Spaced repetition
schedule calculator
Turn your topics and exam date into a day-by-day review plan. Free, no signup, and ready for your calendar.
Make room for recall.
Change any field. Your plan updates automatically.
One topic per line, up to 40. Keep each small enough for a 30-minute first session.
Used to flag busy days, not to hide extra work.
Topics stay in this browser tab. Download the plan before leaving.
Your review plan
Your example plan will appear here. Choose your dates and topics to make it yours.
Keep the plan moving on your iPhone.
Set up your topics in Spaced Repetition Tracker, log how each review felt, and let future dates adapt to your recall.
Free to download. Premium features available.
How this exam study schedule works
Learn each topic once, then return to it after a delay. The calculator uses review offsets of 1, 3, 7, 14, and 30 days from the first session. It keeps only reviews that fit before your exam and adds a final recall session on your last available study day.
For example, if you first study a topic on November 1 and your exam is November 20, the review dates are November 2, 4, 8, 15, and a final recall on November 19. These are offsets from the first session, not gaps added after each review.
First sessions are spread across the first half of your study days, leaving the rest for recall. When weekends are excluded, a review moves to the next available weekday. Coinciding reviews are combined. Your time budget flags overload; it does not change the review intervals.
Use each review to test what you remember
Before opening your notes, explain the topic aloud, sketch a process, or answer a practice question. Check the source afterward and repair the gaps. If a review is unexpectedly difficult, return sooner instead of treating the exported dates as fixed rules.
Research supports distributed practice, while the most useful spacing depends on the retention goal and material. This tool offers a transparent starting schedule, not a prediction of your memory or exam result. Read the distributed practice meta-analysis or our guide to active recall and spaced repetition.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a spaced repetition schedule before an exam?
Enter a start date, exam date, and one topic per line. This calculator spreads first study sessions across the first half of your available study days. It adds reviews 1, 3, 7, 14, and 30 calendar days after each first session, wherever they fit before the exam, plus a final recall session on the last study day.
Are 1, 3, 7, 14, and 30 days the best review intervals?
They are a practical starting pattern, not a scientifically optimal schedule for everyone. Useful spacing depends on the material, your recall, and how long you need to remember it. Shorten the gap after a difficult review and extend it when recall is strong.
Does this calculator use SM-2 or Anki’s algorithm?
No. This free calculator uses fixed intervals so you can see and export a clear initial plan. Spaced Repetition Tracker’s Smart Algorithm uses SM-2 to adjust future reviews based on your session difficulty. A fixed calendar cannot respond to how well you remember.
What happens when I have too much to study?
The estimate allows 30 minutes to learn each topic and 10 minutes for each review. Days above your daily budget are flagged, including the final recall day. Nothing is silently dropped to make the plan look manageable. Start earlier, reduce your topic list, or allow more time. Break large topics into smaller units and adjust these estimates to your own pace.
Can I skip weekends or use a very close exam date?
Yes. If weekends are excluded, reviews move to the next available weekday before the exam. Reviews that land on the same day are combined for each topic. The exam day stays free. With only one study day available, there is no room for spaced reviews; the result says so.
Can I add the plan to Apple Calendar or Google Calendar?
Download the .ics file, then open it with Apple Calendar or import it through Google Calendar’s Import & export settings on desktop. Each study day becomes an all-day event listing its topics. Exporting again does not automatically update an earlier import; use a separate calendar if you expect to replace the plan.
Is the planner free, and are my topics saved?
The planner is free, with no account or signup. Your topic list is calculated in your browser and is not sent to a server or saved by this tool. Download your calendar before leaving or reloading the page. The iPhone app is free to download, with premium features available.