Study & wellbeing · Grades 8–12

Prioritizing by deadline

Study guide for Grades 8 to 12: 2 worked examples and 2 practice questions. The “earliest deadline first” rule is a simple way to order tasks. Break big tasks into steps so they start early enough.

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Rule and key idea

The “earliest deadline first” rule is a simple way to order tasks. Break big tasks into steps so they start early enough.

start the task with the earliest due date

Worked examples

You have three assignments: a group presentation due in 9 days, a science poster due in 4 days and a math problem set due in 3 days. Using the “earliest deadline first” rule, which should you start first?

3 days is the earliest deadline.

a math problem set

You have three assignments: a group presentation due in 2 days, a science poster due in 8 days and a math problem set due in 13 days. Using the “earliest deadline first” rule, which should you start first?

2 days is the earliest deadline.

a group presentation

Try two questions

You have three assignments: a chemistry lab report due in 10 days, a book review due in 6 days and a history essay due in 8 days. Using the “earliest deadline first” rule, which should you start first?
1. a history essay
2. a book review
3. a chemistry lab report
You have three assignments: a history essay due in 7 days, a science poster due in 13 days and a chemistry lab report due in 9 days. Using the “earliest deadline first” rule, which should you start first?
1. a chemistry lab report
2. a science poster
3. a history essay

Answers and reasoning

Answers and marking notes

a book review
6 days is the earliest deadline.
a history essay
7 days is the earliest deadline.

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