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Are you taking your GCSE exams in 2026? We’ve got the key dates you need to stay on track.
Understanding the key dates for all your GCSE exams in advance will help you plan your revision time (and your family holidays!), so you can get the grades you’re aiming for.
To help you out, we’ve pulled together all the key dates you’ll need to mark in your calendar for GCSE exam season. Don’t forget to bookmark this page to stay on track.
This blog will cover:
When GCSE mocks start and end
When GCSE's start and end for 2026
Key exam dates for your core GCSEs for AQA, OCR and Edexcel
When do GCSE mocks start?
First up, before we can talk about the actual exams, we need to talk about GCSE mocks.
Your Year 11 GCSE mock tests can take place between November and January. The actual dates of your mocks will be set by your school, so it’s important to check in with your teachers and your school website for more information.
Find out more about revising for mocks in our guide.
When do I get my GCSE mock results?
Your school will set the date for your GCSE mock results. Again, this can vary depending on your school, but most schools set a mock results day to mimic the real thing once all the papers have been marked.
When do GCSE exams start in 2026?
GCSE exams will start the week of Monday, 4th May 2026. This is the first week exams will be held.
Exam schedules will be provided by your school ahead of time to help you prepare, and you can find exam dates for core subjects listed below.
Find out more about how GCSEs are graded in our guide.
When do GCSE exams finish in 2026?
This is the date you’ll want to circle on your calendar!
GCSE exams end on Friday, 26th June 2026. This is the last official date that any exams are held; if you’re lucky, your actual exams may end before this.
When is GCSE results day 2026?
GCSE results day will be Thursday, 20th August 2026. It’s set on the third Thursday of August every year.
Key GCSE exam dates for 2026: core subjects
We’ve collated the key dates you need to know for all your core subjects: English Literature, English Language, Maths (Foundation and Higher), and Combined and Triple Science.
Taken from the AQA, OCR and Edexcel exam timetables, here are your exam dates:
Monday, 11th May 2026
AQA, English Literature, Paper 1
Edexcel, English Literature, Paper 1
OCR, English Literature, Paper 1
Tuesday, 12th May 2026
AQA, Biology (Separate), Paper 1
AQA, Combined Science (Triple), Biology
Edexcel, Biology (Separate), Paper 1
Edexcel, Combined Science, Biology
OCR, Combined Science B, Biology (Foundation)
OCR, Combined Science B, Biology (Higher)
Thursday, 14th May 2026
AQA, Maths (Foundation and Higher), Paper 1 (Non-Calculator)
Edexcel, Maths (Foundation and Higher), Paper 1 (Non-Calculator)
OCR, Maths (Foundation), Paper 1F
OCR, Maths (Higher), Paper 4H
Monday, 18th May 2026
AQA, Chemistry (Separate), Paper 1
AQA, Combined Science, Chemistry
Edexcel, Chemistry (Separate), Paper 1
OCR Gateway, Combined Science A (Higher), Chemistry Paper 9
OCR, Combined Science B (Foundation), Chemistry (Foundation)
OCR, Combined Science B (Higher), Chemistry (Higher)
Tuesday, 19th May 2026
AQA, English Literature, Paper 2
Edexcel, English Literature, Paper 2
OCR, English Literature, Paper 2
Thursday, 21st May 2026
AQA, English Language, Paper 1
Edexcel, English Language, Paper 1
OCR, English Language, Paper 1
Tuesday, 2nd June 2026
AQA, Physics (Separate), Paper 1
AQA, Combined Science (Trilogy), Physics
Edexcel, Physics (Separate), Paper 1
Edexcel, Combined Science, Physics
OCR Gateway, Combined Science A (Higher), Physics Paper 11
OCR, Combined Science B (Foundation), Physics
OCR, Combined Science B (Higher), Physics
Wednesday, 3rd June 2026
AQA, Maths (Foundation and Higher), Paper 2 (Calculator)
Edexcel, Maths (Foundation and Higher), Paper 2 (Calculator)
OCR, Maths (Foundation), Paper 2F
OCR, Maths (Higher), Paper 5H
Friday, 5th June 2026
AQA, English Language, Paper 2
Edexcel, English Language, Paper 2
OCR, English Language, Paper 2
Monday, 8th June 2026
AQA, Biology (Separate), Paper 2
Edexcel, Biology (Separate), Paper 2
OCR Gateway, Combined Science A (Higher), Biology Paper 8
OCR, Combined Science B (Foundation), Combined Science
OCR, Combined Science B (Higher), Combined Science
Wednesday, 10th June 2026
AQA, Maths (Foundation and Higher), Paper 3 (Calculator)
Edexcel, Maths (Foundation and Higher), Paper 3 (Calculator)
OCR, Maths (Foundation), Paper 3F
OCR, Maths (Higher), Paper 4H
Friday, 12th June 2026
AQA, Chemistry (Separate), Paper 2
Edexcel, Chemistry (Separate), Paper 2
Edexcel, Combined Science, Chemistry
OCR Gateway, Combined Science A (Higher), Chemistry Paper 10
Monday, 15th June 2026
AQA, Physics (Separate), Paper 2
Edexcel, Physics (Separate), Paper 2
OCR Gateway, Combined Science A (Higher), Physics Paper 12
Please note that these dates are correct at the time of writing, but may change. Always check with your school and the official exam board for the final dates.
Exam board timetables for GCSEs 2026
To check dates for the rest of your subjects and other GCSE exam boards, take a look at the full exam timetables for each below:
If you don’t know which GCSE exam board you’re studying with, check in with your school teachers for more information or take a look at our guide to exam boards for more advice.
Getting prepared for the 2026 GCSE exams early is always a good idea. With all these dates marked on your calendar, you’re sure to stay on track with your revision and hit your learning goals.
Good luck!
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