GCSE Exam Dates & Timetable 2027

The main GCSE exam period runs from Monday 10th May to Tuesday 22nd June 2027. Wednesday 23rd June is a contingency day, which may be used if exams are disrupted nationally or in a significant local area.

These dates have been confirmed for the 2027 summer exam series. However, you should always check the individual exam timetable provided by your school or exam centre for the dates and times of your exams.

Some assessments take place outside the main written exam period. These can include speaking tests, practical assessments, coursework and other non-exam assessments, depending on your subjects and exam board.

Key Takeaways

• GCSE exams in 2027 start on Monday 10th May, with the final scheduled exams taking place on Tuesday 22nd June.

• Wednesday 23rd June 2027 is a contingency day, so you should remain available in case an exam needs to be rescheduled due to national or significant local disruption.

• Your exact GCSE exam dates depend on your subjects and exam boards, so always check the personal exam timetable provided by your school or exam centre.

When are the GCSE Maths exams in 2027?

GCSE Maths exam dates 2027

When are the GCSE Biology exams in 2027?

GCSE Biology exam dates 2027

When are the GCSE Chemistry exams in 2027?

GCSE Chemistry exam dates 2027

When are the GCSE Physics exams in 2027?

GCSE Physics exam dates 2027

When are the GCSE English Language exams in 2027?

GCSE English Language exam dates 2027

When are the GCSE English Literature exams in 2027?

GCSE English Literature exam dates 2027

When are the GCSE Business exams in 2027?

GCSE Business exam dates 2027

When are the GCSE Computer Science exams in 2027?

GCSE Computer Science exam dates 2027

When are the GCSE Geography exams in 2027?

GCSE Geography exam dates 2027

When are the GCSE History exams in 2027?

GCSE History exam dates 2027

When are the GCSE Religious Studies exams in 2027?

GCSE Religious Studies exam dates 2027

GCSE exam board timetables 2027

When are the Edexcel GCSE exams in 2027?

View the Edexcel GCSE exam timetable 2027 (opens in a new tab) to find the dates and times of all your Edexcel exams.

When are the OCR GCSE exams in 2027?

View the OCR GCSE exam timetable 2027 (opens in a new tab) to find the dates and times of all your OCR exams.

When are the AQA GCSE exams in 2027?

View the AQA GCSE exam timetable 2027 (opens in a new tab) to find the dates and times of all your AQA exams.

Important things to remember

Arrive early: The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) advises arriving at least 10 minutes before the start of your exam, although your school may ask you to arrive earlier. Getting there in plenty of time gives you a chance to check you have everything you need, have some last-minute pep talks with your peers and teachers, and find your seat without rushing before the exam begins.

During my years as a teacher, I always liked to be outside the exam hall to give my students a final “you can do it!” confidence boost before they went in.

Bring the right equipment: Check what you need for each exam in advance. Each exam may require slightly different equipment, such as a calculator for Maths and Science exams. You must write clearly in black ink and, if you use a pencil case, it must be see-through.

If you do forget something, don't panic. Tell an invigilator before the exam starts and they may be able to help.

Leave phones, watches and other unauthorised items outside the exam room: Mobile phones, watches, earbuds and other unauthorised devices must not be taken into the exam room. It isn't worth taking the risk. Having an unauthorised item with you can be treated as malpractice, even if you had no intention of using it.

Do not communicate with anyone during the exam: This includes turning around or trying to get another student's attention. If you need something, feel unwell or need to use the bathroom, simply raise your hand and wait for an invigilator to come to you. 

Communicating with another candidate during an exam is a serious breach of the exam rules and could lead to penalties, including disqualification from the exam. In my 15 years of teaching, I have known this to happen. Do not let this be you!

Turn the pages of your exam papers carefully: This may sound like odd advice, but every year of my teaching career there was always the one student who came out of an exam, excitedly discussing with their friends each question, for them to suddenly realise they had missed a page or not seen the last page. Check every page, and then check again!

Leave all exam materials in the examination hall: You cannot remove any examination material, such as the question paper, answer booklets, or your rough work, from the examination hall. This is considered malpractice and a breach of exam security; you may be disqualified from the examination. 

GCSE Exams FAQs

What happens if you miss a GCSE exam?

If you miss a GCSE exam, contact your school or exam centre as soon as possible. If you were absent because of illness or another exceptional circumstance, your school may be able to apply for special consideration, depending on your circumstances and whether you meet the eligibility requirements.

What happens if you miss a GCSE exam due to illness in the UK?

Tell your school or exam centre as soon as possible if illness prevents you from sitting an exam. They can advise you about the next steps and whether you may be eligible for special consideration. The contingency day is not designed to let you catch up if you miss an individual exam.

How long are GCSE exams?

The length of a GCSE exam depends on the subject, paper and exam board. Many written exams last between around 45 minutes and two hours, although some assessments take longer. Check your personal exam timetable for the exact duration of each paper.

How many GCSE exams are there?

There is no fixed number of GCSE exams because it depends on the subjects and qualifications you take. Most GCSE subjects include more than one exam or assessment, so check your exam timetable carefully when planning your revision.

How long is the GCSE exam season?

The main GCSE exam period in 2027 runs from 10th May to 22nd June, with 23rd June reserved as a contingency day. Some assessments, including speaking tests and practical or non-exam assessments, may take place outside this period.

What should you bring to a GCSE exam?

Bring the equipment required for your exam, including black pens and any permitted subject-specific equipment. Pencil cases must be see-through, and you should check your school's instructions about items such as water bottles. Mobile phones, watches and other unauthorised devices must not be taken into the exam room.

What day is GCSE Results Day 2027?

GCSE Results Day 2027 is Thursday 19th August. Your school or exam centre will tell you when and how you can collect or access your results.

Get ready for your GCSE exams

Once you know your exam dates, you can build your revision plan around them. Create a study plan or find out more about the best revision techniques for GCSE exams in Save My Exams’ Learning Hub. You can also explore our GCSE revision resources for revision notes, exam questions, past papers and examiner tips to help you get exam-ready. 

References:

• AQA GCSE Exam Timetable 2027 (opens in a new tab)

• Pearson Edexcel GCSE Exam Timetable 2027 (opens in a new tab)

• OCR GCSE Exam Timetable 2027 (opens in a new tab)