across topics
Why it matters:
This month solidifies exam stamina and technique.
April – Final Gap-Busting + High-Impact Topics
April is not the time to learn everything — only the topics that matter most.
Focus on high-value skills such as:
Percentages
Ratio & proportion
Equations
Graphs
Trigonometry
Area/volume
Transformations
Statistics basics
What to do:
Prioritise re-attempting the exact topics they consistently lose marks on.
Redo papers from earlier in the year to measure progress.
Why it matters:
This is the polishing month — not the panic month.
May – Exam Final Prep (Peak Performance)
May is the final stretch. Stress is normal, but structure helps massively.
What to do:
Do exam papers under full timed conditions.
Focus on:
Showing every step
Clear working
Checking calculator inputs
Managing time effectively
Review the mark schemes instead of re-learning YouTube videos.
Why it matters:
Your child should be walking into exams feeling prepared, not guessing.
Final Exam Week – Confidence, Calm, Technique
During the actual exam week:
Remind your child:
Write formulas.
Show steps even if unsure.
Don’t leave blanks.
Use estimation.
Use diagrams for geometry.
Read questions slowly.
One good exam technique can win 5–10 marks — which can be the difference between grades.
Want a Structured, Guided Year 11 Revision Plan?
If you’d like your child to follow this timeline with expert support, personalised teaching, regular feedback, and weekly progress tracking, you can explore my tutoring options here:
I can also create a printable revision timeline or monthly checklist if you'd like!