MBA Foundation & Exam Strategy
Time Management – Study Notes
1️⃣ Simple Explanation
Time management in an MBA context is the skill of planning, prioritising and allocating your hours so that you complete all required study tasks, meet deadlines, and still leave time for rest and revision.
Think of it as a budget – you have a fixed number of hours per day and you must decide how to “spend” them on reading, notes, practice cases, group work, and relaxation.
2️⃣ Key Points
| Category | What to Do | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| a. Set SMART goals | Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time‑bound objectives per study session | Gives clear direction and a sense of progress |
| b. Prioritise tasks | Use the Eisenhower Matrix (Urgent/Important) | Prevents wasting time on low‑impact activities |
| c. Create a realistic schedule | Block 60–90 min focused study periods + 10‑15 min breaks (Pomodoro) | Maintains concentration and reduces fatigue |
| d. Use planning tools | Google Calendar, Trello, Notion, or a simple Excel sheet | Keeps all dates, deadlines and study blocks visible |
| e. Allocate “buffer” time | Add 10–15 % extra for unexpected events | Reduces panic if something runs over |
| f. Manage exam day | 1) Arrive early 2) Scan the exam 3) Allocate time per section 4) Stick to the plan | Keeps you from losing time on a single question |
| g. Review & adjust | At the end of each week, analyse what worked / didn’t | Continuous improvement of your system |
| h. Avoid multitasking | Focus on ONE task at a time | Improves depth of learning and reduces errors |
| i. Self‑care | Sleep 7–8 h, eat balanced meals, short walks | Sustains cognitive performance |
3️⃣ Worked Example
Scenario
- Exam: 3‑hour case study.
- Preparation window: 3 days (72 h).
- Goal: Read core material, create a concise outline, practice a similar case, and revise key concepts.
| Time Block | Activity | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 – 08:00 – 10:00 | Read textbook chapters 1–3 | 2 h | Focus on understanding frameworks |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Break | 15 min | Short walk, hydrate |
| 10:15 – 12:00 | Summarise notes (outline key points) | 1 h 45 min | Keep it concise |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch + rest | 1 h | Avoid screens |
| 13:00 – 15:30 | Practice similar case | 2 h 30 min | Time yourself, write in exam format |
| 15:30 – 15:45 | Break | 15 min | Stretch |
| 15:45 – 17:00 | Review practice case, note errors | 1 h 15 min | Focus on weak areas |
| 17:00 – 18:00 | Light reading (case examples) | 1 h | Keep it low‑pressure |
| 18:00–02:00 | Dinner + leisure | 8 h | Allow brain to consolidate |
| 02:00–04:00 | Flashcards / quick quiz | 2 h | Short, high‑intensity review |
| 04:00–05:00 | Wind‑down, plan next day | 1 h | Reflect on progress |
Day 2 – Similar structure but with deeper focus on weak areas, timed full‑length practice, and a revision session at 20:00 – 21:00.
Day 3 – Light review, final practice case, create a “bullet‑point cheat sheet” (allowed), and ensure you sleep 7 h.
Exam Day
- Arrive at the venue 30 min early.
- Scan the case: 3 min.
- Allocate 90 % of time to writing answers, 10 % to double‑checking calculations.
- Use the 1‑minute “check‑in” after each section to stay on track.
4️⃣ Quick Revision Summary
| Tip | Action |
|---|---|
| Plan ahead | 1 week before, chart all key deadlines and study blocks |
| Set priorities | Daily “Top 3” tasks that must get done |
| Use Pomodoro | 25 min study + 5 min break (or 50/10) |
| Keep a buffer | 15 % extra time in your schedule |
| Review weekly | 10 min at week’s end: what worked, what didn’t |
| Practice under time | Simulate exam conditions at least twice a week |
| Stay healthy | Sleep, nutrition, short walks |
| Avoid multitasking | One task, one focus |
| Exam‑day ritual | 3‑min scan, time allocation, 1‑min check‑in per section |
Remember:
Time management isn’t about squeezing more into a day; it’s about deliberate allocation of your limited hours so that learning is efficient, stress is reduced, and exam performance is maximised. Use the tools, keep the schedule visible, and adjust as you learn what works best for you.
Good luck, and happy studying!