GCSE exams are a key part of assessments in the UK education system.⁷ Students sit exams in multiple subjects, including English, maths, science, and their other chosen subjects. The exam boards like AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, and CCEA all have their own timetables, but all exams are sat during the exam period, which runs from 4 May to 26 June in 2026.¹
Monday 4 May 2026
The 2026 GCSE exam season begins
Wednesday 24 June 2026
National Contingency Day
Friday 26 June 2026
Last day for exams
Thursday 20 August 2026
Results Day
Key Dates for GCSE Exams 2026
Plan your revision around the key GCSE exam dates 2026. In addition to your individual exams, it's important to know when the exam period starts and finishes, when you'll get your results, and when the contingency date is. Put them all in your calendar.
weeks from early May until late June.
Exam Start and End Dates
The GCSE exam timetable follows a coordinated schedule in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
While subject papers and units vary by exam board, tier, and subject combinations, the overall GCSE exam season runs for several weeks in May and June. In 2026, the GCSE exams start on 4 May and run through 26 June.²
This means that most students' exams will be reasonably well spaced out, and test-takers' time to revise ahead of each exam they sit.
In 2026, the GCSE exams start on May 4 and run through June 26.
Contingency Date
The national contingency day for GCSE exams 2026 is Wednesday, 24 June 2026.¹ This date ensures that exams can be rescheduled if national disruptions occur. Students must remain available until this date has passed, even if their last scheduled exam is before then.
As much as possible, the exam boards try to accommodate students' exam selections. When they detect that a group has signed up for exams in a single subject, they do their best to spread out the dates for that subject. Doing so has many effects:
Results Day
GCSE Results Day 2026 will take place on Thursday, 20 August 2026.² Most schools release exam results in person in the morning. Some centres will provide results electronically through secure online portals. Students can request a review of their marking or appeal through their school or exam centre if they think there's been an error in their results.
Arguably, the greater dread is facing results day. After all, exams are exams; we students have sat them throughout our entire academic career. Granted, none are so consequential as the GCSEs.
In 2026, GCSE Results Day will take place on Thursday 20 August 2026.
Exam Timetables and Subject-Specific Dates
Your timetable will depend on your subjects, exam boards, and tiers. Each exam board publishes its own timetable showing when each exam paper takes place, including morning and afternoon exam sessions.⁶ Be sure to organise your revision schedules and preparation in accordance with them.
Overview of Exam Boards
GCSE qualifications are delivered through awarding bodies or exam boards.⁷ These entities design exam papers, mark assessments, and set grading standards. While each exam board is slightly different, they all follow national curriculum standards, ensuring that GCSEs remain consistent across the UK regardless of the exam board. Schools typically choose the exam boards for students.
| Exam Board | Full Name | Main Regions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQA | Assessment and Qualifications Alliance | England; Wales; Northern Ireland | Largest UK GCSE exam board |
| Pearson Edexcel | Pearson Education Ltd | England; International Centres | Known for modular assessment structures |
| OCR | Oxford Cambridge and RSA | England | Offers a broad range of academic and vocational GCSEs |
| WJEC | Welsh Joint Education Committee | Wales | Primary awarding body for Welsh GCSEs |
| Eduqas | WJEC Brand | England | Provides GCSE specifications primarily in England |
| CCEA | Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment | Northern Ireland | Oversees GCSE delivery in Northern Ireland |
GCSE Maths exam dates
- Paper 1 (Non-calculator): Thursday 14 May 2026
- Paper 2 (Calculator): Wednesday 3 June 2026
- Paper 3 (Calculator): Wednesday 10 June 2026
GCSE English exam dates
- Language Paper 1: Thursday 21 May 2026
- Language Paper 2: Friday 5 June 2026
- Literature Paper 1: Monday 11 May 2026
- Literature Paper 2: Tuesday 19 May 2026
GCSE Science exam dates
- Chemistry Paper 1: Monday 18 May 2026
- Chemistry Paper 2: Friday 12 June 2026
- Physics Paper 1: Tuesday 2 June 2026
- Physics Paper 2: Monday 15 June 2026
Exam Conditions and Regulations
GCSEs have to be conducted under strict exam conditions and regulations.⁷ This is to ensure fairness, consistency, and academic integrity. The rules apply to all exam boards and are enforced in every exam centre. Exam conditions aren't just to prevent cheating but also to ensure students can sit their exams in a calm, controlled assessment environment.
Most exams are around 90 minutes to two hours in length.
While you will likely have done plenty of practice before the actual exam, knowing the exact details of proper exam conduct can make the experience of sitting your GCSE exams that bit less stressful.
Exam Day Procedures
GCSE exam conditions are fairly straightforward. Most of the rules are common sense and must be followed to the letter. They are:
- total silence
- no access to internet-enabled devices
- no programmable calculators
- clear pencil cases
- only clear water bottles
Access Arrangements
Access arrangements ensure GCSE exams are fair and accessible for all students. This removes barriers caused by learning difficulties, disabilities, medical conditions, or other recognised needs, without giving candidates an unfair advantage. Arrangements must be approved in advance and follow the guidance set by exam boards and the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).¹
Grade Boundaries and Assessment Criteria
GCSE grades are awarded according to nationally regulated assessment criteria.⁷ This ensures consistency across exam boards and subjects. Once exams have been marked, Exam boards analyse overall student performance before setting grade boundaries for that specific exam series.⁷
Understanding Grade Boundaries
Fairness is also critical when setting grade boundaries. We consider two main aspects – fairness over time and between exam boards in a subject. We want to make sure it is no easier to, say, achieve a grade 4 in GCSE maths in one year than another or with one exam board.
Cath Jadhav
The moving grade boundary makes marking fairer for all students. The marks you earn on your exams relative to other students determine your grade. Exam boards distribute students' marks along a grading scale.
Students often fret over grade boundaries. Nobody knows where those boundaries lie before results are tallied, not even the examiners.
Predicted Grade Boundaries for 2026
Based on previous years, grade distributions are often similar:
- Top 5% achieve grade 9
- Next 7% achieve grade 8
- Next 10% achieve grade 7
- Around 30% achieve grades 4–6
Students should focus on revision and exam preparation rather than worrying about grade boundaries.
Each exam board sets its grade boundaries according to its exams' particulars.
Changes and Updates for GCSE 2026
In 2026, GCSE exams have remained largely consistent. There have been no major structural changes to most subject assessments. Students will continue to follow the established course specifications and grading systems used across exam boards.
Pay attention to what examiners say about the last exam cycle. That gives you a clue of what to expect on your exams.
Curriculum Changes
There are very few curriculum changes affecting GCSE exams in 2026. Most subjects follow established assessment frameworks introduced after pandemic-era adjustments were removed. Formula sheets and exam aids introduced during COVID-19 learning disruptions remain available for some subjects until at least 2027.⁷
The Education Secretary announced that students will have access to exam aids until 2027.
Policy Updates
Education authorities continue reviewing exam policies to ensure fairness and consistency. The inclusion of contingency dates and access arrangements remains part of national exam regulations.
This is a grading scale that shifts, based on students' performance on a specific test or assessment.
Poor student performance
exam boards simplify content.
Average student performance
exam boards maintain the difficulty levels.
Great student performance
exam boards make questions more challenging.
Preparation Tips and Resources
Tutoring is an efficient way to prepare for GCSE exams. A few sessions with a tutor can improve confidence, exam technique, and subject understanding. Superprof connects students with tutors across maths, English, science, and many GCSE subjects. Many tutors offer their first lesson free, helping students prepare effectively.
Study Strategies
We recommend consistent revision with a structured approach to learning. Students who carefully plan their study time and practise exam techniques perform more confidently during their GCSE. Use a variety of methods to improve knowledge and retention.
Recommended Resources
There are plenty of learning materials for different subjects and exams. The official exam board resources are the most accurate for exam content. Still, they mightn't be as effective for learning as some of the more "fun" and "entertaining" revision guides. Students can also look for personalised academic support.
Tutoring is the most efficient way to learn any academic subject, making it the perfect tool to study for your GCSEs. A few sessions with a tutor can leave you confident, and ready to tackle your exams.
References
- Joint Council for Qualifications. Key Dates and Timetables. JCQ, https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/key-dates-and-timetables/. Accessed 12 February 2026.
- Third Space Learning. GCSE Exam Dates 2026. Third Space Learning, https://thirdspacelearning.com/blog/gcse-dates-2026/. Accessed 12 February 2026.
- TES Magazine. GCSE Exam Dates and Timetables. TES, https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/gcse-exam-dates-timetables. Accessed 12 February 2026.
- WJEC. Key Dates and Timetables. WJEC, https://www.wjec.co.uk/home/administration/key-dates-and-timetables/. Accessed 12 February 2026.
- OCR. Key Dates and Timetables. OCR, https://www.ocr.org.uk/administration/key-dates-and-timetables/. Accessed 12 February 2026.
- AQA. Dates and Timetables. AQA, https://www.aqa.org.uk/exams-administration/dates-and-timetables. Accessed 12 February 2026.
- Ofqual. Student Guide to Exams and Assessments in 2026. GOV.UK, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ofqual-student-guide-to-exams-and-assessments-in-2026/what-you-need-to-know-before-your-exams. Accessed 12 February 2026.
- Save My Exams. GCSE Exam Dates. Save My Exams, https://www.savemyexams.com/learning-hub/exam-dates-timetables/gcse-exam-dates/. Accessed 12 February 2026.
Summarise with AI:
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
