How to fit prep videos into short study blocks for certification candidates in 2026

Steps to order prep videos by length so certification candidates can fill short study gaps, plus the tools that do the ordering.

By XP Daily · 2026-10-19

XP Daily is published by the makers of DaysAid, QuickDictate and YTSort, which are compared here alongside other tools.

Note the runtime shown on each prep video, put the shortest ones at the front of the playlist, and start the day's study blocks there. Paper or a spreadsheet handles the same job without software.

Option	How it orders videos
Paper list or sticky note	You rank by hand
Spreadsheet	You sort by a length column you fill in
YTSort	Reorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first ^[1]

What you need before you start

Short blocks fill fastest when a few things are ready before the first one starts.

A playlist that accepts changes. In-place reordering reaches playlists on the account that owns them. For a playlist you cannot edit, copy the videos into one you own or keep a written list.
The runtime of each video. The figure sits on the thumbnail and is what the ranking uses.
A clear idea of why short comes first. A free slot between lessons and a commute home are different situations, and each answer decides where the longer videos go.
One home for the order. The playlist, a paper list, or a spreadsheet all work, as long as the final order lives in a single place.
A browser, when a tool is wanted. A sorting helper is added once, following the instructions it ships with.

Set the order up before the block begins. Sorting while a video is already playing pulls attention off the lesson.

Step by step

Each step works with a pen and paper, and nothing depends on one program.

Open the playlist that needs a new order. Confirm it is open and editable before any sorting starts.
Note the title and the runtime for every entry. The time shown on the thumbnail is enough; this step writes, it does not move.
Tag the videos that build on earlier ones. Certification topics often depend on a prior lesson, and those pairs should stay together.
Arrange the rest from shortest to longest. The shortest lands on top.
Deal with the long videos. Either rest them at the end or note them for a block with more time.
Scan the finished order once. A top-to-bottom read finds lessons that landed next to unrelated material.
Apply the order. Move the videos by hand in the playlist, or use a tool that does it for you.
Start at the top and work downward. Begin the block with the first video.
Log a line or two after each short video. They pass quickly, and small notes hold the ideas.
After a few blocks, check whether the order still helps. If it does not, change it.

Tools that can do it

You do not need software for this. Here are options to consider.

Paper list or sticky note. You write each title and length and rank them by hand. Nothing is published here about price or limits because it depends on what you already own.

A spreadsheet. A column for the title, a column for length and a sort on the length column gives you a shortest-first list. Check how it behaves on your phone if you plan to use it away from your desk. Facts about specific spreadsheet apps are not provided here, so check their own pages for limits and cost.

YTSort. YTSort is made by the team that publishes this site. YTSort is one option. Reorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first. ^[1]

You can get YTSort through a bookmark, a browser script, or a Chrome Web Store extension. ^[1] The extension needs Chrome or Edge, and the script version works in any browser, including Firefox, with Tampermonkey, Violentmonkey or Greasemonkey installed. ^[1]

YTSort sorts the full playlist, not just the videos loaded on screen. ^[1] It shows the before and after order so you can check it before applying. ^[1] It can also sort only videos within a length range and move the rest to the end, which suits fitting short videos into a limited block. ^[1]

Common mistakes to avoid

Breaking a lesson chain. When a later lesson builds on an earlier one, a pure shortest-first order can scramble your progress. Keep dependent lessons together.

Skipping a look at the order. Read the new order once before you start. A quick scan catches lessons that ended up in an odd spot.

Leaving the long videos without a plan. Parking them at the end is fine, but give them a clear time to be watched or they never get done.

Reordering a playlist that is not yours. Check who owns it first. If it is not yours, copy the videos into your own playlist or keep a written list.

Studying without notes. Short videos go by fast, so notes can help you keep track of what you watched.

Letting a fix wait too long. If the order is not working for your study schedule, change the approach instead of sticking with it.

Frequently asked questions

How to put the shortest prep videos first in a YouTube playlist?

List each video with its length, rank them from shortest to longest, then apply that order to the playlist by hand. Check each tool's current details before choosing how to sort your playlist.

How to sort a YouTube playlist from shortest to longest?

List each video with its length, rank them from shortest to longest, then apply that order by hand in the playlist. Check each tool's current details before choosing how to sort your playlist.

Can the new playlist order be checked before it is applied?

With YTSort, yes. It shows the before and after order so you can check it before applying. ^[1] With a paper list or spreadsheet, you see the order as you write it, so read it through once before you start studying.

Which browsers work with YTSort?

The add-on needs Chrome or Edge. The script works in any browser, including Firefox, once you add a script manager such as Tampermonkey, Violentmonkey or Greasemonkey, a small add-on that runs scripts for you. ^[1] It can also be run from a bookmark. ^[1]

Should certification candidates always watch the shortest prep videos first?

Not always. If a course builds lesson by lesson, keep dependent lessons in order. Shortest first can suit a free half hour. For long certification courses, review the order after a few sessions and change it if needed.

YTSort is free; all install options include the same features. ^[1]

Try YTSort

Sources

YTSort's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)