AQA Exam Dates 2026: Complete Timetable for GCSE and A-Level

Planning your revision starts with knowing exactly when your exams are. For AQA students sitting GCSE or A-Level exams in 2026, the May-June examination window is fast approaching. Understanding the timetable helps you allocate revision time, avoid last-minute panic, and prepare strategically for each paper.

Here’s everything you need to know about AQA exam dates for 2026, including how to access the official timetable, key dates for popular subjects, and how to build a revision plan around your exam schedule.

Understanding the 2026 AQA Exam Window

AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) is one of the UK’s largest exam boards, offering GCSE and A-Level qualifications across a wide range of subjects.

The main examination period for 2026 GCSEs and A-Levels runs from early May to late June 2026. Most students will have exams spread across this 7-8 week window.

###Important Dates to Remember

Exam period: Early May to late June 2026
Results day (A-Level): Mid-August 2026 (typically the third Thursday in August)
Results day (GCSE): Late August 2026 (typically the fourth Thursday in August)

Exact dates vary slightly year to year, but these timings are consistent.

Where to Find the Official AQA Exam Timetable

The most accurate source for AQA exam dates is the official AQA website. Here’s how to access it:

Visit aqa.org.uk
Navigate to the “Exams administration” section
Select “Key dates” or “Timetables”
Choose “Summer 2026” and your qualification level (GCSE or A-Level)

AQA publishes provisional timetables months in advance, with final timetables confirmed closer to the exam period. Always check for updates, as dates can occasionally change.

Your school or college will also provide you with a personalised exam timetable showing exactly when and where each of your exams takes place.

How AQA Exams Are Structured

Understanding the exam structure helps you plan revision effectively.

GCSE Exams

Most GCSE subjects have 2-3 exam papers spread across the May-June window:

Paper 1: Usually scheduled in the first half of the exam period
Paper 2: Typically 1-2 weeks after Paper 1
Paper 3 (if applicable): Spread further into the exam period

For example:

GCSE Maths Paper 1 (non-calculator) might be in mid-May
GCSE Maths Paper 2 (calculator) a week later
GCSE Maths Paper 3 (calculator) another week after that

This spacing gives you time to review between papers, though it also means you need sustained focus across several weeks.

A-Level Exams

A-Level exams typically have 3 papers per subject, sometimes more:

Papers are spread across the full May-June window
Some subjects have papers scheduled weeks apart
Others might have multiple papers in the same week

For example:

A-Level Chemistry Paper 1 might be in early May
Paper 2 mid-May
Paper 3 late May or early June

The spacing varies by subject, so check your specific timetable early.

Key Subject Exam Dates (Provisional 2026)

While exact dates are subject to change, here’s the typical scheduling pattern for popular AQA subjects:

GCSE Subjects

Maths:

Three papers (one non-calculator, two calculator)
Usually spread across 2-3 weeks in mid-May to early June
Each paper is 1 hour 30 minutes

English Language:

Two papers
Typically scheduled in mid-May
Each paper is 1 hour 45 minutes

English Literature:

Two papers
Usually late May or early June
Paper 1: 1 hour 45 minutes, Paper 2: 2 hours 15 minutes

Science (Combined Science or Triple Science):

Six papers total for combined science (two each for biology, chemistry, physics)
Spread across the entire exam period
Each paper is 1 hour 15 minutes

Humanities (History, Geography):

Two or three papers
Typically mid to late May
Each paper is 1-2 hours

A-Level Subjects

Maths:

Three papers (Pure 1, Pure 2, Statistics/Mechanics)
Spread across mid-May to early June
Each paper is 2 hours

Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics):

Three papers per subject
Usually early to mid-May
Each paper is 2 hours

English Literature:

Two papers
Typically mid to late May
Each paper is 2 hours 30 minutes - 3 hours

History:

Two papers plus coursework (if applicable)
Usually late May
Each paper is 2 hours 30 minutes

Note: These are general patterns. Always check the official AQA timetable for your specific subjects and exam year.

What to Do If You Have Exam Clashes

Exam timetables are designed to avoid clashes for common subject combinations, but occasionally conflicts occur.

How to identify a clash:

Two exams scheduled at exactly the same time on the same day

What happens:

Your school or college will identify the clash and arrange for you to sit one exam immediately after the other, with a supervised break in between
You won’t be disadvantaged, but you will face a longer, more tiring exam day

How to prepare:

If you know you have a clash, practise sitting full papers back-to-back
Build stamina for the extended session
Bring snacks and water (your school will tell you what’s allowed during the break)

Building a Revision Plan Around AQA Exam Dates

Once you know your exam timetable, you can create a strategic revision plan.

1. Work Backwards from Exam Dates

Identify your first exam and work backwards to allocate revision time.

For example, if your first exam is GCSE Maths Paper 1 on May 15th:

April 15th - May 10th: Intensive maths revision (full topic coverage)
May 11th - 14th: Final practice papers and formula memorisation
May 15th: Exam day

2. Prioritise Subjects Based on Exam Order

Your first exams deserve the most early attention. Don’t wait until the week before to start revising for exams in mid-May.

Strategic approach:

8-10 weeks before: Start with subjects that have early exams
6-8 weeks before: Add mid-period exams to your revision
4-6 weeks before: Include later exams
Final 4 weeks: Balanced revision across all subjects, with extra time for weaker areas

3. Account for Multiple Papers

If a subject has three papers, don’t treat them as separate exams. Revise the full syllabus early, then review specific areas before each paper.

For example, A-Level Chemistry:

Early revision: Cover all topics (organic, inorganic, physical chemistry)
Before Paper 1: Review topics specifically tested in Paper 1
Before Paper 2: Review topics for Paper 2
Before Paper 3: Final review and practice papers

This prevents you from forgetting early topics by the time you sit later papers.

4. Use Gaps Between Papers Strategically

If you have a week between Chemistry Paper 1 and Paper 2, use that time wisely:

Day after Paper 1: Rest (you’ve earned it)
Next 2-3 days: Light review of Paper 1 mistakes (if you can remember them)
Remaining days: Focused revision for Paper 2

Don’t waste the gap, but don’t burn out either.

5. Plan Recovery Days

Exam periods are exhausting. Schedule rest days strategically:

After particularly difficult exams
After back-to-back exam days
Before your most important or challenging subjects

Rest is part of effective revision. Don’t skip it.

Key Differences Between AQA and Other Exam Boards

If you’re taking a mix of subjects with different boards (e.g., AQA maths, Edexcel English), you need to manage multiple timetables.

AQA generally spaces papers across the full exam window, giving you time between papers of the same subject.

Edexcel sometimes schedules papers closer together.

OCR has similar spacing to AQA but might have different dates for the same subject.

Check all your exam boards’ timetables and create a combined personal timetable highlighting all your exams.

Results Days for 2026

After the exams, results day is your next key date.

A-Level Results Day: Typically the third Thursday in August 2026. This is when A-Level students receive their results and UCAS places are confirmed.

GCSE Results Day: Typically the fourth Thursday in August 2026, about a week after A-Level results.

Mark these dates in your calendar. Your school will provide details about how to collect results (in person or online).

How UpGrades Helps You Prepare for AQA Exams

Knowing your exam dates is the first step. The second is preparing effectively in the time you have.

UpGrades’ adaptive practice system helps you:

Target your weakest areas identified through practice questions
Build confidence across all topics before each paper
Track your progress as exams approach
Practise exam-style questions that mirror the AQA format

Whether you’re revising for GCSE maths, A-Level chemistry, or any other AQA subject, UpGrades ensures you’re ready when exam day arrives.

Final Checklist for AQA Exam Preparation

Download the official AQA timetable from aqa.org.uk
Note all your exam dates and times
Identify any exam clashes and inform your school
Create a revision plan working backwards from your first exam
Allocate more time to subjects with early exams
Schedule rest days strategically
Mark results day in your calendar

AQA exam dates for 2026 are your roadmap to exam success. Use them to plan your revision, pace yourself across the May-June period, and approach each exam with the confidence that comes from thorough, strategic preparation.