Updated 23-February-2026
Every year, students and private candidates ask the same thing: “What are the key GCSE dates I need to know?”
And it’s a fair question — because GCSEs involve more than just your exam papers. There’s an overall exam window, official contingency arrangements, results day, and post-results deadlines that many people only discover at the last minute.
This guide gives you a clear, UK-focused overview of the GCSE key dates for 2026, written in a calm, practical way — so you can plan revision properly and avoid unnecessary stress.
In the UK, the main GCSE exam series in 2026 is scheduled to run from Monday 4 May 2026 to Friday 26 June 2026.
That window covers most written GCSE papers across the main awarding bodies (exam boards). Your exact dates will still depend on your board and subject, so the safest approach is:
Know the national exam window (so you can plan your schedule)
Then confirm your personal timetable (so you can plan subject-by-subject)
👉 Internal link (recommended): GCSE Exam Timetable 2026 (All Boards)
https://examcentrelondon.co.uk/details/GCSE-Exam-Timetable-2026-UK-All-Boards-Key-Dates/107
Here are the dates most students should put in their calendar:
GCSE exams begin: Monday 4 May 2026
National contingency day: Wednesday 24 June 2026
GCSE exam window ends: Friday 26 June 2026
GCSE results day (students): Thursday 20 August 2026
Schools/centres receive results: Wednesday 19 August 2026
Note: “Contingency day” exists in case an exam needs to be rescheduled nationally. You should treat it as an available exam day and avoid booking travel or commitments if possible.
The overall exam window is shared, but individual paper dates can differ between boards.
The main GCSE awarding bodies include:
AQA
Pearson Edexcel
OCR
WJEC / Eduqas
Each board publishes its own timetable and administrative guidance (entries, special consideration rules, etc.). JCQ also publishes key date documents for exam series planning.
If you’re sitting GCSEs privately (home-educated, adult learner, resit candidate), the most important thing is to avoid leaving admin tasks too late.
A smart checklist looks like this:
Confirm your exam board and subjects early
Use the national exam window to plan revision
Register with an approved centre in time
Keep your ID requirements and exam-day rules clear
Plan your results-day next steps (college, sixth form, resits)
👉 Internal link (recommended): Book your GCSE exams as a private candidate
https://examcentrelondon.co.uk/gcse-exams
GCSE Results Day in 2026 is expected on Thursday 20 August 2026.
On the day, most students can collect results from around morning opening time (exact time depends on the centre).
Results day is when students typically:
Confirm sixth form/college places
Decide on resits (if needed)
Request reviews of marking if something looks wrong
JCQ also publishes post-results services guidance and deadlines for reviews and related processes.
If you only do one thing after reading this page, do this:
Put the key dates in your calendar now, then build a revision plan backwards from your first exam.
GCSE success is rarely about last-minute panic. It’s usually about consistent preparation, realistic scheduling, and using the right practice materials at the right time.
This page will be updated as boards release timetable updates, so bookmark it and check back closer to the exam series.
GCSE Exam Timetable 2026 (All Boards): https://examcentrelondon.co.uk/details/GCSE-Exam-Timetable-2026-UK-All-Boards-Key-Dates/107
Book GCSE exams as a private candidate: https://examcentrelondon.co.uk/gcse-exams
GCSE Results Day 2026 guide: https://examcentrelondon.co.uk/details/GCSE-Results-Day-2026-UK-Date-What-to-Expect-Next-Steps/109
JCQ Key Dates & Timetables (authority): https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/key-dates-and-timetables/
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