When are GCSE exam dates and when is results day 2025?
Getty ImagesExam season is beginning for hundreds of thousands of GCSE students in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Here is everything you need to know.
When are the 2025 GCSE exam dates?
The GCSE summer exam period begins on Monday 5 May, and finishes on Wednesday 25 June.
The exact dates of your exams will depend on which exam board your school is using (AQA, Pearson, OCR, WJEC or CCEA, for example). Here is a helpful BBC Bitesize guide.
What happens if I miss an exam due to illness?
If you are unwell on the day of your exam, you should contact your school or college as soon as possible.
You will be asked to fill out a form for your school or college to request "special consideration" from your exam board.
What time do GCSE results come out?
GCSE results will come out on Thursday, 21 August from 08:00 BST. If you are collecting them in person, check with your school for an exact time.
In England, GCSEs are now graded using a numerical system from 9-1, rather than A-E as was previously the case.
Students need a 4 for a "standard pass" and 5 for a "strong pass".
In Wales and Northern Ireland, GCSEs are graded using letters, unless an exam taken in those nations comes under an English exam board.
What are the GCSE grade boundaries?
Grade boundaries show the minimum number of marks you need for each grade.
They are decided by examiners and published on results day.
The Department for Education in England has said students in maths, physics, and combined science exams will be allowed to use formulae and equation sheets. They will be same as those used for exams in 2024.
How can I appeal against GCSE results?
If you do not think your grade is right, you should first talk to your school or college.
It will contact the exam board on your behalf and ask for your marks to be reviewed.
If you still think you have been unfairly graded after a review, you can ask your school or college to appeal.
The exam board will consider whether a correction is needed.
If you are still not satisfied, you can request a review from regulator Ofqual.
The charity YoungMinds says results are not the only measure of success - and if things do not turn out as you had hoped, there are lots of other ways to help you achieve your goals.
What if I fail a GCSE exam?
You can resit any GCSE exam the following academic year.
The resits for GCSE maths and English, which are both mandatory subjects, take place from 5 November.
If you want to explore this option, you should speak to your school about the best course of action.
What happens next?
Under-18s must remain in official education or training. You may choose to stay in full-time education, start an apprenticeship or work while studying part-time.
Many pupils go on to study A-levels. International Baccalaureate (IB) is also an option.
There is also a range of vocational courses you could take, such as National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), BTec Level 3s, TechBacs, Cambridge Technicals and (in England only) T-levels.
You could also consider an apprenticeship. Apprentices get paid a salary, as they spend 80% of their time in the workplace while being trained.
What about results in Scotland?
Scotland has a different qualification system, with Nationals, instead of GCSEs, and Highers, which are similar to A-levels.
National 5 exams have already started and will finish at the beginning of June.
Results day in Scotland is on Tuesday 5 August.