As the end of the year and the first term of school is fast approaching, so too is the 2025 GCSE and A-Level exam season. This statement isn't meant to scare you or cause anxiety; it's simply a reminder that with exams soon near, we should do our best to start preparing early. Ensuring we prepare and organise with ample time means we can minimise the stressful, last-minute cramming that often arises around exam time.
In this blog, we´ll give you an overview of the GCSE and A-Level exam dates for some of the most common exam boards, as well as some insights on when you should start revising and, if need be, when to seek the help of a private exam preparation tutor.
The GCSE exam season for 2025 is said to be from Monday, May 5th, until Friday, June 20th. However, this may vary slightly according to each of the exam boards. The dates provided in the tables below are an estimate of when these exams will be, but they may be subject to change. We've outlined the dates only for a number of the core subjects taken at GCSE. If you have any further subjects, the dates for their exams can be found on the official websites of the corresponding exam boards.
2025 GCSE and A-Level Exam Dates 2025 PDF
AQA:
Exam |
Dates |
English Language |
23rd May (AM) |
Mathematics |
15th May (AM) 11th June (AM) |
Biology |
13th May (PM) |
Chemistry |
19th May (AM) |
Physics |
22nd May (AM) 16th June (AM) |
Edexcel:
Exam |
Dates |
English Language |
23rd May (AM) |
Mathematics |
15th May (AM) 11th June (AM) |
Biology |
13th May (PM) |
Chemistry |
19th May (AM) |
Physics |
22nd May (AM) 16th June (AM) |
CCEA:
Exam |
Dates |
English Language |
7th May (AM) |
Mathematics |
15th May (AM) |
Biology |
17th May (AM) |
Chemistry |
19th May (AM) 20th June(PM) |
Physics |
22nd May (AM) 16th June (AM) |
A-Level exams in 2025 are said to start on May 12th and finish around June 27th. In the table below, we've outlined the chosen dates for some of the most popular subjects in the AQA exam board. Please note that, as with GCSE, some of the dates of these exams could be subject to change.
AQA:
Exam |
Dates |
English Language |
21st May (PM) |
English Literature |
14th May (PM) |
French |
6th June (AM) 16th June (AM) |
Geography |
13th May (AM) 22nd May (PM) |
German |
20th May (AM) |
History |
23rd May (AM) |
Mathematics |
4th June (PM) 12th June (PM) 19th June (PM) |
Media Studies |
19th May (PM) |
Music |
9th June (PM) |
Biology |
5th June (PM) 18th June (AM) |
Chemistry |
10th June (AM) |
Physics |
23rd May (AM) 9th June (AM) 17th June (AM) |
Politics |
20th May (PM) 5th June (PM) 10th June (AM) |
Psychology |
16th May (AM) 21st May (AM) 9th June (AM) |
Religious Studies |
10th June (PM) 17th June (PM) |
Sociology |
19th May (AM) 4th June (AM) 13th June (PM) |
Spanish |
3rd June (AM) 11th June (AM) |
While it´s tempting to leave exam revision until a couple of weeks before your exams take place, the truth is that the earlier you start, the less stressed you'll feel at the time of your exams. The best way to start with your revision is to create a study schedule for yourself. That way, you can study little by little every week, and ensure you cover all of the topics you need to study before your exams take place. This also allows you to see what areas you might be struggling with and what you´ll need to revise again.
There are many ways you can revise for GCSE & A-Level exams, and there isn't a one size fits all approach to this. We all have different learning styles and what works for others, may not work for us. To start with, it might be helpful to try a combination of approaches. In this way, you can see which methods work best for you.
Below we've outlined just some of the methods you can use in your revision:
Like with revision, it's beneficial to find a private tutor in the UK as soon as possible in the school year. A private tutor can guide you through your subject curriculum, help you keep on top of the course content throughout the year, and guide you through the exam structure and content in advance. Not only this, but they can teach you skills and techniques that will allow you to enter into the exam period feeling confident, calm and prepared.
That being said, it's never too late to find a private tutor. You could also find a private tutor online as soon as you notice that you´re struggling with certain subjects or that your grades are not where you want them to be. While it is not recommended that you find a tutor at the very last minute, particularly as it may be a little more difficult to find a good tutor in such a short time, scheduling a few sessions in the weeks before your exams can only benefit you.
To conclude, there is no doubt that if you start preparing for your 2025 exams now, your future self will thank you for it. Organising your study timetable and studying little-by-little each week will allow you to embrace exam season with a positive attitude. Remember to take regular breaks between studying and continue doing the extra-curricular activities that help you to mentally unwind from schoolwork. One of the best things you can do for yourself as you approach exam season is learn how to remain calm.
We hope these tips will help you prepare for your 2025 exams.
Very best of luck!
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