IGCSE 2026 Exam Timetable
📅 Quick Overview: IGCSE examinations for 2026 are offered in March 2026 (Cambridge only), May/June 2026 (all boards), and October/November 2026 (all boards). Results are released approximately 2-3 months after examinations conclude.
What is IGCSE?
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is an internationally recognized qualification for students aged 14-16, typically taken over two years. It is equivalent to the UK GCSE and is offered by multiple exam boards including Cambridge International and Pearson Edexcel.
IGCSE qualifications are recognized by universities and employers worldwide, providing excellent preparation for A-Levels, IB Diploma Programme, and other advanced studies. Students typically study 5-10 subjects, with core subjects including English, Mathematics, and Sciences.
IGCSE Exam Boards
Cambridge International (CAIE)
The largest IGCSE provider worldwide, offering Cambridge IGCSE in March, June, and November series across 6 administrative zones.
Pearson Edexcel
Offers Edexcel International GCSE (iGCSE) in January, May/June, and October/November series with flexible linear and modular routes.
Key Dates Overview 2026
| Exam Series | Exam Period | Results Release | Available Boards |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | February 5 - March 6, 2026 | Late May 2026 | Cambridge International (Zone 4 only) |
| May/June 2026 | May 7 - June 15, 2026 | Mid-August 2026 | Cambridge International & Pearson Edexcel |
| October/November 2026 | October 27 - November 20, 2026 | Mid-January 2027 | Cambridge International & Pearson Edexcel |
May/June 2026 Exam Timetable
Pearson Edexcel IGCSE - Summer 2026
Core Subjects
| Subject | Paper/Code | Date | Time | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language A | Paper 1 (4EA1/01) | Thursday, 21st May 2026 | 9:00 AM | 2h 15m |
| English Language A | Paper 2 (4EA1/02) | Friday, 5th June 2026 | 9:00 AM | 1h 30m |
| English Literature | Paper 1 (4ET1/01) | Monday, 11th May 2026 | 9:00 AM | 2h 00m |
| English Literature | Paper 2 (4ET1/02) | Tuesday, 19th May 2026 | 9:00 AM | 1h 30m |
| Mathematics A | Paper 1F/1H (4MA1) | Thursday, 14th May 2026 | 9:00 AM | 2h 00m |
| Mathematics A | Paper 2F/2H (4MA1) | Wednesday, 3rd June 2026 | 9:00 AM | 2h 00m |
| Mathematics B | Paper 1 (4MB1/01) | Wednesday, 13th May 2026 | 1:30 PM | 1h 30m |
| Mathematics B | Paper 2 (4MB1/02) | Wednesday, 10th June 2026 | 9:00 AM | 2h 30m |
Sciences
| Subject | Paper/Code | Date | Time | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | Paper 1B (4BI1/1B) | Tuesday, 12th May 2026 | 1:30 PM | 2h 00m |
| Biology | Paper 2B (4BI1/2B) | Monday, 8th June 2026 | 9:00 AM | 1h 15m |
| Chemistry | Paper 1C (4CH1/1C) | Monday, 18th May 2026 | 9:00 AM | 2h 00m |
| Chemistry | Paper 2C (4CH1/2C) | Friday, 12th June 2026 | 9:00 AM | 1h 15m |
| Physics | Paper 1P (4PH1/1P) | Tuesday, 2nd June 2026 | 9:00 AM | 2h 00m |
| Physics | Paper 2P (4PH1/2P) | Monday, 15th June 2026 | 9:00 AM | 1h 15m |
| Human Biology | Paper 01 (4HB1/01) | Friday, 8th May 2026 | 9:00 AM | 1h 45m |
| Human Biology | Paper 02 (4HB1/02) | Tuesday, 9th June 2026 | 1:30 PM | 1h 45m |
| Science Double Award | Paper 1B (4SD0/1B) | Tuesday, 12th May 2026 | 1:30 PM | 2h 00m |
| Science Double Award | Paper 1C (4SD0/1C) | Monday, 18th May 2026 | 9:00 AM | 2h 00m |
| Science Double Award | Paper 1P (4SD0/1P) | Tuesday, 2nd June 2026 | 9:00 AM | 2h 00m |
Humanities & Social Sciences
| Subject | Paper/Code | Date | Time | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Paper 1 (4GE1/01) | Wednesday, 13th May 2026 | 9:00 AM | 1h 10m |
| Geography | Paper 2 (4GE1/02) | Wednesday, 3rd June 2026 | 1:30 PM | 1h 45m |
| History | Paper 1 (4HI1/01) | Friday, 15th May 2026 | 9:00 AM | 1h 30m |
| History | Paper 2 (4HI1/02) | Thursday, 4th June 2026 | 9:00 AM | 1h 30m |
| Business | Paper 1 (4BS1/01) | Monday, 11th May 2026 | 1:30 PM | 1h 30m |
| Business | Paper 2 (4BS1/02) | Thursday, 21st May 2026 | 1:30 PM | 1h 30m |
| Economics | Paper 1 (4EC1/01) | Friday, 8th May 2026 | 1:30 PM | 1h 30m |
| Economics | Paper 2 (4EC1/02) | Friday, 22nd May 2026 | 9:00 AM | 1h 30m |
| Accounting | Paper 1 (4AC1/01) | Friday, 15th May 2026 | 1:30 PM | 2h 00m |
| Accounting | Paper 2 (4AC1/02) | Monday, 8th June 2026 | 1:30 PM | 1h 15m |
| Religious Studies | Paper 1 (4RS1/01) | Tuesday, 12th May 2026 | 9:00 AM | 1h 45m |
| Religious Studies | Paper 2 (Various) | Wednesday, 20th May 2026 | 1:30 PM | 1h 30m |
Modern Foreign Languages
| Language | Paper/Skills | Date | Time | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French | Paper 1: Listening (4FR1/01) | Wednesday, 20th May 2026 | 9:00 AM | 35m |
| French | Paper 2: Reading & Writing (4FR1/02) | Wednesday, 20th May 2026 | 9:00 AM | 1h 45m |
| Spanish | Paper 1: Listening (4SP1/01) | Tuesday, 9th June 2026 | 9:00 AM | 35m |
| Spanish | Paper 2: Reading & Writing (4SP1/02) | Tuesday, 9th June 2026 | 9:00 AM | 1h 45m |
| German | Paper 1: Listening (4GN1/01) | Thursday, 7th May 2026 | 1:30 PM | 35m |
| German | Paper 2: Reading & Writing (4GN1/02) | Thursday, 7th May 2026 | 1:30 PM | 1h 45m |
| Chinese | Paper 1: Listening (4CN1/01) | Tuesday, 2nd June 2026 | 1:30 PM | 35m |
| Chinese | Paper 2: Reading & Writing (4CN1/02) | Tuesday, 2nd June 2026 | 1:30 PM | 1h 45m |
| Arabic | Paper 1 (4AA1/01) | Thursday, 7th May 2026 | 9:00 AM | 2h 15m |
| Arabic | Paper 2 (4AA1/02) | Tuesday, 19th May 2026 | 1:30 PM | 1h 30m |
Technology & Computing
| Subject | Paper/Code | Date | Time | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | Paper 1 (4CP0/01) | Friday, 8th May 2026 | 9:00 AM | 2h 00m |
| Computer Science | Paper 2: Practical (4CP0/02) | 1-5 June 2026 | Window | 3h 00m |
| ICT | Paper 1: Written (4IT1/01) | Thursday, 7th May 2026 | 9:00 AM | 1h 30m |
| ICT | Paper 2: Practical (4IT1/02) | 1-5 June 2026 | Window | 3h 00m |
📝 Note on Speaking Tests: Modern foreign language speaking tests are conducted by teachers during a designated window period (typically March-May 2026). Check with your school for exact dates. Speaking tests are recorded and sent to the exam board for marking.
Cambridge International IGCSE - June 2026
⚠️ Zone-Specific Timetables: Cambridge International operates across 6 administrative zones with different timetables for each zone. Students must consult the timetable for their specific zone. The UAE is in Zone 4.
Zone 1
South & Central America, Caribbean
Zone 2
Europe, Middle East, North Africa
Zone 3
Africa (excluding North Africa), Madagascar
Zone 4
Middle East (UAE, Saudi, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman), Asia
Zone 5
Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands
Zone 6
Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka
Cambridge IGCSE June 2026 exams typically run from late April to mid-June 2026, with specific dates varying by zone. Students should download their zone-specific timetable from the Cambridge International website.
March 2026 Series (Cambridge Zone 4 Only)
🌟 Special Series: The March 2026 examination series is available only for Zone 4 (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and select Asian countries). This series offers limited subject availability compared to June and November series.
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking Tests Window | 29th January - 10th February 2026 | Languages (French, Spanish, Hindi as Second Language) |
| Practical Tests Window | 29th January - 4th February 2026 | ICT Practical, Art & Design |
| Written Exams Begin | Thursday, 5th February 2026 | First written examinations |
| Written Exams End | Friday, 6th March 2026 | Final written examinations |
| Results Released | Late May 2026 | Exact date to be confirmed |
Sample March 2026 Exam Dates (Zone 4)
| Subject | Component | Date | Session | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English (FLE) | Paper 1 (0500/22) | Monday, 9th February 2026 | AM | 2h |
| ICT Theory | Paper 1 (0417/11) | Monday, 9th February 2026 | PM | 1h 30m |
| French | Paper 2 (0520/22) | Tuesday, 10th February 2026 | AM | 1h |
| Chemistry | Paper 4 Extended (0620/42) | Wednesday, 11th February 2026 | AM | 1h 15m |
| Mathematics | Paper 2 Extended (0580/22) | Friday, 6th March 2026 | AM | 2h |
| Physics | Paper 4 Extended (0625/42) | Wednesday, 11th February 2026 | PM | 1h 15m |
| Biology | Paper 4 Extended (0610/42) | Tuesday, 24th February 2026 | PM | 1h 15m |
October/November 2026 Series
The October/November 2026 examination series is available for both Cambridge International and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE. This series is particularly popular for resits and for schools in the Southern Hemisphere.
| Exam Board | Exam Period | Results Release |
|---|---|---|
| Pearson Edexcel | 27th October - 20th November 2026 | Mid-January 2027 |
| Cambridge International | Late September - Mid-November 2026 | 15th January 2027 (estimated) |
Registration Deadlines 2026
Pearson Edexcel Registration Deadlines
| Exam Series | Standard Entry | Low Late Fee | High Late Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| May/June 2026 | By 21st March 2026 | 22nd March - 22nd April 2026 | 23rd April onwards (Board discretion) |
| October/November 2026 | By 5th September 2026 | 6th September - 2nd October 2026 | 3rd October onwards (Board discretion) |
Cambridge International Registration Deadlines
| Exam Series | Regular Entry | Late Entry | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 (Zone 4) | Check with your school | Zone-specific dates | Limited subject availability |
| June 2026 | Early February 2026 | Late February 2026 | Varies by administrative zone |
| November 2026 | Late July - Early August 2026 | Early - Late August 2026 | Varies by administrative zone |
⚠️ Important: Registration is done through your school/examination centre, not directly with exam boards. Contact your school's examinations officer for exact deadlines and fees. Late registrations incur significant additional fees.
Results Release Dates 2026
| Exam Series | Exam Board | Results to Centres | Results to Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | Cambridge International | Late May 2026 | Late May 2026 |
| May/June 2026 | Cambridge International | 18th August 2026 (estimated) | 19th August 2026 (estimated) |
| May/June 2026 | Pearson Edexcel | Mid-August 2026 | Mid-August 2026 |
| October/November 2026 | Cambridge International | 14th January 2027 (estimated) | 15th January 2027 (estimated) |
| October/November 2026 | Pearson Edexcel | Mid-January 2027 | Mid-January 2027 |
How to Access Results
- Through School: Most students collect results in person from their school on results day
- Cambridge Direct Candidates: Access results online at myresults.cie.org.uk using credentials provided by your examination centre
- Pearson Edexcel: Results are provided through your examination centre
- Results Time: Typically released at 06:00 GMT/UTC on results day
Official Resources & Links
Cambridge International Examinations (CIE/CAIE)
Coverage: 160+ countries across 6 administrative zones
Qualifications: Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level
Zone Timetables IGCSE Programmes Results InformationPearson Edexcel International
Coverage: Global coverage with flexible examination series
Qualifications: Edexcel International GCSE (iGCSE)
Exam Timetables iGCSE Qualifications Results Key DatesBritish Council (Exam Registration)
Service: Examination centre for Cambridge and Pearson exams in UAE and other countries
UAE Timetables Registration Dates UAEExam Conduct & Requirements
General Examination Rules
- All examinations must be taken on the published date and time
- UK Centres: Published starting times are 9:00 AM or 1:30 PM
- International Centres: Must refer to timezone-specific start times
- Students must arrive at least 15-30 minutes before the exam start time
- Bring valid identification (student ID or examination entry certificate)
- Mobile phones and electronic devices are strictly prohibited
Equipment Requirements
- All Exams: Black or blue pen, pencil, eraser, ruler, pencil sharpener
- Mathematics/Sciences: Scientific calculator (approved models only), protractor, compass
- Calculator Rule: No calculator with text storage, internet capability, or symbolic algebra features
- Geography: Coloured pencils may be required for map work
- Practical Exams: Lab coat and safety goggles (provided by school)
Special Considerations & Access Arrangements
- Extra Time: Available for students with documented learning difficulties (must be approved in advance)
- Rest Breaks: Can be arranged for students with medical conditions
- Scribes/Readers: Available for students with specific disabilities
- Modified Papers: Large print, Braille, or audio versions available (must be requested by deadline)
- Application: Must be arranged through your school's examinations officer months before the exam
Grading System
IGCSE Grade Scale
IGCSE qualifications are graded using two systems depending on the syllabus:
Standard Grading (A*-G)
- A* (A-star): Outstanding performance - highest grade
- A: Excellent performance
- B: Very good performance
- C: Good performance - typical university entry requirement
- D: Satisfactory performance
- E: Acceptable performance
- F & G: Minimum required standard
- U (Ungraded): Below minimum standard - not recorded on certificate
9-1 Grading (Reformed IGCSEs)
Some newer IGCSE syllabuses use the 9-1 scale (similar to reformed UK GCSEs):
- 9, 8, 7: Equivalent to A* and A grades
- 6, 5, 4: Equivalent to B and C grades
- 3, 2, 1: Equivalent to D, E, F, G grades
- U (Ungraded): Below grade 1
Subject-Specific Information
Practical Assessments
Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics):
- Practical exams (Paper 5/6) or Alternative to Practical (Paper 6) available
- Practical exams typically 1h 15m duration
- Conducted under controlled conditions with standard laboratory equipment
ICT & Computer Science:
- Practical exams conducted within a specified window (typically 5 days)
- 3-hour duration completed in one sitting
- Requires specific software and computing environment
Art & Design:
- Extended coursework portfolio plus supervised examination
- Coursework submission deadlines vary by exam board and series
Preparation Strategies
Start Early
Begin revision at least 3-4 months before exams. Create a detailed study schedule covering all subjects.
Use Past Papers
Practice with previous years' papers available on exam board websites. Familiarize yourself with question styles and timing.
Understand Mark Schemes
Download and study mark schemes to understand how answers are graded and what examiners look for.
Know Your Timetable
Verify exact dates, times, and zones with your school. Check for any clashes or consecutive exams.
Active Learning
Use active revision techniques: flashcards, mind maps, practice questions, teach concepts to others.
Manage Wellbeing
Balance study with rest, exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate sleep to maintain peak performance.
Post-Results Services
Enquiries About Results (EARs)
- Clerical Re-check: Check that all answers were marked and totals are correct
- Review of Marking: Have papers remarked by senior examiners
- Access to Scripts: Request copies of marked exam papers to see where marks were lost
- Deadlines: Typically 4-6 weeks after results release
- Process: Must be requested through your examination centre/school
- Fees: Charges apply for reviews; refunded if grade changes
Retakes & Resits
- IGCSE exams can be retaken in any subsequent examination series
- No limit on the number of attempts (subject to registration rules)
- Universities typically accept resit grades but prefer first-attempt results
- November 2026 series ideal for June 2026 resits
- Register through your school or as a private candidate
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between IGCSE and GCSE?
IGCSE is the international version of GCSE, designed for international schools. Content is similar but IGCSE has less coursework and more emphasis on final exams. Both are equally recognized by universities worldwide.
Can I take IGCSE exams as a private candidate?
Yes, private candidates can register through approved examination centres like the British Council. Check your country's British Council website for registration procedures and deadlines.
Which exam board is better: Cambridge or Edexcel?
Both are globally recognized and of equal standard. Cambridge is larger internationally with more series options (March/June/November). Edexcel offers January series and modular routes. Choose based on your school's affiliation and subject availability.
How many IGCSEs should I take?
Most students take 8-10 subjects. The minimum is typically 5-6 subjects including core subjects (English, Mathematics, Sciences). Check specific requirements for your intended university or next level of study.
What is a good IGCSE grade?
Grade C/4 and above are generally considered good. For competitive university courses, A*/A (or 9-7) in relevant subjects is expected. Requirements vary by university and course.
Can IGCSE grades be used for university admission?
Yes, IGCSE grades are used alongside A-Levels/IB for university applications. Many universities require minimum IGCSE grades in English and Mathematics for admission.
What happens if I miss an exam?
Contact your examination centre immediately. Special consideration may be granted for medical emergencies or other valid reasons (requires documentation). Otherwise, you must retake in the next available series.
How do I choose between Foundation and Higher tier?
For subjects offering tiers (Mathematics, Sciences), Foundation tier allows grades E-C/5-1, Higher tier allows grades A*-D/9-3. Choose based on your current performance and target grades. Consult your teachers.
Important Reminders
- Check Your Zone: Cambridge students must use the correct zone-specific timetable
- Verify with School: Always confirm exact dates and times with your school's examinations officer
- Register Early: Avoid late fees by meeting standard registration deadlines
- Know Your Subject Codes: Each IGCSE subject has a unique code - verify you're registered for correct papers
- Practice Exams: Complete timed practice papers under exam conditions
- Equipment Check: Ensure you have all required equipment days before each exam
- Stay Updated: Check exam board websites regularly for any timetable changes or announcements
⚠️ Disclaimer: This timetable information is based on official exam board publications for 2026. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, students must verify all dates, times, and requirements with their school's examinations officer and refer to official exam board websites. Exam boards reserve the right to make changes to published timetables if circumstances require. Always use your specific zone timetable for Cambridge exams.
Last Updated: October 2025 | Sources: Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel, British Council