When do GCSE exams start in 2026?

GCSE exams in 2026 are expected to start around Monday 11 May and run until late June.

UK exam boards like AQA, Edexcel, and OCR usually publish confirmed timetables in autumn of the previous year. For 2026 exams, expect final dates to appear by October 2025.

Cambridge IGCSE exams follow a similar schedule. The May/June 2026 series typically begins in late April or early May and finishes by mid-June. Cambridge publishes its timetable well in advance on its official website.

If your child is homeschooling, you'll need to register as a private candidate at an approved exam centre. Centres set their own registration deadlines, often months before the exam window opens. Late entries may incur extra fees or not be accepted at all.

Here are the key steps homeschooling families should take ahead of the 2026 exam series:

• Confirm which exam board and syllabus your child follows
• Find an approved exam centre that accepts private candidates
• Check the centre's registration deadline (usually autumn 2025)
• Download the provisional timetable from the exam board's website
• Plan a revision schedule working backwards from May 2026

Timing matters. Some subjects have multiple papers spread across several weeks. Your child might sit their first paper in early May and their last in late June.

Homeschooling families sometimes underestimate how early they need to act. Exam centres fill private candidate slots on a first-come basis. Starting the registration process in early autumn 2025 gives you the best chance of securing a place.

At Digital International School, students follow the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum with live online lessons from AED 500/month. Our qualified instructors prepare students for the May/June exam series with structured teaching, regular assessments, and direct access to subject specialists throughout the year.

Whether your child is already studying or just starting their GCSE programme, knowing the 2026 exam timeline now helps you plan with confidence.