GCSE exam dates 2026 (with times, half term & key subjects)

 

The GCSE exam dates 2026 run from Monday 11 May to Wednesday 17 June, with a half-term break in between.

 

Key GCSE exam dates at a glance:

• Start of main exams: Monday 11 May

• Half term: Monday 25 May – Friday 29 May

• Exams resume: Monday 1 June

• Final exam: Wednesday 17 June

• Contingency day: Wednesday 24 June

 

Week 1 (11–15 May)

Monday 11 May

• English Literature Paper 1 (AM)

• Business Paper 1 (PM)

 

Tuesday 12 May

• Religious Studies Paper 1 (AM)

• Biology Paper 1 (PM)

 

Wednesday 13 May

• Geography Paper 1 (AM)

• Computer Science Paper 1 (PM)

 

Thursday 14 May

• Maths Paper 1 (Non-Calculator) (AM)

 

Friday 15 May

• History Paper 1 (AM)

 

Week 2 (18–22 May) — BUSIEST week

Monday 18 May

• Chemistry Paper 1 (PM)

 

Tuesday 19 May

• English Literature Paper 2 (AM)

• Computer Science Paper 2 (PM)

 

Wednesday 20 May

• Religious Studies Paper 2 (AM)

• French Listening & Reading (PM)

 

Thursday 21 May

• English Language Paper 1 (AM)

• Business Paper 2 (PM)

 

Friday 22 May

• PE Paper 1 (AM)

 

Half Term (25–29 May) - No exams scheduled.

This is the most important revision window before:

• Maths Paper 2

• Physics Paper 1

• English Language Paper 2

• Remaining Science papers

 

Week 3 (1–5 June)

Monday 1 June

• PE Paper 2 (AM)

 

Tuesday 2 June

• Physics Paper 1 (PM)

 

Wednesday 3 June

• Maths Paper 2 (Calculator) (AM)

• Geography Paper 2 (PM)

 

Thursday 4 June

• History Paper 2 (AM)

• French Writing (PM)

 

Friday 5 June

• English Language Paper 2 (AM)

• Music (PM)

 

Week 4 (8–12 June)

Monday 8 June

• Biology Paper 2 (PM)

 

Tuesday 9 June

• Spanish Listening & Reading (AM)

• History Paper 3 (PM)

 

Wednesday 10 June

• Maths Paper 3 (AM)

 

Thursday 11 June

• Geography Paper 3 (AM)

• Food Preparation & Nutrition (PM)

 

Friday 12 June

• Chemistry Paper 2 (PM)

 

Final Week (15–17 June)

Monday 15 June

• Physics Paper 2 (PM)

 

Tuesday 16 June

• Spanish Writing (PM)

 

Wednesday 17 June

• Final GCSE exam day

 

Main GCSE subjects covered in this timetable:

• English Literature

• English Language

• Maths (all 3 papers)

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Physics

• Combined Science

• History

• Geography

• Religious Studies

• Computer Science

• French / Spanish

• Business

• PE

 

The real pressure points:

• Week 2: English + Chemistry + languages

• Week 3: Maths + Physics + English Language

• Week 4–5: Science papers still ongoing

 

How to use this timetable properly

The correct approach is:

• Revise in exam order, not topic order

• Prioritise next exam first

• Maintain revision across all weeks

 

Where structured support makes the difference

During GCSE exams, students need:

• clear weekly focus

• feedback on exam answers

• consistent structure

 

FAQ

What time do GCSE exams start?
AM exams usually start around 9:00am, PM exams around 1:00pm.

When is GCSE half term during exams?
25–29 May 2026.

When do GCSE exams finish in 2026?
17 June 2026.

 

Important: Exact exam dates and times may vary slightly depending on exam board (AQA, Edexcel or OCR). Always check your child’s final school timetable for confirmation.1