Get the best experience in our app
Enjoy offline reading, category favourites, and instant updates - right from your pocket.

A-level exam dates 2026: timetables and other key information

The 2026 A-level exam series begins on Monday 11 May. Find everything you need to know in our complete guide
5th November 2025, 11:30pm

Share

A-level exam dates 2026: timetables and other key information

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/secondary/a-level-exam-dates-timetables
A-level exams 2026: timetables and key information

A-level students in schools and colleges around the world are preparing to take their exams next summer.

But when, exactly, are the exams? And what other key information do school staff and students need to know ahead of next summer’s A levels?

Here is Tes’ one-stop guide for all of your A-level exam season questions:

When are A-level exams in 2026?

A-level exams in 2026 will run between Monday 11 May and Tuesday 23 June.

A-level timetables are released by the exam boards, with timetables from each “awarding body” available via the links below:

When is A-level results day 2026?

A-level results day 2026 will be on Thursday 13 August.

When are AS-level exams in 2026?

The 2026 AS levels begin on Monday 11 May and finish on Tuesday 23 June.

When are the maths A-level exams in 2026?

The first maths A-level exam will be held on Thursday 28 May and the last will be held on Thursday 18 June. Find full details below:

Thursday 28 May

  • CCEA - unit 1 (pure mathematics)

Wednesday 3 June

  • Edexcel - paper 1 (pure mathematics 1)
  • AQA - paper 1
  • WJEC - unit 3
  • CCEA - unit 2 (applied mathematics)

Thursday 11 June

  • Edexcel - paper 2 (pure mathematics 2)
  • WJEC - unit 4
  • AQA - paper 2

Thursday 18 June

  • Edexcel - paper 3 (statistics and mechanics)
  • AQA - paper 3

When are the English language A-level exams in 2026?

The first English language A-level exam will be held on Monday 11 May and the last will be held on Wednesday 3 June. Find full details below:

Monday 11 May

  • Edexcel - paper 1 (language variation)
  • AQA - paper 1 (language, the individual and society)
  • Eduqas - component 1

Monday 18 May

  • Edexcel - paper 2 (child language)

Tuesday 19 May

  • WJEC - unit 3

Friday 22 May

  • AQA - paper 2 (language diversity and change)
  • Eduqas - component 2

Wednesday 3 June

  • Edexcel - paper 3 (investigating language)
  • Eduqas - component 3
  • WJEC - unit 4

When are the English literature A-level exams in 2026?

The first English literature A-level exam will be held on Wednesday 13 May and the last will be held on Wednesday 10 June. Find full details below:

Wednesday 13 May

  • Edexcel - paper 1 (drama)
  • AQA - paper 1 (love through the ages)
  • Eduqas - component 1

Wednesday 20 May

  • CCEA - unit 1
  • Monday 1 June
  • Edexcel - paper 2 (prose)
  • WJEC - unit 3
  • AQA - paper 2 (texts in shared contexts)
  • Eduqas - component 2
  • CCEA - unit 2

Wednesday 10 June

  • Edexcel - paper 3 (poetry)
  • Eduqas - component 3
  • WJEC - unit 4

How can schools help students with A-level revision?

The A-level exam period is a hugely important time for students, with many aiming to secure the necessary qualifications to gain access to higher education.

If students in your class are struggling with revision, Mark Enser has shared his top seven revision techniques.

You can also find the latest research and best practice advice on A-level revision on our exam revision hub.

What is the most popular A-level subject?

In 2025, maths remained the most popular subject, with 112,138 entries - 12.7 per cent of the total number of entries for A levels. This was followed by psychology with 75,943 entries and biology with 71,400. The other subjects in the top 10 were: chemistry, business studies, physics, history, sociology, art and design subjects, and economics.

Find out how students performed in each area in 2025 with our subject-by-subject breakdown.

What were the key trends from A-level results in 2025?

The regional divide in the proportion of students getting the top grades in A levels widened slightly in 2025.

The gap between the highest- and lowest-performing regions in achieving As and A*s widened from 8.8 percentage points in 2024 to 9.2 last year.

Out of all entries across the country, 9.4 per cent received an A* in 2025, compared with 9.3 per cent a year earlier.

There was also an increase in the proportion of entries receiving grades A* to C, from 76 per cent in 2024 to 77.7 per cent last year.

For an indispensable look at the week’s biggest stories and talking points, sign up for our Weekly Debrief newsletter

topics in this article

Recent
Most read
Most shared