What happens if you miss a GCSE exam?

Missing a GCSE exam typically results in a zero for that paper or component.

Most Cambridge IGCSE exams run in two series each year: May/June and October/November. If you miss a sitting, the next available opportunity is your earliest option for a resit.

Whether you can carry forward any other component marks depends on the exam board's rules. In many cases, you must re-enter the full subject rather than just the missed paper. Check with your school or centre well in advance.

There are a small number of circumstances where an examiner may apply special consideration. These include serious illness, bereavement, or other crises beyond your control. You or your school must apply promptly, usually within a few days of the missed exam. There is no guarantee of a grade adjustment.

For students on a British curriculum programme studying independently or through homeschooling, the process is similar. You must be registered as a private candidate at an approved exam centre. Missing the exam does not carry over your registration automatically.

These are the most common outcomes when a GCSE or Cambridge IGCSE exam is missed:

• Zero awarded for the missed component
• Possible special consideration if evidence of crisis is submitted
• Re-entry required for the next exam series
• Additional registration and exam fees apply
• Results delayed by one full series

If you are studying through an online school, your school can advise on how to register for a resit and which exam centres are available in your area or across GCC locations.

For families considering Cambridge A-Levels after GCSE, the same rules apply. Planning your exam calendar carefully from the start avoids these situations. If you have questions about registration or exam entry, contact us directly.