What Happens If I'm Late for an IGCSE Exam?

Running late for an exam is one of those anxieties that almost every student fears. What happens if I’m late for an IGCSE exam? Will they let me in? What if I miss it completely? Will all that hard work be wasted? 

The good news is that being a few minutes late to an exam rarely means disaster. Schools follow clear procedures. In many cases, you will still be allowed to sit the exam and your work will be marked.

We know how important your IGCSEs are. This guide takes you through what counts as being late, what schools and exam boards do in different situations, and the steps you should take if something goes wrong. It should help you stay calm and understand your options if problems occur.

Key Takeaways

• Being a little late for an IGCSE exam is usually not a big problem. Most schools will still let you sit the paper, and you will get the full exam time.

• You are only considered very late if you arrive more than one hour after the official start time (or after the exam has finished if it lasts less than an hour).

• If you are very late, your school must report it to the exam board. Most scripts are still accepted and marked.

• If you arrive after the exam has ended, you cannot sit the paper and will be marked absent.

• If you realise you are running late, contact your school, stay calm, and get there safely.

What Counts as Being Late to an IGCSE Exam?

Different IGCSE exam boards have slightly different rules, but the idea is the same across Cambridge (opens in a new tab), Edexcel (opens in a new tab), and OxfordAQA (opens in a new tab). You are classed as late or very late, depending on how late you arrive after the start time.

You are “late” if you arrive after the exam has started

This covers most everyday situations. You might be ten minutes late because of traffic or a delayed bus. In these cases, you are still treated as a standard late candidate.

Schools can decide whether to let you into the exam room, and in most cases, they will. If you are allowed to sit the paper, you will get the full exam time.

You are “very late” if you arrive much later than the official start time

Although wording differs slightly, all boards follow the same idea. You are considered very late if:

• you arrive more than one hour after the official start time for an exam lasting one hour or more.

• you arrive after the exam has finished for an exam lasting less than one hour.

For Edexcel and OxfordAQA, this one-hour rule is clearly defined. Cambridge uses a Key Time system, but the outcome is very similar.

If you are very late, your school must report it

This is routine and nothing to panic about. Your script is still sent for marking, although in rare cases the exam board may decide not to accept it. 

You will see how this works in the next section.

What Happens If You're Late for an IGCSE Exam?

What actually happens depends on how late you are, but the good news is that most students who arrive late can still sit the exam and have their work marked. 

Here are the most common situations and what schools do in each one.

You arrive a few minutes late (within the first 15–30 minutes)

This is the most common situation and the least serious.

What happens:

• The school will usually allow you to enter the exam room.

• You will still get the full time for the paper.

• You won’t lose marks for being late.

• The school does not need to report this to the exam board.

This is not treated as a big issue. Most students in this situation complete their exam normally.

You arrive late, but within the first hour

This is still classed as being late, not very late, for most exams lasting an hour or more.

What happens:

• The school decides whether to let you sit the exam.

• If they do, you get the full exam time.

• Your script will be marked normally.

• No report is usually needed.

Exam boards understand that delays happen, so this situation is usually fine.

You arrive very late, more than one hour after the official start time

For all major exam boards, arriving more than an hour late for a longer exam means you are classed as very late.

What happens:

• The school can still choose to let you sit the exam.

• If you are allowed to take it, you get the full exam time.

• The school must report your arrival to the exam board.

• Your script will still be sent for marking.

Most scripts are accepted, unless the exam board believes you may have had access to the paper before arriving. This is rare.

You arrive after the exam has finished

This is the one situation where there is no flexibility.

What happens:

• You cannot sit the paper.

• You will be marked absent.

• The school usually does not need to send a report.

Your exams officer will talk you through your next steps if this happens.

Can You Still Take the Exam If You’re Late?

In most cases, yes. All major IGCSE exam boards allow schools to let you sit the exam even if you arrive after it has started. The important thing is that your school decides what happens, not the exam board.

If your school allows you to take the exam:

• you will be given the full exam time

• you will not lose marks for being late

• your script will be sent for marking as normal

• the school will only report it to the board if you were very late 

Even “very late” candidates usually have their paper marked. The exam board may review the circumstances, but they only reject scripts in rare cases where exam security may have been compromised.

The only situation where you cannot sit the paper is if you arrive after the exam has finished. In that case, you will be marked absent, and your school cannot override the rules.

Will You Lose Marks for Being Late?

No. You will not lose marks for arriving late to an IGCSE exam. Exam boards do not deduct marks for lateness, and your work is marked in exactly the same way as everyone else’s.

If you are allowed to sit the exam:

• you get the full exam time

• your answers are marked normally

• your lateness does not appear on your results sheet

The only risk arises if you are classed as very late and the board believes exam security may have been compromised. This is rare.

As long as you have had no contact with anyone who finished the exam, your paper should be marked without issue.

What Should You Do If You’re Running Late?

If you realise you are going to be late, the most important thing is to stay calm. You still have a very good chance of being allowed to sit the exam. Schools deal with late arrivals every year, and they know exactly what to do.

Here is a simple checklist to follow:

• Call your school immediately and let them know you are on your way.

• Do not rush unsafely.

• Avoid contacting friends who have already gone into the exam.

• Bring your candidate number and ID.

• Report straight to reception or the exams officer when you arrive.

• Stay calm, even if you feel stressed.

Your school may try calling your parent or guardian to check whether you are on your way. This is normal and is meant to help you arrive in time to take the exam.

What If You Miss the Exam Completely?

Missing an exam is stressful, but you still have options. What happens next depends on the exam board, your school, and whether you are a school candidate or a private candidate.

Here is what you need to know if you miss an IGCSE exam:

You cannot sit the paper later

Exam boards do not allow a missed paper to be taken on another day. If you arrive after the exam has finished, you will be marked absent for that paper.

You may still be able to get a grade

Some exam boards can award a grade if you miss a paper for a serious, documented reason. This is not guaranteed, and your school will guide you through the process if it applies.

Grades may be awarded if:

• you have completed enough of the course

• there is clear evidence of your ability (for example, coursework or other exam components)

• the reason for missing the paper meets the exam board’s rules

Medical emergencies or serious unexpected events may qualify. Oversleeping or missing the bus usually will not.

You may need to resit

If a grade cannot be awarded, you can usually:

• resit the exam in the next exam series, or

• switch to a different qualification route if your school agrees

Private candidates may need to re-book the exam with their centre.

Your school will help you decide what to do

If you miss an exam, speak to your exams officer or teacher as soon as possible. They will know the correct steps to take and can explain your options clearly.

How to Avoid Being Late for Your Exam

The easiest way to avoid stress on exam day is to prepare well in advance. Use our IGCSE exam checklist to help you, and download our exam anxiety relief kit if you feel the nerves building.

Here are some simple steps to help you arrive calm, confident, and on time:

• Know your timetable and double-check it the night before.

• Plan your route and allow extra time for delays.

• Prepare everything the night before.

• Set more than one alarm.

• Aim to arrive 20–30 minutes early.

• Avoid talking to students who sat earlier exams.

Our guide on what to do the night before your exam may help you to develop habits that will help you feel organised and in control on exam day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How late can I be and still sit the exam?

Most schools will still let you sit the exam if you arrive after the start time. You will normally get the full time. 

Decisions are made by your school, not the exam board, and schools try to help wherever possible.

What is considered “very late” by exam boards?

For most exam boards, you are “very late” if you arrive more than one hour after the official start time, or after the exam has finished if it is less than an hour long. 

In these cases, the school must report your late arrival, but your script is still usually marked.

Will my paper be marked if I arrive an hour late?

Yes. Schools must send your script for marking. The exam board reviews the circumstances, but most scripts are accepted as long as exam security rules were followed.

Can I take the exam on another day if I miss it?

No. You cannot take an IGCSE paper on a different day once the scheduled exam has finished. If you miss it completely, your school will talk you through your options, including possible resits.

Will my school tell my parents if I’m late?

Often, yes. Schools may contact parents or guardians if a student has not arrived on time, especially if it may help the student reach the exam in time to sit it.

Final Thoughts

Being late for an IGCSE exam can feel scary, but it is usually not the disaster it seems. In most cases, you will still be allowed to sit the exam and your work will be marked normally. Exam boards understand that unexpected things happen, and schools follow clear procedures to make sure the process is fair.

The most important thing is to stay calm, get to school safely, and avoid speaking to anyone who has already taken the exam. If you do miss the paper completely, your school will guide you through your next steps and help you understand your options.

Use Save My Exams’ wide range of IGCSE revision resources to boost your exam preparation. They can help you prepare to walk into your exams feeling confident, organised and ready to do your best. 95% of students who use Save My Exams report getting better grades*. We can’t get you to the exam room on time, but we can help with everything else!

References

• Cambridge Handbook 2025 (opens in a new tab)

• Exams guidance | OxfordAQA International Qualifications (opens in a new tab)

• JCQ | Instructions for Conducting Examinations 2024-25 (opens in a new tab)

• Save My Exams Attainment Survey of 1917 students, September 2025