OC Weekly Practice Schedule — Build Your Daily Routine (2026)

1. Using these practice guidelines

These are starting points, not prescriptions. Every child learns differently, and every family has different commitments. Use these guidelines to build a routine that actually works for your situation.

Before you start

These weekly schedules assume you've already chosen your overall timeline approach. If you haven't, start with choosing your monthly timeline first — that will help determine whether you need a steady, accelerated, or intense weekly rhythm.

How to customise

• Start with our sample schedule, then adjust based on your child's response
• Track what works — does your child prefer morning or afternoon practice? Shorter daily sessions or longer weekend blocks?
• Build around existing commitments — school events, sport, music lessons, family time
• Use the blank calendar to create something uniquely yours

2. Setting up your study space

A consistent, well-organised study space helps your child get into the right mindset for practice and reduces distractions.

Essential setup (15 minutes to organise)

• Good lighting — preferably natural light or a bright desk lamp
• Minimal distractions — away from TV, siblings' play areas, or high-traffic zones
• Space to work out calculations on paper — have scratch paper and pencils readily available
• Near an outlet — for reliable device charging during longer practice sessions

Device setup

Use a laptop or desktop with a decent screen size. Turn off notifications during practice time. iPads can work with an external mouse and keyboard, but avoid phones for practice sessions.

3. Types of practice sessions

Understanding when to use each type of practice helps you build an effective weekly rhythm without overwhelming your child.

Mini-tests (15 minutes/10 questions)

Your daily practice backbone. These target specific skills within each component (e.g., fractions in Maths, pattern recognition in Thinking Skills). Perfect for weekday practice when time is limited.

• When to use: Daily practice, targeting weak areas, building confidence
• Follow-up: Spend 5 minutes reviewing explanations for any incorrect answers

Single-section complete tests (~40 minutes)

For building depth and stamina. A full Maths, Reading, or Thinking Skills component under timed conditions. Use these 1-2 times per week to practise pacing within each subject area.

• When to use: Weekend practice, monthly progress checks, after several mini-test sessions
• Follow-up: Spend 30 minutes reviewing all questions and explanations together

Full tests (Reading + Thinking Skills + Maths back-to-back)

For stamina and test-day simulation. All three components in sequence, just like the real test. These are monthly checkpoints, not weekly practice.

• When to use: Monthly milestone checks, final preparation phase
• Follow-up: Review performance patterns, identify which components need more focus

4. Weekly rhythm patterns

Your weekly schedule should balance consistent practice with adequate rest and reflection time.

Foundation phase rhythm

When you're starting out or building baseline familiarity:

• 3-4 days per week: Mini-tests focusing on one component per session
• 1 day per week: Diagnostic testing to establish baseline and identify weak areas
• Weekend: Light review of explanations, no new testing

Core skills development rhythm

When you're building competency and depth:

• 4-5 days per week: Mini-tests rotating between components
• 1-2 days per week: Single-section complete tests for stamina building
• 1 day per week: Review day — go over recent test explanations together

Final preparation rhythm

In the weeks leading up to test day:

• 4-5 days per week: Light practice — mini-tests in strongest areas for confidence
• 1 day per week: Complete practice test simulation
• Final week: Rest well, light review only, focus on test day logistics

5. Adapting to your timeline phase

Your weekly practice should align with your overall monthly timeline. Here's how to adapt the rhythm based on your chosen approach.

Steady timeline (9+ months)

• Longer foundation phase: Spend 2-3 months on 3-4 practice days per week
• Gentle progression: Add single-section tests only after mini-tests feel comfortable
• Natural breaks: Take full weeks off during school holidays

Accelerated timeline (6 months)

• Compressed foundation: Move to 4-5 practice days within the first month
• Consistent momentum: Maintain practice during holidays with lighter sessions
• Earlier single-section tests: Introduce full component testing by month 2

Intense timeline (3 months)

• Immediate routine: Start with 5-6 practice days per week from week 1
• Strategic targeting: Focus heavily on identified weak areas rather than broad coverage
• Quick progression: Move to single-section tests within 2-3 weeks

6. Download: 4-Week Practice Calendar (PDF)

Get both the sample schedule and blank calendar to build your personalised weekly routine.

Includes sample schedules for foundation, core skills, and final prep phases, plus a blank calendar for customisation.

• How do I know if I need to adjust these weekly guidelines?

  These are starting points, not rigid rules. Adjust based on your child's confidence, available time, and how they respond to practice. If they're feeling overwhelmed, reduce frequency. If they're breezing through, add challenge or move to longer test formats.
• What's the difference between mini-tests, single-section tests, and full tests?

  Mini-tests are 15 minutes/10 questions focusing on specific skills. Single-section tests are full 40-minute components (Maths, Reading, or Thinking Skills). Full tests are all three components back-to-back like test day.
• How often should we do full practice tests?

  Use full tests as monthly checkpoints, not weekly practice. They're for building stamina and pacing, not daily skill building. Focus on mini-tests and single-section tests for regular practice.
• What if my child can't stick to a daily routine?

  Consistency matters more than intensity. Even 15 minutes three times a week is better than irregular longer sessions. Use the blank calendar to plan around your actual schedule, not an ideal one.
• Should practice always be timed?

  Yes, timing builds familiarity with test pressure and helps develop pacing skills. However, review sessions (going over explanations) should be untimed and thorough.

Sources & acknowledgements

• Black, P., & Wiliam, D. — Assessment and Classroom Learning (formative feedback and learning): Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice
• Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. — Improving Students' Learning With Effective Learning Techniques (spaced practice effectiveness): Psychological Science in the Public Interest
• Ericsson, A., & Pool, R. — The Cambridge Handbook of Expertise and Expert Performance (deliberate practice research): Cambridge University Press
• Hattie, J. — Visible Learning: A Synthesis of Over 800 Meta-Analyses Relating to Achievement (visible progress and learning motivation): Routledge
• Spielberger, C. D., & Vagg, P. R. — Test Anxiety: Theory, Assessment, and Treatment (practice testing and anxiety reduction): Educational Psychology Review