Find the official 2026 GCSE & A-Level exam schedules by board, key dates, and practical, research-based revision strategies to help students succeed.
The 2026 UK GCSE exams run from early May to late June 2026, with the first common date around 4–7 May and the final exams by about 26 June. A contingency day (e.g., 24 June) is reserved for rescheduling if needed. GCSE results will be released on 20 August 2026. A-Level exams take place from 11 May to 23 June 2026, with results on 13 August 2026. Official timetables are published by exam boards (AQA, Edexcel/Pearson, OCR, WJEC/Eduqas and CCEA) and jointly coordinated via the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ). To prepare effectively, students should use spaced repetition, active recall, timed past papers, and maintain well-being habits such as scheduled breaks and sleep.
Families may also consider UK school holidays to coordinate childcare with 2026 GCSE & A-Level exam schedule.
Introduction
2026 GCSE & A-Level Exam Schedule
As 2026 approaches, students, parents, and teachers across the UK are focused on planning for GCSE and A-Level exam success. The detailed 2026 GCSE exam schedule and 2026 A-Level exam dates determine not just when exams take place, but how revision should be structured, how schools schedule mock exams, and when students can book holidays or important events. This comprehensive guide collates official exam board schedules (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC/Eduqas, CCEA) and offers evidence-based revision strategies to maximise performance. Accurate planning begins with knowing key dates and using them to drive intentional, productive revision rather than last-minute cramming.
What Are GCSEs and A-Levels?
GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education)
GCSEs are academic qualifications usually taken at age 16 (Year 11) across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Students typically sit multiple subject exams over a period in May and June, testing knowledge, application, and skills built over two years of study. Exam boards set and mark the assessments but the national exam windows are common across all boards to avoid widespread clashes.
A-Levels (Advanced Level)
A-Levels are post-16, Level 3 qualifications typically taken by Year 13 students. They are subject-specific deep dives and are key for university admissions. Similar to GCSEs, exam boards align their papers within a common national window in late spring/early summer each year.
Understanding this structure helps students and teachers plan revision timelines, mock assessments, coursework deadlines, and study goals.
Official 2026 Exam Dates by Board
The exam boards each publish detailed timetables usually as PDF files on their official sites. Below are summary tables of key dates for both GCSE and A-Level exams.
2026 GCSE Exam Schedule (Common Window)
| Event | Date (2026) |
| Exams start (common timetable) | Week beginning 4–7 May 2026 |
| Key subject blocks continue | May–June 2026 |
| Final exam on common timetable | 17–26 June 2026 (Approx) |
| Contingency day (must be free) | 24 June 2026 |
| GCSE results day | 20 August 2026 |
Notes:
- The GCSE window runs broadly across May and June with morning and afternoon sessions. Individual subject papers (e.g., Maths, English, Sciences) have specific days within this period.
- Practical or speaking assessments may take place earlier according to board guidance and school schedules.
2026 A-Level Exam Schedule (Common Window)
| Event | Date (2026) |
| A-Level exams start | 11 May 2026 |
| Core exam period ends | 23 June 2026 |
| Contingency day | 24 June 2026 |
| A-Level results day | 13 August 2026 |
Notes:
- A-Level papers are spread throughout the window based on specification and board with sciences, maths, languages, and humanities scheduled at various points.
- AS Level assessments often run alongside A-Level papers earlier in the period.
Official Timetable Sources (Links)
Below are key official timetable documents you can download and reference:
- AQA 2026 GCSE & A-Level Timetables – AQA publishes full PDFs for May/June 2026 series.
- OCR Key Dates & Timetables – OCR’s site includes GCSE, A-Level, and vocational qualification schedules.
- JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications) – Central key dates and timetable resources for all major exam boards.
- Edexcel / Pearson Timetables – Published summer 2026 timetables for GCSE and GCE exams.
- WJEC / Eduqas Timetables – Wales and Eduqas exam timetables for GCSE and A-Level.
- CCEA – Northern Ireland board timetables via JCQ and board specific documents.
How Exam Boards Differ (Assessment & Timetabling)
Though all boards follow the JCQ common timetable window, they differ in course structure, question style, units, and weighting.
- AQA: Large provider in England and Wales; broadly similar scheduling to other boards but with specific paper codes and formats.
- Edexcel (Pearson): Offers both UK and international syllabi, timetables mirror UK June window.
- OCR: Published final timetables for GCSE & Cambridge Nationals and GCE; boards coordinate timings with JCQ guidance.
- WJEC/Eduqas: Separate Welsh and Eduqas specifications; timetables align broadly but some subject papers vary.
- CCEA: Northern Ireland board with GCSE and GCE schedules; follows JCQ windows.
Understanding these differences helps when planning revision, especially if you mix board specifications.
Using the Official Schedule to Plan Revision
Map Subjects by Date
Once you receive your personalised timetable from school, plot every exam on a calendar. Order papers chronologically so you see busy stretches and quieter windows.
Example:
- Week 1: English Language & Maths foundational papers
- Week 2: Sciences + Humanities
- Week 3: Remaining papers + contingency date
This early mapping prevents clustering too much revision into the final weeks.
Allocate Time Blocks by Difficulty & Weighting
Focus on higher-weight subjects or those you find challenging earlier. Pair that with time-boxed revision slots (e.g., 90 minutes per session with a 15-minute break).
Account for Practical / Non-Exam Assessments
GCSEs and A-Levels sometimes include NEAs (non-exam assessments) or controlled tasks. Confirm deadlines with your teachers as these often occur before the written exam window.
Evidence-Based Revision Strategies
Active Recall
Instead of rereading notes, actively quiz yourself. Using flashcards or practice questions enhances memory retention more effectively than passive study.
Example: Cover definitions and try recalling them then check your answers.
Spaced Repetition
Spread revision over weeks, revisiting topics at increasing intervals. This combats the forgetting curve and embeds learning.
Tool Tip: Use spaced repetition apps or a revision planner.
Interleaved Practice
Mix subjects or topics within a study session instead of block studying a single topic. This simulates how exams require switching between ideas.
Timed Practice Papers
Practice under exam conditions (closed book, timed) to build confidence and pacing. Mark against official mark schemes to identify weak areas.
Sample Revision Timetables
Weekly Revision Timetable (Example)
| Day | Subject Focus | Activities |
| Monday | Maths | Spaced practice + past papers |
| Tuesday | English | Active recall + timed essay practice |
| Wednesday | Science | Interleaved topics + flashcards |
| Thursday | Humanities | Past paper questions |
| Friday | Languages | Speaking practice + vocabulary review |
| Saturday | Catch-up | Mixed subject review |
| Sunday | Rest/Well-Being | Light reading or rest |
Monthly Revision Timeline (May–June 2026)
| Week | Goal |
| Early May | Start with foundational topics & past papers |
| Mid May | Review weaker areas, increase timed practice |
| Late May | Focus on exam format & writing skills |
| Early June | Final polishing, contingency planning |
| Contingency week | Light revision + well-being |
Teacher & Student Tips (Backed by Research)
- Sleep Matters: Aim for 8–9 hours of sleep; memory consolidation happens during sleep.
- Practice Under Pressure: Build exam-taking endurance with timed practice.
- Weekly Reflection: Spend 15 minutes weekly reviewing what worked and what didn’t.
- Well-being Checks: Include short exercise and breaks stress reduces retention.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are exam dates identical across all boards?
The exam windows (GCSE: May–June; A-Level: mid-May to late June) are common, but subject papers have board-specific days within these ranges. Always check your personalised timetable.
What is a contingency day?
It’s a reserved date (e.g., 24 June 2026) for rescheduling exams if major disruption occurs. Students must remain available until then.
When will I get my results?
A-Level results are released on 13 August 2026 and GCSE results on 20 August 2026.
Conclusion
Planning ahead for the 2026 GCSE and A-Level exams sets the stage for confident, structured, and less stressful revision. Start by downloading your official timetables from your exam board’s website, plot every exam on your calendar, and build backward to design a personalised revision plan. Combine this with evidence-backed techniques active recall, spaced repetition, and timed practice and balanced well-being habits.
By preparing early, tracking progress, and staying flexible with your study plan, you’ll be well-placed to succeed in 2026’s GCSE and A-Level exam season.
Sources & References
- AQA 2026 Dates and Timetables (Official)
- OCR Key Dates and Timetables (Official)
- TES: GCSE 2026 Timetable Overview
- JCQ Key Dates & Timetable Downloads (Official)
- Edexcel/Pearson 2026 Timetables (Official PDFs)
- TeachTutti A-Level Exam Dates Summary
