IGCSE Resits: The Ultimate Guide to Retaking IGCSE Exams

Didn’t get the IGCSE results you hoped for? As disheartening as it may be, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone and there’s still time to show what you’re capable of. IGCSE resits are a great way to improve your grades and get back on track for sixth form, college or whatever your next steps may be. 

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about IGCSE resits: who is eligible, when they take place, key deadlines and how to prepare for a better result next time.

Can you resit IGCSEs and who is eligible?

Yes, it is absolutely possible to resit your IGCSE exams. If your first attempt didn’t quite go as planned, you can try for a better result in your resits. 

You might consider retaking an IGCSE exam if: 

• You didn’t achieve the grade you needed for your next steps (e.g. sixth form or university)

• You want to improve your score

• You feel you could do better with more preparation 

Anyone can take a resit, whether you're still at school or registering privately. Cambridge (CIE), Edexcel and OxfordAQA International allow resits, and you can usually take them as soon as the next available exam session.

When can you resit IGCSEs?

Most IGCSEs are offered in two exam series each year:

• May/June

• October/November

This means you can usually resit just a few months after getting your IGCSE results, which falls on Tuesday 19th August 2025 if your exam board is CIE, or Thursday 21st August 2025 if your exam board is Edexcel or OxfordAQA. 

Deadlines for registering are usually a couple of months before the exam, so plan ahead!

How to resit IGCSEs

If you’re weighing up whether to resit any of your IGCSE exams, the process may vary slightly depend on which exam board you're with. But overall, here’s how you should approach it:

1. Decide if a resit is right for you

Before registering to resit, reflect on your current grade and target grade, whether the subject is required for sixth form/university and how prepared you are to improve your result. 

You might want to discuss this with your teachers or family members to help reach a decision. 

2. Know which exam board you’re with

Edexcel and CIE are two of the main boards offering IGCSEs. You can usually find your exam board on your original results certificate. It’s important to check that you’re registering for a resit with the right board, as the syllabus for each course can differ. 

You don't want to spend your time revising a topic like differentiation only to find it's not even included in your exam board's syllabus… 

3. Choose your exam session

As mentioned, there are two IGCSE exam series each year: one in May/June and another in October/November.

Not all subjects are offered in both sessions, so check when the IGCSE exam resit dates are for your subject.

4. Register for the resit

If you're still at school, your school may help you to register. They’ll also let you know about any internal deadlines and fees. 

If you’re a private candidate, you’ll need to contact an approved exam centre to arrange your entry. Some centres publish deadlines and costs on their websites, so do your research early.

5. Pay the entry fee

Unfortunately, IGCSE resits come at a cost. The cost varies depending on the exam board and whether you’re paying as a private candidate or going through your school. To find out how much IGCSE resits are, speak to your exams officer or contact the exam board directly. 

6. Switch up your revision strategy

Once you’re registered, try to come up with a strong revision plan. Identify what may have gone wrong last time––did you try to cram too much revision into a short timeframe? Did you experience burnout and find that the information just wasn’t sticking? 

This time around, create a revision timetable to ensure you’re dedicating enough time to each topic. Make sure to factor in extra time to focus on the areas you find most challenging. Keep reading for more tips on how to prepare for your IGCSE resits. 

7. Sit the exam

It’s crunch time! Your IGCSE resit will follow the same format as the original exam. You’ll receive a timetable, sit the exam at your registered centre and receive your results around 6–8 weeks later. 

What are the benefits of retaking IGCSE exams?

Try to view retaking your exams as an opportunity to prove to yourself that you can achieve more. Resitting gives you the chance to improve your grade, whether you narrowly missed a grade boundary or had a tough exam day.

A second attempt can raise your results and open up more academic or career options. If you didn’t meet the entry requirements for sixth form or college, a successful resit can help you secure your place. This is especially important for core subjects like Maths and English, which are often compulsory.

How to prepare for IGCSE resits

Now that you’ve committed to retaking your exams, it’s important to make sure your revision is as effective as it can be.

Passively reading over your notes isn’t the best approach––active revision is key. 

Doing things differently this time is a must. Here’s how to bounce back stronger:

1. Review what went wrong: Was it timing? Content gaps? Nerves?

2. Set new goals: Aim for a specific grade and create a revision plan.

3. Use high quality resources: Save My Exams offers clear revision notes, exam-style questions, flashcards, past papers and more to make sure you’re getting the most out of your revision. 

4. Practise past papers: Time yourself and review your mistakes.

5. Identify weak areas: Use your revision and past learnings to identify areas of weakness, and make sure to dedicate more time to these.

How do IGCSE resits affect my sixth form/college place?

If you didn’t quite hit the grades you needed in your IGCSEs, you might be wondering how retaking affects your place at sixth form, college, or even future university applications. 

IGCSE resits can help you get back on track, and in most cases, they’re accepted by colleges as long as you act early and communicate clearly.

Colleges and sixth forms often make conditional offers based on your predicted or target IGCSE grades. They usually ask for:

• At least five IGCSE passes (Grade C/4 or higher)

• Often Grade 4 or higher in Maths and English

If you don’t meet these conditions:

• Some colleges may still accept you, especially if you were close or have strong references.

• Others might offer you a different course with the option to progress later.

• In many cases, you can resit key subjects (especially English and Maths) alongside your college studies, or request to resit before starting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I resit more than one IGCSE subject?

Yes, you can retake all of your IGCSEs if you choose to do so. You can resit any IGCSE, regardless of your previous results. But remember, there will be a fee to resit each exam, and this may soon add up. 

What grades do I need to pass an IGCSE?

Depending on the IGCSE grading system for your exam board, you’ll either receive your results using the numeric grading system (9-1) or letter grading system (A*-G). 

For the numeric system, 9 is the highest result you can achieve, while 1 is the lowest. A ‘pass’ is considered to be a Grade 4 and above. 

For the letter grading system, an A* is the highest grade you can achieve, while a G is the lowest. A ‘pass’ is considered to be a Grade C and above. 

What if I do worse in my resit?

Thankfully, your original grade still stands, meaning you can choose to use whichever grade is higher. If you do worse in a resit, this doesn’t cancel out your original higher grade.

Is there a deadline for IGCSE resits?

Yes, you’ll have to register for your resits by the exam board’s deadline, or you’ll have to pay a late fee (on top of the cost to resit the exam). 

So far, CIE is the only exam board to have released their exact deadline for retake entries for the November 2025 session. Their deadline for retake entries is 21st September 2025.

Edexcel and OxfordAQA are expected to have similar deadlines (around mid-September) for those resitting in the November 2025 exam series, but check with your school and/or by contacting the exam board directly. 

Where can I retake my IGCSE exams?

You can either retake your exams in your school or college if this is an option, or enrol as a private candidate at an approved exam centre. You can find your nearest approved exam centre by checking the exam board’s website: 

• CIE: Find an exam centre

• Find an international centre | Pearson (Edexcel) 

Ace your IGCSE exams with Save My Exams

Whether your IGCSE results are worth celebrating or you’re already thinking about how to improve next year, Save My Exams can help you. 

Join over 2 million students who trust Save My Exams and gain access to high quality, teacher-written revision resources. You’ll find everything from concise revision notes and exam-style questions to flashcards, each tailored to your specific exam board. This way, you can guarantee you’re only studying exactly what you need to know. 

Explore our IGCSE revision resources. 

References

Find an exam centre | CIE  

Find an international centre | Pearson (Edexcel)