A-Levels 2026 Exam Timetable
📅 Quick Overview: A-Level examinations for 2026 will run from May to June 2026 (Summer Series) and October to November 2026 (Autumn Series). Results for Summer 2026 exams will be released on Thursday, 13th August 2026.
Key Dates for A-Levels 2026
Summer 2026 Series (May/June)
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Exams Begin | Tuesday, 5th May 2026 | First exams: Accounting, Psychology, Biology (Pearson Edexcel) |
| Exam Period | 5th May - 12th June 2026 | Main examination period (approximately 6 weeks) |
| Contingency Day | Wednesday, 24th June 2026 | Reserved for rescheduled examinations if needed |
| Results Day | Thursday, 13th August 2026 | A-Level results released to students |
October/November 2026 Series (International)
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Exams Begin | Thursday, 8th October 2026 | International A-Level series starts |
| Exam Period | 8th October - 30th October 2026 | Main examination period (approximately 3 weeks) |
| Results Day | January 2027 | Expected results release (exact date TBC) |
Registration Deadlines 2026
⚠️ Important: Late registration fees apply after the standard deadline. High late fees are charged closer to exam dates. Register early to avoid additional charges.
| Exam Board | Series | Standard Deadline | Late Entry Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearson Edexcel (UK) | June 2026 | 21st February 2026 | 22nd February - 22nd April 2026 |
| Pearson Edexcel (International) | May/June 2026 | 21st March 2026 | 22nd March - 22nd April 2026 |
| Pearson Edexcel | October 2026 | 29th August 2025 | 30th August - 26th September 2025 |
| AQA | May/June 2026 | Contact your centre | Varies by centre |
| Cambridge International | June 2026 | Check with your school | Zone-specific deadlines |
Exam Boards and Official Resources
Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Levels (IAL)
Coverage: International centres worldwide including UAE, Middle East, Asia, Africa
Exam Sessions: October 2025, January 2026, May/June 2026
Starting Times: Morning sessions and Afternoon sessions (timezone-specific)
Official Timetables Information ManualAQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance)
Coverage: Primarily UK-based centres
Exam Sessions: May/June 2026
Starting Times: 9:00 AM or 1:30 PM (UK time)
Official Timetables Results InformationOCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA)
Coverage: UK centres and Cambridge Technicals
Exam Sessions: June 2026
Starting Times: 9:00 AM or 1:30 PM
Official TimetablesCambridge International (CAIE)
Coverage: International schools across 6 administrative zones
Exam Sessions: March 2026, June 2026, November 2026
Starting Times: Zone-specific timings
Zone Timetables Key DatesSubject-Specific Exam Dates (Pearson Edexcel May/June 2026)
Sciences
| Subject | Unit/Paper | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | Unit 1: Molecules, Diet, Transport and Health | 5th May 2026 | Afternoon (1h 30m) |
| Biology | Unit 2: Cells, Development, Biodiversity | 15th May 2026 | Afternoon (1h 30m) |
| Chemistry | Unit 1: Structure, Bonding and Organic Chemistry | 6th May 2026 | Afternoon (1h 30m) |
| Chemistry | Unit 2: Energetics, Group Chemistry | 11th May 2026 | Afternoon (1h 30m) |
| Physics | Unit 1: Mechanics and Materials | 8th May 2026 | Afternoon (1h 30m) |
| Physics | Unit 2: Waves and Electricity | 13th May 2026 | Afternoon (1h 30m) |
Mathematics
| Subject | Unit/Paper | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Pure Mathematics 1 (P1) | 8th May 2026 | Morning (1h 30m) |
| Mathematics | Pure Mathematics 2 (P2) | 12th May 2026 | Morning (1h 30m) |
| Mathematics | Pure Mathematics 3 (P3) | 2nd June 2026 | Morning (1h 30m) |
| Mathematics | Pure Mathematics 4 (P4) | 9th June 2026 | Morning (1h 30m) |
| Mathematics | Statistics S1 | 19th May 2026 | Morning (1h 30m) |
| Mathematics | Mechanics M1 | 7th May 2026 | Morning (1h 30m) |
Business and Economics
| Subject | Unit/Paper | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business | Unit 1: Marketing and People | 6th May 2026 | Morning (2h) |
| Business | Unit 2: Managing Business Activities | 11th May 2026 | Morning (2h) |
| Economics | Unit 1: Markets in Action | 7th May 2026 | Afternoon (1h 45m) |
| Economics | Unit 2: Macroeconomic Performance | 13th May 2026 | Morning (1h 45m) |
Humanities
| Subject | Unit/Paper | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | Unit 1: Social and Cognitive Psychology | 5th May 2026 | Morning (1h 30m) |
| Psychology | Unit 2: Biological Psychology | 15th May 2026 | Morning (2h) |
| Geography | Unit 1: Global Challenges | 12th May 2026 | Afternoon (1h 45m) |
| History | Unit 1 (Various Options) | 14th May 2026 | Afternoon (2h) |
Languages
| Subject | Unit/Paper | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | Unit 1: Context and Identity | 11th May 2026 | Afternoon (1h 45m) |
| English Literature | Unit 1: Post-2000 Poetry and Prose | 8th May 2026 | Morning (2h) |
| French | Unit 2: Understanding and Written Response | 15th May 2026 | Morning (2h 30m) |
| Spanish | Unit 2: Understanding and Written Response | 13th May 2026 | Morning (2h 30m) |
Important Information for Students
Examination Conduct
- Each examination must be taken on the day and time shown on the official timetable
- Published starting times are typically 9:00 AM or 1:30 PM (UK time) for UK centres
- International centres must refer to timezone-specific start times
- Schools may start exams up to 30 minutes before or after published times without notifying the exam board
- Students taking multiple exams in one session should take them consecutively with supervised breaks
Practical Examinations
- Science practical exams (Biology, Chemistry, Physics Units 3 and 6) are scheduled throughout May and June
- Practical exams typically last 1 hour 20 minutes
- Speaking tests for languages have submission deadlines rather than specific exam dates
Coursework and NEA Deadlines
- Non-Exam Assessments (NEA) must be submitted by 15th May 2026 for most subjects
- Geography fieldwork investigations: Submit by 15th May 2026
- Language speaking tests: Submit by 26th May 2026
- Check with your school for internal deadlines which may be earlier
Results and Certification
Results Release Schedule
| Exam Series | Results to Centres | Results to Students |
|---|---|---|
| May/June 2026 A-Levels | Wednesday, 12th August 2026 | Thursday, 13th August 2026 |
| October 2026 IAL | January 2027 (TBC) | January 2027 (TBC) |
Accessing Your Results
- Results are released early morning on results day (typically 8:00 AM)
- Check with your school/college for collection procedures
- Online access may be available through exam board portals
- UCAS Track updates automatically with A-Level results for university applicants
Key Preparation Tips
Create a Study Schedule
Plan revision around exam dates, prioritizing early exams while maintaining balance across all subjects.
Know Your Timetable
Check which exam board your school uses and verify exact dates and times for each subject.
Complete Coursework Early
Submit NEAs and practical assessments before deadlines to focus on exam preparation.
Use Past Papers
Practice with previous years' papers available on exam board websites to familiarize with question formats.
Check Exam Requirements
Verify what equipment, calculators, or materials are permitted in each examination.
Stay Informed
Regularly check your school's notices and exam board websites for any timetable updates or changes.
Contact Information
For specific queries about your examinations:
- Contact your school's Examinations Officer
- Visit your exam board's official website (links provided above)
- Check the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) website for general guidance
⚠️ Disclaimer: This timetable information is based on official exam board publications. Students should verify all dates with their school/college and check for any updates on official exam board websites. Exam boards reserve the right to make changes to published timetables if necessary.
Last Updated: October 2025 | Sources: Pearson Edexcel, AQA, OCR, Cambridge International