Study Timetable for BECE Students in Ghana

A clear study timetable removes daily guesswork and ensures BECE candidates cover all subjects and topics before exam day. This guide gives you sample weekly and daily schedules you can adapt for your child, whether they are in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Cape Coast, or any part of Ghana. The principles work for every JHS 3 student aiming for a strong BECE result.

Why a Timetable Matters for BECE

Without a plan, students often study what they like and neglect what they find hard. A timetable forces balance. It also reduces anxiety: when you know what to study each day, you spend less energy deciding and more energy learning. Parents in East Legon, Tema, Takoradi, and Ho find that a visible timetable helps the whole family support consistent study. For the full picture of BECE preparation, see our BECE preparation guide.

Principles of a Good BECE Timetable

Focus on Weak Subjects

Allocate more time to subjects where the student is struggling. If Mathematics is the weak spot, it should get more slots than Social Studies where they are already strong. Use school results or a diagnostic tool like Olearna to identify weak areas. A timetable that reflects reality beats one that treats all subjects equally.

Use Focused Blocks, Not Marathon Sessions

Most JHS students concentrate better in blocks of 45 to 60 minutes. After each block, take a 10 to 15 minute break. Long sessions without breaks lead to fatigue and poor retention. This applies whether the student is studying at home in Madina, in a library in Kumasi, or at a study centre in Cape Coast.

Rotate Subjects Across the Week

Do not try to cover every subject every day. Aim for two or three subjects per day, with different subjects on different days. Over the week, each subject should get multiple sessions. This keeps material fresh and avoids burnout on one subject.

Build in Review Time

The brain forgets quickly without review. Allocate time each week to revisit topics studied earlier. For example, if Algebraic expressions were studied on Monday, schedule a short review on Thursday and again the following week. Spaced repetition is one of the most effective learning strategies for BECE.

Sample Weekly Structure for JHS 3

Below is a template. Adjust subjects and times based on your child's school hours, energy, and weak areas. Assume school ends in the afternoon; evening study is 2 to 3 hours on weekdays and more on weekends if needed.

Weekday evening (example): 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm, Subject A (e.g. Mathematics). Break. 5:00 pm to 5:45 pm, Subject B (e.g. English). Break. 6:00 pm to 6:45 pm, Subject C (e.g. Integrated Science or Social Studies). Rotate which subjects appear on which days so that by the end of the week, every subject has been covered multiple times.

Weekend: Longer blocks are possible. For example, morning session 8:00 am to 10:00 am (two subjects with a break in between). Afternoon session 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (two more subjects). Use one weekend session for past paper practice under exam conditions. Use another for review of the week's weak topics.

Daily Timetable Example (Weekday)

4:00–4:45 pm: Mathematics (problem-solving or past questions). 4:45–5:00 pm: Break. 5:00–5:45 pm: English (comprehension or essay practice). 5:45–6:00 pm: Break. 6:00–6:45 pm: Integrated Science or Social Studies (topic revision or past questions). Next day, swap in different subjects so all are covered across the week.

When to Start and When to Revise the Timetable

Start the timetable at the beginning of JHS 3, or as soon as you decide to take BECE preparation seriously. Review it every two weeks. If the student is exhausted, reduce duration or add breaks. If a subject needs more time, adjust. If they have used a diagnostic and discovered new weak topics, reallocate time accordingly. A living timetable that adapts is more useful than a fixed one that does not match reality.

Combining the Timetable with Diagnostic Feedback

The most effective timetables are informed by data. When you know exactly which topics are weak (for example from Olearna's scoring engine), you can name those topics in the timetable instead of generic "Mathematics" or "Science." That way each session has a clear goal. Students in Obuasi, Sunyani, Koforidua, and across Ghana who combine a timetable with targeted practice see faster improvement.

What to Avoid

Do not pack the timetable so full that there is no time for rest, meals, or light exercise. Do not ignore weak subjects because they are unpleasant. Do not skip review time. Do not keep a timetable that clearly is not working; change it. And do not forget that continuous assessment runs throughout the year, so leave room for school assignments and test preparation as well. For more on balancing CA and revision, read continuous assessment in Ghana.

Parent Role in Supporting the Timetable

Parents can help by protecting the study time (minimising interruptions), ensuring a quiet space, and checking in without micromanaging. If the child has a readiness or diagnostic report, parents can help ensure the timetable reflects the recommended focus areas. For more on supporting your child, see our parent guide to BECE success.