We want to make sure students have got the best possible support ahead of the May/June 2022 exam series. On this page we’ll provide you with up-to-date information and relevant links to help you understand any changes for 2022 to help you prepare for your assessments.  

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The Department for Education has confirmed that they expect exams to go ahead in 2022 and does not expect that to change, except in the unlikely event of a public health emergency which would prevent students being able to physically sit the exams. But there will be a few changes that will help guide and prioritise your revision, and make sure you are not disadvantaged for any work you’ve missed in the last two years. 

Please take a look at our video that explains these changes. 

What you need to know for Summer 2022

Optionality, advance information, formulae and equations

Optionality

For GCSE and International GCSE English Literature, Geography and History, you will not be tested on one option from your course. Do check with your teachers to see which option you will not be tested on. 

Advance information

Advance information is available for all subjects except GCSE and International GCSE English Literature, Geography, History, Art and Design and A level Art and Design. This is because there are different forms of help for those qualifications.  

For many subjects, the advance information will tell you which content from the specification will be assessed on which exam paper. 

You won’t be given information about specific questions. You might still need to use other knowledge and skills from your whole course, especially on lower mark questions, or as a part of longer questions, even if the content was not mentioned in the advance information.

It is important to note that the advance information will not cover everything that is to be assessed, and you should ensure you have a good understanding of all the specification content.

We have updated some of the advance information documents where minor amendments were needed due to typographical reasons OR to meet the principles of advance information content agreed by all exam boards. The qualifications and type of amendments are listed below.

The updates are demarcated in the document on the left-hand sidebar. A grey line in the sidebar shows where the change to the document was made.
  
Please make sure you are using the latest version for these qualifications that are linked from the table.
Qualification Version Link to final version Details of amendments
GCSE Biblical Hebrew V2 Final Document
 Content - Bullet point 4 on page 3 has been removed.
GCSE Mathematics V2 Final Document Typographical - AI updated to include all detail in both the individual paper lists and the collated paper lists. These updates are reflected on pages 6 and 21.
GCSE Physical Education V2 Final Document Content – Bullet point removed on information section and page 3.
GCSE Physical Education (Short Course) V2 Final Document Content – Bullet point removed on information section and page 3.
A level Economics A V3 Final Document Content - Quantitative skills have been added on pages 4 and 5.
AS Economics A V3 Final Document Content - Quantitative skills have been added on pages 5, 7 and 9.
A level Geography V2 Final Document Typographical – Headings 1.7.a and 1.7.c amended.
A level History V2 Final Document Typographical - Topic 37.2 title has been changed to say Section A and Section B.
A level Physical Education V2 Final Document Content – Bullet point removed on information section and page 3.
A level Politics V2 Final Document Content – Full specification points added to page 6 and 7.
A level Religious Studies V2 Final Document Typographical – Removal of erroneous number on page 9.

Links to the advance information can be found on our main Summer 2022 support page. Please scroll to the bottom of the page and under the heading Summer 2022 support, click on the qualification drop down box, then select your subject. The advance information for that subject will be in the top right-hand corner of the page.

Find your advance information

Formulae and equations

In a normal exam year, you would need to memorise formulae and equations for GCSE Maths, Physics, Combined Science and International GCSE Physics, Science Single Award, and Science Double Award. For 2022, you will be given lists of these formulae and equations in your exams. You don’t have to memorise the formulae this year, but make sure you’re familiar with them and know how to use them to solve problems. 

Getting ready for exams

For most of you, this summer will be the first time you've sat a formal exam, while for others it may have been some time since you last sat one. We've produced a guide to getting ready for exams to help you prepare and know what to expect on exam day. It includes some useful tips on what to take into the exam room, and importantly what you cannot take in with you.

We understand that you might be feeling anxious as the exams approach. That's why the guide also includes tips and helpful information for wellbeing during exams and where you can find further support should you need it.

Download the guide now.  

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Joint Council for Qualifications guidance for students, parents and carers

The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) have produced some guidance and frequently asked questions about advance information for students. Please do take a look at this information below. 

JCQ Advance information Student Guide Summer 2022 (accessible version)

JCQ Advance information Student Guide Summer 2022

JCQ Advance information Frequently Asked Questions (for Students) Summer 2022

Ofqual and Department for Education guidance for students

Ofqual have created a number of guides for students, including one about how GCSEs, A levels, vocational and technical qualifications will be graded and awarded this summer, taking into account the disruption to education caused by the pandemic. 

Take a look at the Student guide to exams and formal assessments in 2021 to 2022

Coping with exam pressure - a guide for students

DfE Blog: Everything you need to know about Covid measures during exams this summer

Access to past exam papers – private candidates

Please see the information on our Private candidates page which explains how private candidates can access locked past exam papers. 

Past papers for private candidates

Exam timetables

Your school will tell you when your exam dates are, but you can also check on our Exam timetables page.

Take a look at the exam timetables for summer 2022

2022 results days

This year results days are: 

  • Thursday 18 August for AS and A level 
  • Thursday 25 August for GCSE and International GCSE