Exam Timetables 2026: GCSE and A-Level Dates

Plan your revision effectively by knowing your exact exam dates early. Find official timetables from AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC for the 2026 exam series.

View 2026 Exam Timetable →

Browse Exam Timetables by Year

2026

Current

276 exams across AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC

7th May 2026 — 22nd June 2026

2025

45 exams across AQA, Edexcel, OCR

12th May 2025 — 19th June 2025

Official PDF Downloads — 2026

Download the official exam timetable PDFs directly from each exam board.

Key Exam Dates to Know

Event	Date	Notes
Exams begin (GCSE & A-Level)	7th May 2026	All boards start on the same date
Last exams	22nd June 2026	Final papers across all boards
A-Level results day	~13th August 2026	Third Thursday in August
GCSE results day	~20th August 2026	Fourth Thursday in August

How to Plan Your Revision Around Exam Dates

Work backwards from your exam dates

Once you have your confirmed exam timetable, work backwards to create a revision plan. Aim to have covered all content 2-3 weeks before your first exam, leaving time for past paper practice and final review.

Prioritise subjects with early exams

If you have an exam in mid-May, you need to be exam-ready for that subject earlier than subjects examined in late June. Allocate more revision time in March-April to your early-exam subjects, then shift focus to later subjects.

Schedule rest days strategically

Look at your exam timetable for consecutive exam days or particularly challenging days (e.g., two 3-hour exams in one day). Build rest and lighter revision into the day before these intense periods. Mental freshness matters as much as knowledge.

Plan for the gaps between exams

If you have a 3-day gap between two exams, use the first day for lighter review of the past exam (to identify learning points), and the next two days for focused revision on the upcoming subject. Don't waste exam-period gaps.

Mark key milestones in your revision calendar

Beyond exam dates, mark when you plan to complete each topic, when you'll start past papers, and when you'll do final reviews. These milestones keep you on track and prevent last-minute cramming.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do GCSE exams start in 2026? +

GCSE exams typically begin in mid-May (around the 11th-18th May) and run through to late June. The exact dates vary by exam board and subject. Check your exam board's official timetable for your specific exam dates.

Are exam dates the same every year? +

The exam period is roughly the same (May-June for summer exams), but specific dates change each year. Always check the official timetable from your exam board (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC) for the current year's dates.

What happens if my exams clash? +

If you have two exams scheduled at the same time, your school's exams officer will arrange for you to sit one exam immediately after the other on the same day, with a supervised break in between. Inform your school as soon as you notice a clash.

When are A-Level results released in 2026? +

A-Level results are typically released on the third Thursday in August. For 2026, this will likely be around 13th August. GCSE results follow one week later, usually on the fourth Thursday in August.

How to Build a GCSE Revision Timetable

Plan your revision around your exam dates with a structured timetable that keeps you on track.

More Exam Resources

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