GCSE exam timetable 2026
Data source: JCQ key dates & post-results services (June 2026) · 2026 data · checked July 2026How we verify →
GCSE written exams run Thursday 7 May 2026 – Wednesday 17 June 2026 on the JCQ common timetable, with results on Thursday 20 August 2026. These are the national anchor dates — your exact paper dates come from your board's timetable.
| Key date | 2026 |
|---|---|
| First exam (common timetable) | Thursday 7 May 2026 |
| Last exam (common timetable) | Wednesday 17 June 2026 |
| Contingency day | Wednesday 24 June 2026 |
| Results day | Thursday 20 August 2026 |
Source: JCQ key dates, June 2026 series.
Keep the contingency day free. Wednesday 24 June 2026is reserved across the country in case exams have to be rescheduled after a national or major local disruption. Don't book travel or anything else until your exams are finished.
Your exact paper dates
The window above is common to all boards, but each subject and paper is scheduled on a specific day by your exam board. Check the official timetable for your board:
(Board links go to each board's official dates & timetables page, where the current exam timetable is published.)
After the exams
See GCSE results day 2026 for when and how you get your grades, plus the post-results review deadlines.