Arrangements for International GCSE and International A level exams for May/June 2026
Arrangements for International GCSE and International A level exams for May/June 2026 – important update.
Our approach to running exams
Our intention remains the same: to proceed with exams as normal wherever possible. Exams continue to be the most robust and valid way to support progression for the young people who need it, and our focus is on ensuring that these opportunities are maintained wherever possible.
We will keep this under review, and we will be in touch again at the beginning of April as the situation develops.
Where candidate assessments have been disrupted, we have provision in place through our special consideration process to take this into account. Schools should apply as per usual for special considerations for all students affected.
Planning ahead
It is possible that in some countries, schools may remain closed and exams may not be able to proceed in May / June. As such, it is important that you have clarity early on about what alternative arrangements may look like, so you can begin preparing in good time.
This update is intended to set out our overall approach so please read the information provided carefully. We will continue to communicate with you regularly as the situation develops, sharing more detailed guidance and instructions at the right time.
As always, we appreciate the extraordinary work you continue to do to support your students under challenging circumstances. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Disruption to NEAs and practical examinations
For some qualifications, we have now moved into the period when departments come together to mark and standardise non‑examined assessments, practical assessments, and to conduct speaking exams.
Due to current centre closures, we are granting a two-week extension to the published deadlines for completing these activities.
If centre closures impact your ability to complete these activities by the revised deadline, please contact your Regional Development Manager or our customer support teams as soon as possible.
Contingency options and procedures
International GCSE, International A level and iPLS examinations, May/June 2026.
The information below sets out when our contingency arrangements apply, and where they do not.
Key information
The arrangements outlined below only apply in situations where students are unable to transfer to another centre and are therefore unable to sit exams.
- If a transfer to another centre is possible, this remains the preferred option. For guidance on how to submit a transferred candidate application, please refer to our support article on transferred candidates that provides instructions specifically for centres in your region on how to process this request.
- International A level entries cannot be made in the UK. However, candidates can be transferred to UK centres using the transferred candidate process. The entry remains with the current centre, and only the exam paper is transferred to the host centre.
The contingency arrangements below apply only to International A level, International GCSE and iPLS qualifications.
We’re currently exploring potential options for Ofqual‑regulated GCSE and A level qualifications. Centres offering these qualifications will be updated as soon as more information is available.
How contingency arrangements will be applied
Which contingency arrangement applies will depend on the following factors:
- Whether students are planning to certificate in this exam series, and
- Whether they already have banked unit results i.e. unit results from a previous exam series for our modular qualifications, or
- Whether students have already completed components for a linear qualification e.g. components for practical subjects such as International GCSE Art & Design.
If students DO NOT need to certificate this series
If students are not intending to complete their qualification and receive a certificate in this series, centres should enter them for the next available exam session.
Information about future examination sessions is available in the Pearson Information Manual.
Download PDFs of the Pearson Information Manual
If students DO need to certificate this series
If students are planning to complete their qualification and certificate this summer, the arrangements below will apply.
Students with at least one banked unit result for the qualification they are cashing in for:
- Where students are unable to sit their exams, centres will be asked to apply for special consideration.
- Applications will be reviewed for enhanced grading, using the learner’s existing unit or component results to help determine the final grade.
Students without any banked unit results
- In this situation, centres will be asked to apply for International Contingency Grading.
- Centres will need to submit evidence of student performance for review by our examiners, who will determine grades in line with the contingency arrangements.
While exams are currently expected to go ahead, we recommend that centres begin collecting appropriate evidence now for students who fall into this category, as a sensible precaution.
Portfolio of Evidence for International Contingency Grading
Where possible, we would like centres to submit a full set of past papers (for example, Paper 1 and Paper 2 where a qualification includes two papers). Ideally these will have been sat under exam conditions, or as close as possible.
We recognise that this will not be possible for all learners. Where centres are unable to provide this, they are welcome to submit alternative evidence. All submitted evidence will be reviewed by Pearson in line with our agreed contingency arrangements.
Centres may submit predicted grades as part of the wider portfolio of evidence, awarded as if learners were sitting exams. Examiners will then grade on the basis of the work submitted, using any additional information as supporting context rather than as grades to be awarded.
The table below summarises the contingency arrangements laid out above.
Are learners certificating this summer?
|
Do learners have banked unit results from a previous series?
|
Contingency Arrangement
|
|---|---|---|
No
|
Yes
|
Defer to next available exam series
|
No
|
No
|
Defer to next available exam series
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Special consideration (enhanced grading)
|
Yes
|
No
|
International contingency grading
|
Further Support
If there’s anything you need, or if you have concerns about upcoming activity, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, either via your local Regional Development Manager, or our customer support portal.