GCSE Exam Dates 2026 – Full Timetable for England, Wales & Northern Ireland

Quick heads up: This guide pulls together the key GCSE exam dates 2026 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland – plus board‑specific info for AQA and Edexcel, and separate sections for maths, English, mocks and results day. Think of it as your “no scrolling through twenty different PDFs” hub.

We’ll update this page as soon as official GCSE exam dates 2026 timetables are confirmed by each board. So if you’re a parent or Year 11 student doing the “when exactly is maths?!” panic-scroll – you’re in the right place. Status: Tracking AQA, Edexcel & CCEA updates

TL;DR – GCSE Dates 2026 at a Glance

  1. Main written GCSE exam window 2026 (England & Wales): usually mid‑May to late June 2026 (exact dates confirmed by boards).
  2. Main written GCSE exam window 2026 (Northern Ireland): similar mid‑May to June window, set by CCEA.
  3. GCSE maths exam dates 2026: usually three papers across May and June (non‑calculator + two calculator papers).
  4. GCSE English exam dates 2026: English Language and Literature spread across May and early June.
  5. AQA GCSE dates 2026: section below for AQA maths, AQA English and the wider AQA timetable.
  6. Edexcel GCSE dates 2026: section below for Edexcel maths, Edexcel English and key subjects.
  7. GCSE mock exam dates 2026: most schools run mocks in Nov/Dec 2025 and/or Jan–Mar 2026.
  8. GCSE dates 2026 results day: typically late August 2026 (official announcement still to come).
  9. Best move right now: use the dates window to build a revision timetable so you’re not revising everything at once.
  10. Next step: scroll to the board and region that match your child/school – or jump to the PDF section if you’re a “stick it on the fridge” person.
On this page:

GCSE Exam Dates 2026 UK – Quick Overview

Every year, the exam boards set slightly different dates – but the overall GCSE exam dates 2026 UK pattern stays similar. You can expect written exams to run through May and June, with results in late August. The exact timetable depends on the exam board (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, CCEA) and your school’s options.

Exam period 2026 Typical date range Region Exam boards
Main GCSE written exams Mid‑May – late June 2026 England & Wales AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC
Main GCSE written exams Mid‑May – late June 2026 Northern Ireland CCEA
GCSE mock exams (school‑set) Nov–Dec 2025 & Jan–Mar 2026 UK‑wide School‑specific
GCSE results day 2026 Late August 2026 (TBC) UK‑wide All boards

Student‑friendly tip: Once your school shares its version of the GCSE exam dates 2026 timetable, plug the dates into a revision plan rather than keeping them in your head. This guide from GCSE Ninja walks you through it step by step: How to create an effective GCSE revision timetable.

GCSE Dates 2026 England

If you’re searching for gcse dates 2026 england or gcse exam dates 2026 england, this is the section you need. Most schools in England use AQA, Edexcel or OCR – all of which follow the May–June window but place subjects on slightly different days.

“Do I really need to know the exact date now?”
Short answer: not every single one. But knowing roughly when English, maths and science fall helps you plan Year 11 without guessing.
Good rule of thumb: mark the start and end of the exam window, plus any known subject dates (like maths and English), then build revision around those anchors.
GCSE dates 2026 (England) What usually happens
Early May 2026 Language or smaller subjects may begin; speaking & practical assessments often already completed.
Mid–late May 2026 First major GCSE maths exam dates 2026 and English GCSE dates 2026 often appear here.
June 2026 Second and third maths papers, English Literature, sciences and options subjects.

Year 11 GCSE dates 2026: If you’re in Year 11, think of this whole window as your “exam season”, not just a couple of scary days in June. It’s a stretch, not a sprint.

GCSE Dates 2026 Wales

For students searching gcse dates 2026 wales or gcse exam dates 2026 wales, exams are usually set by WJEC. The pattern is similar to England: written papers through May and June, with slight differences in subject order and combinations.

  • Check whether your school uses WJEC or another board (some use AQA/Edexcel for certain subjects).
  • Ask for the school‑specific GCSE exam dates 2026 timetable once it’s available – they often highlight only the exams your year group is sitting.
  • Use this page for the big picture, and your school’s version for the fine detail.

GCSE Dates 2026 Northern Ireland

If you’re in Northern Ireland and have landed here via gcse dates 2026 northern ireland, your main board is usually CCEA. Again, written exams run across May and June 2026, with exact dates set by the board and shared through school.

Parent note: It’s normal if you can’t see the full CCEA timetable the second you Google it. Schools often release a cleaned‑up version for each class – keep an eye on emails, letters and your school’s website.

AQA GCSE Dates 2026 (Maths, English & More)

Let’s talk AQA GCSE dates 2026. If your child’s exam timetable is packed with “AQA” codes, this section’s for you. We’ll focus on the high‑stress big hitters: GCSE maths and GCSE English.

AQA GCSE Maths Dates 2026

Most students searching for gcse dates 2026 aqa, maths gcse dates 2026 or gcse maths exam dates 2026 really want to know: “When are the three papers?” While exact dates come from the official timetable, the structure is predictable:

Paper Tier What to expect (2026)
GCSE Maths Paper 1 (Non‑calculator) Foundation & Higher Usually in May. Tests core number, algebra and geometry without a calculator.
GCSE Maths Paper 2 (Calculator) Foundation & Higher Follows Paper 1 by roughly 1–2 weeks.
GCSE Maths Paper 3 (Calculator) Foundation & Higher Final paper in the sequence, again roughly 1–2 weeks after Paper 2.

Next step: Once your school confirms the exact GCSE maths dates 2026, plug them into a weekly plan. These guides can help: Revise smarter for GCSE success and Exam revision techniques for GCSE students.

AQA English GCSE Dates 2026

For aqa english gcse dates 2026 and english gcse dates 2026, think in pairs: Language and Literature, Paper 1 and Paper 2. Exact dates change year‑on‑year, but the layout is similar.

Exam Board What usually happens
GCSE English Language Paper 1 (AQA) AQA Often one of the earlier English exams in the window.
GCSE English Language Paper 2 (AQA) AQA Usually 1–2 weeks after Paper 1.
GCSE English Literature Paper 1 & 2 (AQA) AQA Placed across the middle of the window, often around other big subjects.

Revision help while you wait for final dates: start with how each paper works. Try: GCSE English Language Paper 1 – exam success guide and Nail GCSE English Literature Paper 1.

Edexcel GCSE Dates 2026 (Maths, English & Further Maths)

If you’re on Edexcel and Googling gcse dates 2026 edexcel, edexcel gcse dates 2026 or edexcel maths gcse dates 2026, this is where your timetable lives.

Edexcel Maths GCSE Dates 2026

Paper Tier What usually happens
Edexcel GCSE Maths Paper 1 (Non‑calculator) Foundation & Higher Typically sits in May 2026, kick‑starting the sequence.
Edexcel GCSE Maths Paper 2 (Calculator) Foundation & Higher Follows Paper 1 by around a week or more.
Edexcel GCSE Maths Paper 3 (Calculator) Foundation & Higher Final paper – often in early–mid June.

Further Maths GCSE Dates 2026 (AQA & Edexcel)

Further maths students often search further maths gcse dates 2026 once they realise these exams are stacked on top of regular maths. Dates vary by board, but they still sit within the May–June 2026 window.

Sanity saver: colour‑code maths and further maths differently on your timetable so you’re clear on which paper you’re revising for on any given day.

Edexcel English GCSE Dates 2026

Edexcel English follows the same pattern as AQA: Language and Literature papers spread across the window. For edexcel gcse dates 2026 in English, check your school’s timetable alongside the official Edexcel document once it’s released.

GCSE Maths Exam Dates 2026 (All Boards)

Because GCSE maths dates 2026 are such a big anxiety trigger, here’s the structure in one place. Whether you’re on AQA, Edexcel or another board, you’ll almost certainly sit three papers.

GCSE maths exam dates 2026 What this usually means for students
Paper 1 – Non‑calculator Tests core skills without a calculator. Good to plan extra practice on mental methods and written arithmetic in the weeks before.
Paper 2 – Calculator Introduces more complex calculations. Use the gap between papers to plug weak spots from Paper 1.
Paper 3 – Calculator Final chance to show progress. Make sure you’re revising with practice papers under timed conditions by this point.

Need a push to get started? These guides are a good warm‑up while you’re waiting on the exact gcse maths exam dates 2026: Exam revision techniques for GCSE students and Study tips for GCSE students.

GCSE English Exam Dates 2026

For english gcse dates 2026, the main thing to remember is that you’re usually sitting:

  • GCSE English Language Paper 1 & 2
  • GCSE English Literature Paper 1 & 2 (covering plays, novels and poetry)

Exact dates differ between AQA and Edexcel, but they’re spread over May and June. Schools often group English papers with other big subjects, so don’t be surprised if you see a busy two‑week stretch on your timetable.

Want to use the dates to your advantage? Map which text or paper comes first, then stack your revision in that order. For example, if Literature Paper 1 lands before Language Paper 1, focus more on your set texts early on. Start here: An Inspector Calls quotes hub.

GCSE Mock Exam Dates 2026

Searches like gcse mock exam dates 2026 or mock gcse dates 2026 can be frustrating, because there isn’t one national answer. Schools set their own mocks, usually in:

  • Late November – December 2025 (first round of Year 11 mocks)
  • January – March 2026 (second mock window or targeted resits)
“Mocks aren’t just a dress rehearsal – they’re a data point.”
In plain English: they show you what’s working and what absolutely isn’t… while there’s still time to fix it.
If mocks went badly last year (or you’re worried they might): these pieces can help you reset: Beat exam stress – GCSE tips and Achieve exam success with realistic goals.

GCSE Dates 2026 Results Day

For gcse dates 2026 results, you’re looking at late August 2026. The exact Thursday will be confirmed closer to the time, but the pattern is consistent year on year.

  • Results are usually collected from school on the morning of results day.
  • Colleges and sixth forms may ask for grades quickly – have a Plan A and Plan B ready.
  • If things don’t go to plan, there are options (resits, appeals, different course choices).

Important: knowing roughly when results land can actually ease stress during exams – you’re not waiting for a mystery date to jump out at you later.

GCSE Exam Dates 2026 PDF Timetable

If you’ve scrolled here after typing gcse exam dates 2026 pdf or gcse exam dates 2026 timetable into Google, you’re probably a “print it, highlight it, stick it on the fridge” kind of planner.

  • A printable GCSE exam dates 2026 England PDF with space for AQA, Edexcel and OCR subjects.
  • A UK‑wide overview page labelled GCSE Exam Dates 2026 Timetable – UK.pdf.
  • Blank timetable templates so you can add your specific subjects once you have them.
  • Sections for mock exam dates and coursework / NEA deadlines.

Tip: save a digital copy on your phone and a printed copy in your study space so you’re not constantly asking “what’s next?” while you revise.

If you’re planning around the gcse exam dates 2026, these guides will help you actually use the time between now and then well:

GCSE Dates 2026 – Quick FAQ

What are the GCSE exam dates for 2026 in England?

The gcse dates 2026 england window will run through May and June 2026, with exact dates set by AQA, Edexcel, OCR and other boards. Schools share a personalised gcse exam dates 2026 england timetable once entries are confirmed, so use that alongside this guide for the full picture.

What are the GCSE exam dates 2026 for Wales?

For gcse dates 2026 wales, WJEC usually spreads written exams across the same May–June window. Your school will give you a timetable that only includes the subjects you’re actually sitting, which is much easier to read than the full national document.

What are the GCSE exam dates 2026 for Northern Ireland?

GCSE dates 2026 Northern Ireland are set by CCEA, again within May and June 2026. Look out for communication from your school or college once the gcse exam dates 2026 timetable is confirmed.

When are the AQA GCSE exam dates 2026 for maths and English?

The detailed aqa gcse dates 2026 timetable will list three maths papers (one non‑calculator, two calculator) and multiple English Language and Literature papers. These fall within the main window – your school will confirm the exact days for maths gcse dates 2026 and aqa english gcse dates 2026 once entries are final.

When are the Edexcel GCSE exam dates 2026, including maths?

For edexcel gcse dates 2026, expect three maths papers and English Language/Literature spread across May and June. The edexcel maths gcse dates 2026 will follow the familiar three‑paper structure – your school’s timetable is the easiest place to see your exact dates at a glance.

When are the main GCSE maths exam dates 2026?

Across boards, gcse maths exam dates 2026 will include three papers: one non‑calculator and two calculator. They’re usually spaced 1–2 weeks apart between May and June. Once you know your board, highlight those gcse maths dates 2026 first and plan revision around them.

When are the main GCSE English exam dates 2026?

The english gcse dates 2026 for Language and Literature will be spread across the same exam window. Expect at least four key papers (two Language, two Literature), with exact days depending on AQA vs Edexcel and your school’s subject choices.

When will GCSE results be released in 2026?

GCSE dates 2026 results will fall on a Thursday in late August. The exact date will be confirmed nationally closer to the time, but preparing for results day (and what happens if grades are higher or lower than expected) is just as important as knowing when the exams are.

When should Year 11 students start revising for GCSE exams 2026?

Searches for year 11 gcse dates 2026 usually come from students who’ve just realised how close everything is getting. A solid starting point is to build good revision habits from autumn of Year 11, then increase intensity from January onwards. These guides will help you pace yourself: Revise for GCSEs – motivation strategies and 8 tips for GCSE motivation.

Who sets the official GCSE exam dates 2026?

The official gcse exam dates 2026 are set by the exam boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, CCEA). This page is here to help you understand the patterns, plan ahead and stay calm – but your school’s timetable and the official exam board documents will always have the final word on exact dates.

Back to GCSE Ninja home – more help, less stress