GCSE exams for summer 2026 begin on Monday 11 May and run through to late June. Results day is Thursday 20 August 2026. Below is the complete timetable for the core subjects — Maths, English, and Science — across both AQA and Edexcel, the two exam boards most commonly used by schools in Slough and High Wycombe.
AQA GCSE Exam Dates — Summer 2026
Maths (8300)
| Paper | Date | Time | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 — Non-Calculator (F & H) | Wednesday 14 May 2026 | Morning | 1h 30m |
| Paper 2 — Calculator (F & H) | Wednesday 3 June 2026 | Morning | 1h 30m |
| Paper 3 — Calculator (F & H) | Wednesday 10 June 2026 | Morning | 1h 30m |
Gap between papers: 20 days between Paper 1 and Paper 2, then 7 days between Paper 2 and Paper 3. Use the long gap after Paper 1 wisely — it is the best window for targeted revision on topics you found difficult.
English Language (8700)
| Paper | Date | Time | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 — Explorations in Creative Reading & Writing | Thursday 21 May 2026 | Morning | 1h 45m |
| Paper 2 — Writers’ Viewpoints & Perspectives | Friday 5 June 2026 | Morning | 1h 45m |
Non-exam assessment (Spoken Language): Schools set their own deadline, but the submission date to AQA is 7 May 2026.
English Literature (8702)
| Paper | Date | Time | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 — Shakespeare & 19th Century Novel | Monday 11 May 2026 | Morning | 1h 45m |
| Paper 2 — Modern Texts & Poetry | Tuesday 19 May 2026 | Morning | 2h 15m |
Note: English Literature Paper 1 on 11 May is likely one of the first GCSE papers your child will sit. Revise Shakespeare and your 19th century text early — do not leave them until the last minute.
Combined Science: Trilogy (8464)
| Paper | Date | Time | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology Paper 1 (F & H) | Tuesday 12 May 2026 | Afternoon | 1h 15m |
| Chemistry Paper 1 (F & H) | Monday 18 May 2026 | Morning | 1h 15m |
| Physics Paper 1 (F & H) | Tuesday 2 June 2026 | Morning | 1h 15m |
| Biology Paper 2 (F & H) | Monday 8 June 2026 | Morning | 1h 15m |
| Chemistry Paper 2 (F & H) | Friday 12 June 2026 | Morning | 1h 15m |
| Physics Paper 2 (F & H) | Monday 15 June 2026 | Morning | 1h 15m |
Important for Combined Science students: You have six papers, not three. Combined Science (Trilogy) is worth two GCSEs, and each of the six papers counts equally. Students who only revise the “Paper 1” topics and neglect Paper 2 content lose marks across half the qualification.
Separate Sciences (Triple Award)
Students taking separate Biology (8461), Chemistry (8462), and Physics (8463) sit the same dates as Combined Science above. Each subject has two papers on the same dates, with separate specifications for Higher and Foundation tiers.
Key Dates at a Glance
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Monday 11 May 2026 | First GCSE exams (English Literature Paper 1) |
| Monday 15 June 2026 | Last core science paper (Physics Paper 2) |
| Late June 2026 | Final GCSE exams (remaining subjects) |
| Thursday 20 August 2026 | GCSE Results Day |
Pressure Points: Where Papers Stack Up
Looking at the timetable, there are three periods where students face back-to-back pressure:
Week 1 (11–15 May): The Busiest Week
- Monday 11 May: English Literature Paper 1
- Tuesday 12 May: Biology Paper 1 (afternoon)
- Wednesday 14 May: Maths Paper 1 (Non-Calculator)
Three core papers in four days. This is the week your child needs to be most prepared for. If your child’s school also uses Edexcel for some subjects, they may have additional papers this week.
What to do: Finish revision for English Literature, Biology topics 1-4, and non-calculator Maths by the end of April. Do not try to revise all three in the same week — it will be too late.
Week 2 (18–22 May): English & Chemistry
- Monday 18 May: Chemistry Paper 1
- Tuesday 19 May: English Literature Paper 2
- Thursday 21 May: English Language Paper 1
Three writing-intensive papers in four days. This is mentally exhausting.
What to do: Practice timed essays and comprehension responses in April. Build writing stamina so your child can sustain quality across multiple papers.
Mid-June (8–15 June): The Science Run
- Monday 8 June: Biology Paper 2
- Wednesday 10 June: Maths Paper 3
- Friday 12 June: Chemistry Paper 2
- Monday 15 June: Physics Paper 2
Four papers in eight days, all requiring different knowledge. This is where students who stopped revising after English and Maths finish lose grades.
What to do: Pre-load Paper 2 revision for all three sciences before exams start. Do not wait until after Paper 1 to begin revising Paper 2 topics.
Revision Tips Based on the Timetable
1. Start With What Comes First
English Literature Paper 1 (Shakespeare + 19th century novel) is on 11 May — roughly four weeks from now. Your child should be doing practice essays on their Shakespeare play and prose text every week from today.
2. Front-Load Science Paper 2 Revision
Most students revise Science topics in order: Paper 1 topics first, Paper 2 topics later. The problem is that Paper 2 topics (like ecology, organic chemistry, and magnetism) then get crammed into the gap between Paper 1 and Paper 2 — when your child is already tired from weeks of exams.
Better approach: revise Paper 2 topics now, while energy is high. Then do Paper 1 topics closer to the exam as a refresher.
3. Use Past Papers Strategically
Do not just “do past papers.” Use them to identify gaps:
- Attempt a paper under timed conditions
- Mark it honestly
- Identify the topics where you lost marks
- Revise those specific topics
- Attempt a different paper to verify improvement
We have free past papers for every core GCSE subject — download them from our past papers library.
4. Do Not Abandon Subjects After Their Final Paper
Your child will feel “done” after Maths Paper 3 on 10 June. But Chemistry Paper 2 and Physics Paper 2 are still to come on 12 and 15 June. Encourage your child to maintain revision discipline right through to the last paper.
5. Plan Rest Days
Looking at the timetable, there are natural gaps:
- 22 May – 1 June (10 days): After English finishes, before Physics Paper 1 and Maths Paper 2. Use this for steady revision, not cramming.
- 3 June – 7 June (4 days): Between Maths Paper 2 and Biology Paper 2. Focused science revision window.
Need Help Before Exams Start?
There are still four weeks before the first GCSE paper. That is enough time to:
- Work through past papers with a tutor who can explain the mark scheme
- Fix common mistakes in topics you consistently lose marks on
- Build confidence on your weakest subject
At Think Smart Academy, our GCSE tutors cover AQA, Edexcel, and OCR across Maths, English, and all three Sciences. We run sessions at our Slough and High Wycombe centres, with both group and 1-to-1 options available.
93% of our GCSE students improve by at least one grade. Book a free trial session →
Download the Full Timetable
For the complete official timetable including all subjects (not just the core subjects listed above):
- AQA: aqa.org.uk/exams-administration/dates-and-timetables
- Edexcel: qualifications.pearson.com/exam-timetables
- OCR: ocr.org.uk/administration/dates-and-timetables
Dates sourced from official AQA and Edexcel summer 2026 timetables. Always check your school’s exam officer for confirmation of your child’s specific papers and times, as some subjects may differ between Foundation and Higher tier scheduling. Results Day is confirmed as Thursday 20 August 2026.