Resits and retakes
GCSE Maths and English have two resit windows a year (Nov + Summer). Other GCSEs and all A-Levels are Summer-only. Here's when, how much, and exactly how to enter.
November 2026 series
Only GCSE English Language and Maths run in November. If you're post-16 in England and below grade 4, your school/college usually enters you automatically.
GCSE English Language
Papers: Paper 1 + Paper 2
Dates: Mon 2 Nov & Wed 4 Nov 2026
Boards offering: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC
GCSE Mathematics
Papers: Paper 1, 2, 3 (per board)
Dates: Tue 3, Thu 5 & Mon 9 Nov 2026
Boards offering: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC
Summer 2027 series
The main resit window — same papers as the new cohort, but you're entered as a resit candidate. Boards always award the highest of your attempts.
GCSE Maths
When: May–June 2027 (full series)
Who can sit: Anyone who wants to retry; auto-required for any post-16 student still below grade 4.
GCSE English Language
When: May–June 2027 (full series)
Who can sit: Anyone; auto-required for post-16 students below grade 4.
GCSE other subjects
When: May–June 2027 only
Who can sit: Available via your old school OR as a private candidate at a registered centre.
A-Level all subjects
When: May–June 2027
Who can sit: Most centres accept private candidates. Some practical-heavy subjects (e.g. Drama, MFL speaking) need a centre that runs the practical.
Costs per paper
Approximate 2026 fees. The board fee is what your school/centre pays the exam board; the centre then adds an admin fee (often £25–£75 per subject). Always confirm before entering.
| Board | GCSE entry fee | A-Level entry fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQA | ~£45-60 per subject | ~£100-130 per subject | Plus admin fees from the centre (£25-£75 typical). |
| Edexcel | ~£45-60 per subject | ~£105-140 per subject | International private candidates pay a higher rate. |
| OCR | ~£45-58 per subject | ~£100-130 per subject | Practical endorsement (Sciences) charged separately. |
| WJEC | ~£42-55 per subject | ~£95-125 per subject | Lowest entry fees; centre fees vary widely. |
| CCEA | ~£42-55 per subject | ~£95-125 per subject | NI residents typically use a school centre, not private. |
How to enter as a private candidate
If you're not at a school anymore (left, gap year, home-educated, adult learner), you enter through a centre that accepts private candidates. The five steps are the same for every board.
Step 1
Find a centre that accepts private candidates
Not every school does. Use the JCQ centre-finder or call local FE colleges. Centres charge an admin/sitting fee on top of board entry fees.
Step 2
Confirm the spec your previous result used
You usually retake the SAME spec — re-using your existing UCI / candidate number maintains the link to your previous attempt. The board can re-issue your highest grade across attempts.
Step 3
Submit entry by the centre's deadline
November series deadlines fall in early October; summer deadlines fall in late February. Late entries cost double. Plan three months ahead.
Step 4
Pay both fees
Board entry fee + centre admin fee. Some centres invoice a single combined amount; others split. Always get a written confirmation.
Step 5
Sit the paper at the centre
You arrive with photo ID + entry letter. Same exam, same time, same length. Results land on the standard results day for that series.
The post-16 funding rule (England)
If you are between 16 and 18 in education in England and your GCSE Maths or English Language grade is below 4, government funding requires your post-16 setting to enrol you in continued study (and resits) until you achieve grade 4 or turn 19. Wales, NI and Scotland have variations of this — check with your sixth form / college.
2026 timetables →
Search every paper across 5 boards.
Results day →
Plus what to do if results disappoint.
Access arrangements →
Extra time, scribes, separate room.