A Level exam dates 2026: Everything you need to know

Planning for A Level exams can feel overwhelming, but knowing the key dates and using them to help your child plan their revision schedule will help them feel on top of their exams. This guide provides all the essential information parents (and students) need for A Level exams in 2026, including timetables, tips for preparation, and guidance on how to make the most of the run-up to the exam period. Whether you’re looking for specific subject dates, advice on revision strategies, or details about mock exams and coursework deadlines, this article has got you covered.

---

When are A Level exams in 2026?

A Level exams in 2026 will run between Monday 11th May and Tuesday 23rd June.

Depending on each exam board, these dates may change as the exam season approaches. To stay updated, make sure to check the specific timetables for your child’s exam boards. You will find links to these timetables later in the article.

Some A Level subjects include coursework or non-exam assessments (NEAs) which contribute to your child’s final grade. These will be completed earlier in the academic year and assessed by teachers before being moderated by exam boards.

When are the 2026 A Level Maths exams?

The 2026 A Level Maths exams are scheduled for 3rd June, 11th June, and 18th June.

AQA

• 3rd June (PM): Mathematics Paper 1
• 11th June (PM): Mathematics Paper 2
• 18th June (PM): Mathematics Paper 3

Edexcel

• 3rd June (PM): Mathematics Paper 1 – Pure Mathematics 1
• 11th June (PM): Mathematics Paper 2 – Pure Mathematics 2
• 18th June (PM): Mathematics Paper 3 – Statistics & Mechanics

OCR A

• 3rd June (PM): Pure Mathematics
• 11th June (PM): Pure Mathematics and Statistics
• 18th June (PM): Pure Mathematics and Mechanics

OCR B (MEI)

• 3rd June (PM): Pure Mathematics and Mechanics
• 11th June (PM): Pure Mathematics and Statistics
• 18th June (PM): Pure Mathematics and Comprehension

WJEC Wales

• 3rd June (AM): Mathematics A2 Unit 3
• 11th June (PM): Mathematics A2 Unit 4

When are the 2026 A Level Further Maths exams?

Depending on your child’s exam board, the 2026 A Level Further Maths exams are scheduled between 14th May and 22nd June.

AQA

• 21st May (PM): Further Mathematics Paper 1
• 5th June (PM): Further Mathematics Paper 2
• 12th June (PM): Further Mathematics Paper 3: Discrete
• 12th June (PM): Further Mathematics Paper 3: Mechanics
• 12th June (PM): Further Mathematics Paper 3: Statistics

Edexcel

• 14th May (PM): Further Mathematics Paper 1 – Core Pure Mathematics 1
• 21st May (PM): Further Mathematics Paper 2 – Core Pure Mathematics 2
• 5th June (PM): Further Mathematics Paper 3C – Further Mechanics 1
• 12th June (PM): Further Mathematics Paper 3B – Further Statistics 1
• 16th June (PM): Further Mathematics Paper 3D – Decision Mathematics 1
• 19th June (PM): Further Mathematics Paper 3A – Further Pure Mathematics 1
• 22nd June (PM): Further Mathematics Paper 4A – Further Pure Mathematics 2
• 22nd June (PM): Further Mathematics Paper 4B – Further Statistics 2
• 23nd June (PM): Further Mathematics Paper 4C – Further Mechanics 2
• 22nd June (PM): Further Mathematics Paper 4D – Decision Mathematics 2

OCR A

• 14th May (PM): Pure Core 1
• 21st May (PM): Pure Core 2
• 5th June (PM): Statistics
• 12th June (PM): Mechanics
• 16th June (PM): Discrete Mathematics
• 19th June (PM): Additional Pure Mathematics

OCR B (MEI)

• 14th May (PM): Core Pure
• 19th May (PM): Further Pure with Technology
• 21st May (PM): Modelling with Algorithms
• 5th June (PM): Mechanics Major
• 5th June (PM): Mechanics Minor
• 12th June (PM): Statistics Major
• 12th June (PM): Statistics Minor
• 16th June (PM): Extra Pure
• 19th June (PM): Numerical Methods

WJEC Wales

• 5th June (AM): Further Mathematics A2 Unit 4
• 12th June (PM): Further Mathematics A2 Unit 5
• 12th June (PM): Further Mathematics A2 Unit 6

When are the 2026 A Level Science exams?

Biology

The 2026 A Level Biology exams are taking place on 4th June, 12th June, and 16th June.

AQA

• 4th June (PM): Biology Paper 1
• 12th June (AM): Biology Paper 2
• 16th June (AM): Biology Paper 3

Edexcel A

• 4th June (PM): Biology Paper 1 – The Natural Environment and Species Survival
• 12th June (AM): Biology Paper 2 – Energy, Exercise and Co-ordination
• 16th June (AM): Biology Paper 3 – General and Practical Applications in Biology

Edexcel B

• 4th June (PM): Biology Paper 1 – Advanced Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics
• 12th June (AM): Biology Paper 2 – Advanced Physiology, Evolution and Ecology
• 16th June (AM): Biology Paper 3 – General and Practical Principles in Biology

OCR A

• 4th June (PM): Biological Processes
• 12th June (AM): Biological diversity
• 16th June (AM): Unified Biology

OCR B

• 4th June (PM): Fundamentals of Biology
• 12th June (AM): Scientific Literacy in Biology
• 16th June (AM): Practical Skills in Biology

WJEC Wales

• 4th June (PM): Biology A2 Unit 3
• 12th June (AM): Biology A2 Unit 4

WJEC Eduqas

• 4th June (PM): Biology Component 1
• 12th June (AM): Biology Component 2
• 16th June (AM): Biology Component 3

Chemistry

The 2026 A Level Chemistry exams will take place on 2nd June, 9th June, and 15th June.

AQA

• 2nd June (AM): Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
• 9th June (AM): Organic and Physical Chemistry
• 15th June (AM): Paper 3

Edexcel

• 2nd June (AM): Chemistry Paper 1 – Advanced Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
• 9th June (AM): Chemistry Paper 2 – Advanced Organic and Physical Chemistry
• 15th June (AM): Chemistry Paper 3 – General and Practical Principles in Chemistry

OCR A

• 2nd June (AM): Periodic Table, Elements and Physical Chemistry
• 9thJune (AM): Synthesis and Analytical techniques
• 15th June (AM): Unified Chemistry

OCR B

• 2nd June (AM): Fundamentals of Chemistry
• 9th June (AM): Scientific Literacy in Chemistry
• 15th June (AM): Practical Skills in Chemistry

WJEC Wales

• 2nd June (AM): Chemistry A2 Unit 3
• 9th June (AM): Chemistry A2 Unit 4

WJEC Eduqas

• 2nd June (AM): Chemistry Component 1
• 9th June (AM): Chemistry Component 2
• 16th June (AM): Chemistry Component 3

Physics

Depending on your child’s exam board, the 2026 A Level Physics exams are set to take place on 20th May, 1st June, and 8th June.

AQA

• 20th May (PM): Physics Paper 1
• 1st June (AM): Physics Paper 2
• 8th June (AM): Physics Paper 3

Edexcel

• 20th May (PM): Physics Paper 1 – Advanced Physics I
• 1st June (AM): Physics Paper 2 – Advanced Physics II
• 8th June (AM): Physics Paper 3 – General and Practical Principles in Physics

OCR A

• 20th May (PM): Modelling Physics
• 1st June (AM): Exploring Physics
• 8th June (AM): Unified Physics

OCR B

• 20th May (PM): Fundamentals of Physics
• 1st June (AM): Scientific Literacy in Physics
• 8th June (AM): Practical Skills in Physics

WJEC Wales

• 1st June (AM): Physics A2 Unit 3
• 8th June (AM): Physics A2 Unit 4

WJEC Eduqas

• 20th May (PM): Physics Component 1
• 1st June (AM): Physics Component 2
• 8th June (AM): Physics Component 3

When are the 2026 A Level Geography exams?

The 2026 A Level Geography exams are scheduled to take place on 12th May, 21st May, and 8th June, depending on the exam board.

AQA

• 12th May (AM): Physical Geography
• 21st May (PM): Human Geography

Edexcel

• 12th May (AM): Geography Paper 1
• 21st May (PM): Geography Paper 2
• 8th June (PM): Geography Paper 3

OCR

• 12th May (AM): Physical Systems
• 21st May (PM): Human Interactions
• 8th June (PM): Geographical Debates

WJEC Wales

• 21st May (PM): Geography A2 Unit 3
• 8th June (PM): Geography A2 Unit 4

WJEC Eduqas

• 12th May (AM): Geography Component 1
• 21st May (PM): Geography Component 2
• 8th June (PM): Geography Component 3

Most Geography A Level students must complete an NEA (coursework) in addition to their exams. The final deadline for schools to submit your child’s NEA to the exam board is 15th May for AQA, Edexcel, and OCR exam boards and 20th March for WJEC/Eduqas. However, schools will set an earlier internal deadline to allow them to assess and grade the NEA before it is moderated by the exam board. It is important to check with your child’s school to find out when this internal deadline is.

When are the 2026 A Level Economics exams?

The 2026 A Level Economics exams will take place between 11th May and 4th June. The exact dates depend on your child’s exam board.

AQA

• 11th May (AM): Markets and Market Failure
• 18th May (PM): National and International Economy
• 4th June (AM): Economic Principles and Issues

Edexcel A

• 11th May (AM): Economics Paper 1 – Markets and Business Behaviour
• 18th May (PM): Economics Paper 2 – The National and Global Economy
• 4th June (AM): Economics Paper 3 – Microeconomics and Macroeconomics

Edexcel B

• 11th May (AM): Economics Paper 1 – Markets and How They Work
• 18th May (PM): Economics Paper 2 – Competing in the Global Economy
• 4th June (AM): Economics Paper 3 – The Economic Environment and Business

OCR

• 11th May (AM): Microeconomics
• 18th May (PM): Macroeconomics
• 4th June (AM): Themes in Economics

WJEC Wales

• 22nd May (PM): Economics A2 Unit 3
• 4th June (AM): Economics A2 Unit 4

WJEC Eduqas

• 11th May (AM): Economics Component 1
• 18th May (PM): Economics Component 2
• 4th June (AM): Economics Component 3

When are the 2026 A Level English Literature exams?

The 2026 A Level English Literature exams are taking place on 13th May, 1st June and 10th June. The exam boards split their exams and texts very differently compared to other subjects.

AQA A

• 13th May (AM): Love Through The Ages
• 1st June (AM): Texts in Shared Contexts

AQA B

• 13th May (AM): Literary Genres
• 1st June (AM): Texts and Genres

Edexcel

• 13th May (AM): English Literature Paper 1 – Drama
• 1st June (AM): English Literature Paper 2 – Prose
• 10th June (AM): English Literature Paper 3 – Poetry

OCR

• 13th May (AM): Drama and Poetry Pre-1900
• 1st June (AM): Comparative and Contextual Study

WJEC Wales

• 1stJune (AM): English Literature A2 Unit 3
• 10th June (AM): English Literature A2 Unit 4

WJEC Eduqas

• 13th May (AM): English Literature Component 1
• 1st June (AM): English Literature Component 2
• 10th June (AM): English Literature Component 3

Most English A Level students complete an NEA (coursework) alongside their exams. Schools set their own deadlines for submitting this work to allow time for assessment and grading before exam board moderation. It’s a good idea to check with your child’s school to ensure you’re aware of their specific deadline.

When are International A Level exams in 2026?

International A Level (IAL) exams are scheduled at different times throughout 2026, depending on the exam board and administrative zone.

CAIE:

• Summer series: Exams are expected to take place from late April to mid June 2026
• November series: Exams will be conducted from early October to mid-November 2026

Edexcel:

• Summer series: Exams are scheduled between 5th May and 12th June 2026
• November series: Exams will take place between 8th October and 30th October 2026

Please note that exact dates vary based on the specific subject and administrative zone.

A Level exam board timetables

We have only outlined the exam dates for some of our most popular A Level subjects. For other subjects and exam boards, you can check the official timetables provided by each exam board, which we have linked below. These timetables contain all the specific dates and times for each exam, helping your child stay fully prepared.

Here are the links to the 2026 A Level exam timetables for each exam board:

• AQA A Level exam timetable 2026
• Edexcel A Level exam timetable 2026
• OCR A Level exam timetable 2026
• WJEC Wales and Eduqas A Level exam timetable 2026
• CCEA A Level exam timetable 2026

If you aren’t sure which exam board your child is taking, then you should look at their textbook, check their school’s website, or email their school directly to confirm.

International A Level exam board timetables

Here are the links to the 2026 International A Level exam timetables for each exam board:

• Cambridge International A Level (CAIE) exam timetables 2026
• Edexcel International A Level 2026 exam timetable

When are A Level mock exams in 2026?

Unlike the official A Level exams, schools have the flexibility to set their own mock exam schedules. Most schools hold mock exams between November and February, with some opting for an earlier session in November and others preferring January or February when more content has been taught.

Once your child has completed their mock exams, it’s important that they use their papers and grades to reflect on their performance and identify areas for improvement. Encourage them to read our article on how to reflect on your mock exam results for practical tips and guidance.

How can my child prepare for their A Level exams?

Encouraging your child to start their revision early and follow a structured revision schedule is key to feeling prepared and confident. A realistic and achievable revision timetable can help them stay on track and avoid last-minute cramming.

It’s important for students to explore different revision techniques to find what works best for them. Using a variety of resources, such as textbooks, online materials, and flashcards, can help reinforce their understanding of the subject matter. Past paper questions should play a crucial role in their revision, as they help familiarise students with exam formats and improve their exam technique. Regularly using mark schemes will ensure they understand how to phrase their answers correctly and avoid losing marks due to technicalities.

Breaking revision into manageable chunks, such as working through questions by topic from resources like Physics & Maths Tutor, can be an effective way to target weaker areas. As the exams get closer, practising full past papers under timed conditions will help build stamina and confidence in working within the exam time limits.

How can PMT Education support my child with A Level revision?

We offer a range of resources and tools to help your child prepare effectively for their A Level exams, including:

• Free revision resources: Access to high-quality revision materials, including notes, flashcards, definitions, questions by topic and past papers.
• Advice blogs: Practical tips and expert advice to guide your child through revision and exam preparation.
• Revision courses with free bursary places: Structured online courses designed to reinforce key concepts and exam techniques, with free places available for low-income students through our bursary scheme.
• Private tuition: One-to-one support tailored to your child’s individual learning needs, helping them build confidence and achieve their best results.

When is A Level Results Day 2026?

A Level Results Day 2026 will be taking place on Thursday 13th August. Students can collect their results in person from their school or college, starting from around 08:00 am. For students who have submitted an Undergraduate UCAS application, the status of their application will be updated on the UCAS Hub around 08:15 BST on A Level Results Day.

To help your child prepare for Results Day, have a read of our A Level Results Day parents’ guide. It covers what to expect, how to interpret their results, and what steps to take next. You can also encourage your child to read our post on Managing Results Day anxiety.

---

The A Level exam period can be challenging and stressful, but having a clear understanding of key dates and what to expect can make a significant difference. We’ve provided an overview of important dates for popular A Level subjects and directed you to useful resources to support your child’s preparation. With this information, you can help your child stay organised, build their confidence, and approach exam day feeling ready to do their best.

---

FAQs

When do A Level exams start in 2026?

A Level exams in 2026 are scheduled to begin on Monday 11th May. However, the exact date your child starts will depend on the subjects they are doing and their exam board. For the most accurate information, refer to the official exam board timetables.

When do A Level exams finish in 2026?

The final A Level exam in 2026 will take place on Tuesday 23rd June. However, the exact date of your child’s final exam will depend on the subject and exam board they are doing. You should check the timetables provided by your child’s exam board or school to work out the date your child will be finishing on.

Who sets A Level exam dates?

The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) sets the overall exam season, ensuring a standardised timeframe for all A Level exams. Each exam board determines the schedule for their specific exams within this period. The dates for each subject are standardised across exam boards for fairness but the content and structure of exam papers differ between boards.

How many A Level exam boards are there?

In the UK, there are five main exam boards that offer A Levels and other qualifications:

• AQA
• Edexcel
• OCR
• WJEC
• CCEA

Each exam board creates its own exam papers and specifications, with regulatory bodies – such as Ofqual in England – ensuring consistent standards across all boards. The availability of exam boards varies by region, with CCEA primarily used in Northern Ireland and WJEC serving students in Wales.

How many International A Level exam boards are there?

There are two main exam boards that offer International A Level qualifications:

• Cambridge International (CAIE)
• Pearson Edexcel

When is the deadline for submitting A Level coursework in 2026?

Coursework or NEA deadlines in 2026 vary by subject and exam board. Schools typically provide students with an internal deadline earlier in the academic year so they have time to assess and grade them ahead of moderation by the exam board. You should confirm the exact deadlines with your child’s teachers or exam board.

When is A Level study leave in 2026?

Study leave policies vary between schools. Many schools grant study leave from early May, giving students the flexibility to structure their revision in a way that works best for them. Some schools, however, may choose to keep students in lessons, offering structured revision sessions with teacher support. To understand how study leave will be handled, it’s best to check with your child’s school directly.

What should my child do the night before their A Level exams?

The night before an exam, it’s important for students to take a break and get plenty of rest to ensure they are alert and focused for the exam. Last-minute cramming can be detrimental to their performance, so they should stick to light revision, such as a short session reviewing key points or using flashcards.

They should pack their bag with all necessary exam essentials, including pens, pencils, a calculator (if required), and their ID so there’s no last minute panic in the morning. Setting multiple alarms will help ensure they wake up on time, and getting an early night will allow them to feel well-rested for the day ahead.

For more detailed advice, read our article on helping your child the night before an exam.

• Copy URL
• Share Article