Study Timetable for WASSCE Students in Ghana

A clear study timetable ensures WASSCE candidates cover the syllabus, practise past questions, and target weak areas before exam day. This guide gives you sample weekly and daily schedules you can adapt, whether your child is in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Cape Coast, Takoradi, or any part of Ghana. The same principles work for every SHS 3 student aiming for strong WASSCE grades.

Why a Timetable Matters for WASSCE

WASSCE covers many subjects and topics. Without a plan, students often drift toward what they like and neglect what they find hard. A timetable forces balance and ensures every subject gets attention. It also reduces anxiety: when you know what to study each day, you spend less energy deciding and more energy learning. For the full picture, see our WASSCE preparation guide.

Principles of a Good WASSCE Timetable

Prioritise Weak Subjects and Programme Requirements

Allocate more time to subjects where the student is struggling and to subjects required for their target university programme. Use mock results or a diagnostic tool to identify weak topics. A timetable that reflects actual gaps and goals beats one that treats all subjects equally.

Use Focused Blocks

Most SHS students concentrate best in blocks of 50 to 60 minutes. After each block, take a 10 to 15 minute break. Long unbroken sessions lead to fatigue. This applies whether studying at home in Cantonments, in a library in Kumasi, or at a study centre in Tamale.

Include Past Question Practice

Past questions are essential for WASSCE. Schedule at least two to three sessions per week for timed past paper practice. Use other slots for syllabus-based revision and targeted work on weak topics. For strategies on using past questions, see our best WASSCE study tips.

Build in Review Time

Schedule weekly review of previously studied topics. Spaced repetition improves retention. If you studied a topic on Monday, briefly review it later in the week and again the following week. This is especially important for content-heavy subjects.

Sample Weekly Structure for SHS 3

Assume school ends in the afternoon. Evening study could be 2.5 to 3.5 hours on weekdays, with longer blocks on weekends. Adjust to your school hours and commitments.

Weekday evening (example): 4:00 pm to 4:50 pm, Subject A (e.g. Mathematics). Break. 5:00 pm to 5:50 pm, Subject B (e.g. English). Break. 6:00 pm to 6:50 pm, Subject C (e.g. Biology or Economics). Rotate subjects so that by the end of the week every subject has been covered. Designate one or two evenings per week for past paper practice under exam conditions.

Weekend: Morning 8:00 am to 10:30 am (two subjects with a break). Afternoon 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm (two more subjects or past paper). Use one longer slot for weak-topic revision based on diagnostic or mock feedback.

Daily Timetable Example (Weekday)

4:00 to 4:50 pm: Core subject (e.g. Mathematics or English). 4:50 to 5:00 pm: Break. 5:00 to 5:50 pm: Second subject (e.g. Science or elective). 5:50 to 6:00 pm: Break. 6:00 to 6:50 pm: Third subject or past questions. Rotate which subjects appear on which days so all are covered across the week.

When to Start and When to Revise

Start at the beginning of SHS 3, or as soon as you commit to structured WASSCE preparation. Review the timetable every two to four weeks. If the student is overwhelmed, reduce duration or add breaks. If new weak areas emerge from mocks or diagnostics, reallocate time. A timetable that adapts is more useful than a fixed plan that no longer fits.

Using Diagnostic Data to Refine the Timetable

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 "Chemistry," you might slot "Organic chemistry reactions" or "Stoichiometry." That way each session has a clear goal. Students in Accra, Kumasi, Cape Coast, and across Ghana who combine a timetable with targeted practice see stronger 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. Do not skip past question practice. Do not forget continuous assessment: leave room for school assignments and internal exams. For more on how CA affects WASSCE, read continuous assessment in Ghana.

Parent Support

Parents can help by protecting study time, ensuring a quiet space, and checking in without micromanaging. If the child has a readiness or diagnostic report, use it to confirm the timetable is focused on the right areas. For more, see our parent guide to WASSCE success.