How to use this calculator
- Enter or choose study hours planned.
- Enter or choose revision buffer.
- Enter or choose hours already studied.
- Enter or choose hours per study day.
- Enter or choose study days per week.
- The weeks needed at your pace updates as you type. Use Copy result or Share to keep it.
Method
Remaining = Planned × (1 + Buffer%) − Done; Weeks = Remaining ÷ (Hours per day × Days per week); Needed per week = Remaining ÷ Weeks until exam
- Buffer
- extra time for revision and practice exams
Worked example
- Plan = 150 × 1.10 = 165 hours; minus 30 done = 135 left.
- Pace = 2.5 × 6 = 15 hours a week, so 135 ÷ 15 = 9 weeks.
- With 8 weeks left you need 135 ÷ 8 = 16.88 hours a week, 1.88 more than now.
At 15 hours a week you need 9 weeks, one more than you have; studying about 17 hours a week gets you ready in 8.
What the result means
If you are behind, adding one study day often helps more than longer sessions, which tend to be less effective.
Assumptions and limits
- You keep the same pace every week.
- Recommended hours vary by background; experienced candidates may need far fewer, newcomers more.
Questions
How many hours do certifications take?
It varies widely. Use the hours recommended by the certification body or your course provider, then adjust for your experience.
Why add a buffer?
Practice exams, revision and weeks when life gets in the way. 10–20% is a common allowance.