General Qualifications Bulletin UK Issue 72
Welcome to the September qualifications bulletin and a new academic year.
This edition provides information on our post-results services and deadlines, live online subject insight events providing feedback on the GCSE and A level summer series, November 2025 exam series entry deadlines, support for Exams Officers and more.
In this months update:
- Key dates
- Summer 2025 post-results services
- Summer insight events and CPD
- November 2025 exam series - GCSE English and Maths
- Modified Papers Autumn 2025 exam series
- Exams Officer support
- New look, same trusted service
- Subject updates
- Follow us on Facebook
- May/June 2025 post-exam survey - last change to have your say
Date |
Activity |
|---|---|
12 September |
Entry deadline for International GCSE November series |
4 October |
Entry deadline for GCSE Maths and GCSE English November series |
Summer 2025 post-results services
As you settle into the new term and review your students results, you can still use our post-results services if you or your students have any concerns about results. You can download our guide to help you understand your students’ results, the steps you can take to get more insight about their grades, and what to do if you’re unsure that the right grade has been given.
You can also take a look at grade boundaries for all qualifications and view our guides to understanding the approach to grade boundaries for 2025.
Post-results services, key dates and fees
The post-results services window closes on 25 September.
Results PlusYou can still use our post-results service, ResultsPlus, to help you take a deeper dive into your students results from summer 2025 and support departmental CPD.
Our Access to Scripts service is open until 12 December 2025. Not just useful for post-results support, but you can download student exam scripts* and gain a rich source of information, enabling detailed analysis to inform teaching and learning and support students - giving insights and visibility that performance data alone cannot provide.
Take a closer look at Access to Scripts and see how other centres have used this valuable service to support departmental CPD via our case studies.
*Written permission must be gained from candidates before scripts can be accessed.
Our Access to Scripts service is open until 12 December 2025. Not just useful for post-results support, but you can download student exam scripts* and gain a rich source of information, enabling detailed analysis to inform teaching and learning and support students - giving insights and visibility that performance data alone cannot provide.
Take a closer look at Access to Scripts and see how other centres have used this valuable service to support departmental CPD via our case studies.
Read more about Access to Scripts
*Written permission must be gained from candidates before scripts can be accessed.
As part of our post-results support, we’re now running online summer 2025 subject insight events where we’ll present key themes on how students performed in the 2025 summer series and give teachers the opportunity to explore this feedback. We’ll also share ideas on how to make the most of the post-results support available and how this can be used to help prepare students for future exam series.
There are also many other courses available across a wide range of subjects. Visit the PD Academy and search for your subject to find out more about the events, dates and how to sign up.
November 2025 exam series – GCSE English and Maths
If you have students wishing to take GCSE English Language and/or GCSE Maths in the November series, the entry deadline is 4 October 2024.
Ordering 3D models
We don’t automatically supply 3D models with the modified large-print Maths papers. If you’re placing an order for modified large-print GCSE Maths or International GCSE Maths for a student who will need 3D models, please place an order using our 3D models order form by 3 October. Due to the production lead time, we won’t be able to supply models for any orders made after that date.
Order 3D models for GCSE/International GCSE Maths
3D models will still come as standard with all orders for UEB Grade 1 and Grade 2 braille, so you don’t need to place a separate order for models if you’re requesting these modified papers.
Only use 3D models with modified papers
The 3D models are produced for use with modified papers only. 3D models are not available to order for standard exam materials and must not be used with them, as the modified question paper and model may contain differences to the standard question paper as part of the modification process. Using both modified and standard materials together risks significant disadvantage to your students.
If you have any questions or want more information, you can contact us at additional_requirements@pearson.com
The new EO Support: New Academic Year Essential Information article covers important topics, including:
- Deadlines and support for post-results services and appeals
- November exam series
- Timetables and JCQ guidance
- Entry key dates and guidance
- And much more.
Download the new EO Support: New Academic Year Essential Information
Autumn exam series
View the full November series timetable
Download the stationery and materials spreadsheet for the autumn series
New look, same trusted service
From September 2025, you’ll start seeing our new look branding in emails, online, and across our materials. Everything you expect from Pearson Edexcel is still here, just with a fresh look. You can still count on the same high-quality qualifications, services, and support.
We’ve got a lot to update, so you might see a mix of old and new branding for a while. Certificates will remain unchanged this summer.
We shared more details in an email earlier this month. Missed it?
We’re running free face-to-face coursework marking training for GCSE and A level Art and Design this autumn. Based on your feedback, we’ve extended the training to a full-day event.
Whether you're new to marking or looking to refine your approach, this is a brilliant opportunity to build confidence and share best practice.
Book your place today.
A level Art and Design: Face-to-Face Coursework Marking Training
GCSE Art and Design: Face-to-Face Coursework Marking Training
You can view all the training events available for GCSE, International GCSE and A level Art and Design on our PD Academy.
AS and A level Religious Studies specification amendments for first teaching September 2025
We've made a few minor amendments to our AS and A level Religious Studies qualifications to keep everything accurate, consistent, and clear. These amendments are minimal, and our focus throughout has been on improving the student experience while keeping disruption to teaching to a minimum.
The amended specifications will apply from September 2025 for new Year 12 students, with first assessment in Summer 2026 (AS) and Summer 2027 (A level). The amended Anthology can be used immediately.
Additional time for Edexcel A level Psychology Papers 1 & 2
We’ve listened carefully to feedback from A level Psychology teachers and students. While we are not making any changes to the specification or the structure of the exams at this time, we are pleased to confirm an important update to the timing of Papers 1 and 2.
Increase in exam time
Following Ofqual approval, we’re happy to announce that from the June 2026 exam series onwards, the time allowed for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 will increase to 2 hours and 15 minutes. Paper 3 will remain at 2 hours, as it carries fewer marks (80 rather than 90).
All other aspects of the papers will remain unchanged. This means you can continue to use existing past papers for mocks and practice, simply adjusting the time allowed for Papers 1 and 2.
We hope this change will help reduce exam-day pressure and give students more opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding.
You can read about this and more in Tim Lawrence’s September Subject Advisor update
How do you stay up to date with all the news and information about the subjects you teach?
By signing up to receive a monthly newsletter from your Subject Advisor you’ll be kept informed of all the key information you need to know throughout the year.
Follow us on Facebook
One year ago we launched our Pearson Edexcel Facebook page, designed to help and support you with the teaching and delivery of our UK qualifications.
We now have 15 Pearson Edexcel subject groups, run by our Subject Advisors. Thanks to all the group members, these have proved to be very successful in facilitating discussions, providing support and enabling teachers to share ideas and resources.
The latest subject group to launch is Pearson Edexcel Music, run by our Subject Advisor, Jeffery Hole.
Join the Pearson Edexcel Music Facebook group
Look out for more subjects joining the Facebook family soon. In the meantime, find your Facebook subject group under 'About', 'Groups' and join today.
Thank you to all those that have completed the surveys so far, we really appreciate your feedback. If you're a teacher, and your students took any of our exams in the May/June 2025 series, there’s still time to share your thoughts on this year's exam papers.
We'll share your feedback with our senior examiners and across teams to ensure we continue to make improvements to our papers where appropriate so we can make sure your students have the best exam experience.
The surveys will close on 30 September. Please complete the surveys and have your say. Thank you.