If you’re homeschooling or studying outside the traditional school system, you’ll need to sit your GCSEs as a private candidate. However, without the help of trained and experienced professionals in a school or college, you might be unsure of where to begin.
This guide is designed to walk you through the process step by step, from choosing subjects and finding an exam centre to registering, preparing, and receiving your results.
Whether you're a parent planning your child's home education or a student managing your own learning, this practical advice will help you navigate the system with confidence.
Choose Your Subjects
Start by deciding which GCSE subjects you want to take. Here’s how to narrow it down:
Core subjects, such as English Language, Maths, and Science, are often required by colleges and employers. Prioritise these if you're unsure.
Additional subjects: Consider your interests, future career, or A Level plans. Consider subjects that align with your goals, such as History, Geography, Psychology, or Art.
Check Entry Requirements: If you're targeting a specific sixth form, apprenticeship, or university course, check which GCSE subjects and grades they expect before making your final choices.
Read more: Full List of GCSE Subjects to Choose From
Find a Private Exam Centre
As a private candidate, you can’t sit exams at home. You’ll need to book your exams at an approved private exam centre.
Where to look:
Contact local schools or colleges. Many accommodate private entries.
Try national services like Tutors & Exams or ITS Education.
Seek out home-education centres. Many have access arrangements for exam arrangements and facilities for coursework supervision
What to check:
Does the centre offer your chosen subjects?
Can they handle non-exam assessment (NEA) or practicals if needed (e.g. in Science or English Speaking)?
What are their entry deadlines and fees?
Register for Private GCSE Exams
Once you’ve chosen your centre, it’s time to register.
Registration window:
The main GCSE exams are in May and June. There is a registration deadline.
The standard deadline is mid-February, but check the specific date with your chosen centre.
Late registration is possible, but it will mean payment of additional fees.
What you’ll need:
Proof of ID such as a passport or birth certificate.
UCI number (if you’ve taken GCSEs before).
Name of exam board and specification (for example, AQA English Language 8700).
As a teacher with responsibility for registering hundreds of students for GCSE and A Level exams over the years, my advice is to check (and double check) the correct specification.
Each course, regardless of the exam board, has a specific code; take care to ensure your details are correct at this stage. If you’re unsure, consult the exam board website to check the details.
There are fees for sitting GCSEs as a private candidate. Typically, a private GCSE exam costs between £150 and £250 per subject, depending on whether the subject includes coursework or practical elements.
Prepare for Your Exams
As a private candidate, you’re responsible for your own preparation, but there are plenty of resources to help.
Study options:
Independent study: You may choose to study the whole course independently. Buy the correct textbooks aligned with your exam board to help. Most exam boards provide details of these resources on the website for your course.
Online courses: You could opt for online learning colleges to help you, if your finances permit.
Hiring a tutor: You may want to consider hiring a tutor for subjects you’re finding challenging, or to help guide you through coursework elements.
Revision resources:
Past papers: Get an idea of what your exam will look like by looking at official past exam papers from exam board websites.
Mark schemes & examiner reports: Don’t forget to look on exam board websites for these resources, which are great for understanding how marks are awarded.
Save My Exams: Offers topic-based revision notes, model answers, and practice questions tailored to your exam board.
Read more: Revision Tips
Sit the Exams
Exams are usually held in May and June each year. Some subjects are also available in November for resits.
Before the exam:
Check your exam timetable and venue details carefully.
Bring valid photo ID and any allowed materials (e.g. calculator, pens, ruler).
On the day:
Arrive early and follow the centre’s rules.
Sit each exam under full exam conditions, just as school students would.
Get Your Results
GCSE results are released on the same day for all candidates, usually in August.
How to get your results: Your exam centre will provide login details for online results or post printed results directly.
Certificates: These are issued later in the autumn and should be kept safely. You’ll need them for college, university or job applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do private GCSE exams cost?
Private GCSE exam fees usually range from £100 to £250 per subject.
Costs depend on the exam board, the subject (especially if coursework or practicals are involved), and the exam centre. Some centres may charge additional admin fees, and late registration can increase the price. For example, core subjects like Maths are generally cheaper than coursework-based subjects like Art or English with a speaking component.
What subjects can I take privately as a GCSE student?
Most standard GCSE subjects can be taken privately, though availability varies by exam centre.
Core subjects, such as English, Maths, and Science, are widely available. Many centres also offer subjects such as History, Geography, Business Studies, and Languages. However, subjects with coursework, non-exam assessments, or practicals (such as Art, Drama, or Music) may be more challenging to arrange and aren't always accepted at all centres. Always check what each centre offers before registering.
Will colleges and universities view private GCSEs differently?
No. Private GCSEs are treated the same as those taken in school, as long as they are from recognised exam boards.
Colleges and universities are interested in your qualifications, not how or where you studied for them. As long as your GCSEs are from official boards like AQA, Edexcel, or OCR, they carry full academic value. What matters most is your grade and whether you meet any specific subject requirements, especially in English and Maths.
Final Thoughts
For homeschooling families, sitting GCSEs privately is a process that requires careful planning, but is entirely manageable with the right guidance. In fact, it provides you with a flexible and fully recognised path to qualifications. Many students use this process to gain strong GCSE results and progress to further education or apprenticeships. With focus and support, your child can succeed outside a traditional classroom.
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