TL;DR
GCSE exams 2026 run from 4 May to 26 June. Results day is 20 August. Students receive a personal timetable from their school. November re-sits are available for English language and maths only. If you notice a timetable clash, report it to your school's exams officer immediately.
Last reviewed: May 2026
Key Facts
- GCSE exams 2026 start: Monday 4 May 2026
- GCSE exam series ends: Friday 26 June 2026
- GCSE results day 2026: Thursday 20 August 2026
- November re-sits: English language and maths only
- Personal timetables issued by schools - contact your exams officer if not received by late April
- Timetable clashes must be reported to your school's exams officer promptly
GCSE examinations in England begin on Monday 4 May 2026 and run through to Friday 26 June 2026. The full timetable is published by the Joint Council for Qualifications, with individual exam boards issuing their own subject-specific timetables each academic year.
Key GCSE examination dates 2026
The main GCSE examination window runs from Monday 11 May to Friday 26 June 2026. English language and English literature papers typically fall in May and June. Mathematics papers are spread across the same period.
Results day for GCSE 2026 is Thursday 20 August 2026, when grades are released to schools from 8am.
How to find your personal timetable
Individual students receive a personal timetable from their school ahead of the examination period. This lists the date, time and venue for each paper the student is entered for. If you have not received a personal timetable by late April, contact your school's examinations officer.
Exam boards also publish their full timetables publicly:
- AQA: Full timetable on aqa.org.uk under the examinations section
- Edexcel (Pearson): Timetable published on qualifications.pearson.com
- OCR: Timetable available at ocr.org.uk
- WJEC/Eduqas: Timetable on wjec.co.uk
- CCEA: Northern Ireland timetable on ccea.org.uk
What happens if two exams clash?
Timetable clashes are managed by the Joint Council for Qualifications. Schools have procedures to accommodate students sitting two exams on the same day. If you notice a potential clash on your personal timetable, report it to your examinations officer immediately - do not leave it until exam day.
Contingency day
Ofqual designates a contingency day later in June for use if widespread disruption prevents examinations from taking place on their scheduled date. The contingency day is confirmed each year. Students should keep this date free as a precaution.
November GCSE re-sit dates
November re-sits are available for GCSE English language and GCSE mathematics only. The November 2026 series typically begins in the first week of November. Students who wish to re-sit must register through their school or an approved examination centre. Private candidates should contact their chosen centre directly about registration deadlines.
GCSE dates in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland
Wales and Northern Ireland follow a similar timetable to England for GCSE examinations. The WJEC administers qualifications in Wales; CCEA administers qualifications in Northern Ireland. Scotland uses a different qualification framework - the National 5 and Higher qualifications - administered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority under a separate timetable.
When do GCSE exams start in 2026?
GCSE exams in England start on Monday 4 May 2026. The examination series runs until Friday 26 June 2026.
When is GCSE results day 2026?
GCSE results day 2026 is Thursday 20 August 2026. Results are released to schools at 8am.
Are GCSE exam dates the same for all exam boards?
No. Each exam board sets its own subject timetable within the permitted window. English language and maths are typically scheduled by JCQ guidance, but the dates for individual papers vary by board. Check the timetable for your specific exam board.
