GCSEs 2026: Key dates and exam support

Welcome to our essential GCSE 2026 guide. We’ve got everything you need to know about exam dates, timetables and support materials for the upcoming GCSE examinations. Whether you're a student, teacher or parent, you'll find detailed information about core subjects, exam board resources, and revision materials all in one place.

When are the GCSE exams 2026?
Key GCSE dates 2026
Core subject exam dates 2026
Essential exam board links and timetables
Frequently Asked Questions
Supporting wellbeing during GCSEs

When are the GCSE exams 2026?

Welcome to your comprehensive guide for GCSEs 2026. We've gathered essential information about exam dates, timetables and support materials to help you and your students prepare effectively.

Key GCSE dates 2026

GCSE exams period: Monday 4 May - Friday 26 June 2026 (Students should be available until Wednesday 24 June for contingency)
GCSE results day: Thursday 20 August 2026 (Schools receive results Wednesday 19 August)

Core subject exam dates 2026

Core subject exam dates are listed below. For detailed information about specific exam papers, please refer to the exam board links below.

GCSE Maths 2026

Thursday 7 May (morning) — WJEC
Thursday 14 May (morning) — AQA, CCEA, Edexcel, Eduqas, OCR and WJEC
Wednesday 3 June (morning) — AQA, CCEA, Edexcel, Eduqas, OCR and WJEC
Wednesday 10 June (morning) — AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC

GCSE English Language 2026

Thursday 7 May (morning) — CCEA (English Language unit 1)
Thursday 21 May (morning) — CCEA (English Language unit 4)
Thursday 21 May (morning) — AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas, OCR (English Language Paper 1)
Thursday 21 May (morning) — WJEC (English Language unit 2)
Friday 5 June (morning) — AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas, OCR (English Language Paper 2)
Friday 5 June (morning) — WJEC (English Language unit 3)

GCSE English Literature 2026

Monday 11 May (morning) — AQA, CCEA, Edexcel and OCR (English Literature Paper 1)
Monday 11 May (morning) — Eduqas and WJEC (English Literature Paper 1, Foundation and Higher)
Tuesday 19 May (morning) — AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas & OCR (English Literature Paper 2)
Tuesday 19 May (morning) — WJEC (English Literature Unit 2 Option A and B, Foundation and Higher)
Thursday 28 May (morning) — CCEA (English Literature Unit 2)

GCSE Science 2026

Biology

Tuesday 12 May (afternoon) — AQA, Edexcel, OCR, CCEA (Biology Paper 1) and WJEC (Biology Paper 2) for combined and single science
Monday 8 June (morning) — AQA, Edexcel, OCR, CCEA (Biology Paper 2) and WJEC (Biology Paper 1) for combined and single science

Chemistry

Monday 18 May (morning) — AQA, Edexcel, OCR (Chemistry Paper 1), WJEC (Chemistry Unit 2), CCEA (Chemistry Unit 1) for combined and single science
Friday 12 June (morning) — AQA, Edexcel, OCR (Chemistry Paper 2), WJEC (Chemistry Unit 1), CCEA (Chemistry Unit 2 and Practical Theory) for combined and single science
Friday 19 June (afternoon) — CCEA (Chemistry Unit 3 Practical Theory)

Physics

Friday 22 May (morning) — WJEC (Physics Unit 2), CCEA (Physics Unit 1) both combined double award and single science students
Tuesday 2 June (morning) — AQA and Edexcel (Physics Paper 1) for both combined and single science, OCR (Physics Papers 1 and 3)
Monday 15 June (morning) — AQA and Edexcel (Physics Paper 2), OCR (Physics Papers 2 and 4), WJEC (Physics Unit 1), CCEA (Physics Unit 2) for combined and single science

Essential exam board links and timetables

Below you'll find direct links to each examination board's official timetables, past papers, revision materials and student support resources for WJEC Eduqas, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, AQA and CCEA.

WJEC Eduqas

Pearson Edexcel

OCR

AQA

CCEA

Frequently Asked Questions

How long are GCSE exams in 2026?

The GCSE examination period typically runs for approximately 5-6 weeks, starting in early May and finishing in mid-June. Individual exam lengths vary by subject, ranging from 1 hour to 2 hours 15 minutes per paper.

What should I do if my students have exam date clashes?

Contact your examinations officer immediately if you notice any clashes. They will arrange for affected students to sit one paper earlier or later on the same day under supervised conditions. In some cases, special arrangements may need to be made with the relevant exam boards.

When will students receive their individual timetables?

Schools typically distribute personalised candidate timetables by March 2026. These will show the exact times, dates and locations for each examination. Ensure students check these carefully and report any errors to the examinations officer.

What access arrangements need to be arranged in advance?

Access arrangements such as extra time, readers, scribes or modified papers must be applied for well in advance. The deadline for applications is usually February 2026. Speak with your SENCo to ensure all necessary arrangements are in place.

How can I help students prepare for multiple exams in one day?

Support students by:

Creating structured revision timetables
Teaching effective time management strategies
Ensuring they understand the importance of rest and nutrition
Providing guidance on managing exam stress
Coordinating with other subject teachers to balance revision loads

Access our comprehensive revision templates which include essential student resources covering revision strategies, revision review sheets, customisable timetables, monthly question grids and exam question review forms.

What contingency arrangements are in place for 2026?

Exam boards maintain contingency plans for circumstances such as severe weather or local/national emergencies. Schools should have their own contingency procedures in place and communicate these clearly to staff, students and parents.