General Qualifications Bulletin UK Issue 77
Welcome to the February qualifications bulletin.
We've got a packed edition this month, with information to support you and your students as you begin the preparations for the summer exam series. It also includes information on the new government GCSE results app in England for summer 2026, plus details on how we’re partnering with the UCL Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), to look at how neurotypical and neurodivergent students answer GCSE exam questions and how you can get involved.
In this months update:
- Key dates
- Important change to mark submission for internally assessed and externally moderated work
- Modified papers - models
- Government to roll out a new GCSE results app for summer 2026
- Reminder - Ofqual consultation for the regulation of onscreen assessment
- Help improve exam equity for neurodivergent students
- Onscreen assessment updates
- Support and training for Exams Officers
- Summer 2027 provisional timetables
- Subject spotlight
- Know someone who’s making a real difference in your school or college?
- Join our new Pearson Edexcel Facebook group
- Event spotlight: Next Generation Assessment 2026
Date |
Exam Series |
Description |
|---|---|---|
21 February |
June 2026
|
Entry deadline for AS/A level, GCSE, AEA, ELC(A), Mathematics in Context, Level 2 Extended Mathematics Certificate |
| 22 February | June 2026 | Late entry fees charged from this date for AS/A level, GCSE, AEA, ELC(A), Mathematics in Context, Level 2 Extended Mathematics Certificate |
Download a spreadsheet with all the key dates for the 2025/26 academic year
You can also take a look at our interactive Qualifications Key Dates Calendar. It can also be downloaded and syncronised seamlessly with your own personal calendar, such as MS Outlook.
Important change to mark submission for internally assessed and externally moderated work
From this summer, there’s an important change to how you submit marks and student work for GCSE, A level, Project Qualifications, Entry Level Certificates (ELC) and Tech Awards for internally moderated work. We’re sharing this now, so you have plenty of time to plan ahead.
What’s changing?
You’ll need to submit your centre marks before we release the list of students selected for the moderation sample.
Once you’ve made your entries, submit your centre marks through Edexcel Online. Learner Work Transfer (LWT) opens on 13 April 2026. If your centre marks are submitted before this date, your moderation sample will be available in LWT from 13 April, and you can upload student work for moderation straight away.
If you submit your centre marks on or after 13 April, your moderation sample will appear in LWT within 24 hours.
What you need to do
The deadline for submitting the moderation sample remains 15 May. Please submit your marks as soon as you’re able to rather than waiting until the deadline, allowing enough time for you to upload your moderation sample.
This change does not apply to qualifications with practical performance moderation or existing alternative moderation arrangements, such as those with visiting moderators.
We’re here to help
We know this is a change to the way you usually work, and we appreciate you adapting your timelines. We’ll continue to share reminders, FAQs and subject or sector specific guidance as the deadline approaches.
If you have any questions or need support with submitting centre marks or moderation samples, please contact us through the Pearson support portal. Our team will be happy to help.
Modified papers – models
The deadline for ordering modified papers for the summer 2026 exam series has now passed. We’d like to remind you that we no longer supply 3D models with the modified large print Maths papers unless they are ordered.
Please note that these will still come as standard with all orders for UEB Grade 1 and Grade 2 braille, so you do not need to request these.
If you've placed an order for modified large print papers for one of the following subjects, and your student(s) requires 3D models, please complete the form below by 27 February to order them.
- GCSE Mathematics
- International GCSE Mathematics
- A level Mathematics
- Edexcel Award Number & Measure
Failure to order 3D models by this date will result in no models being sent to your centre.
Order your 3D models by 27 February
If you require any further information regarding this, please contact the Modified Formats Team at additional_requirements@pearson.com.
Government to roll out a new GCSE results app for summer 2026
After a successful trial in summer 2025, Year 11 students in England will be able to view their GCSE results on their phones for the first time from results day 2026.
The new app will allow students to view their results and store a digital record of those results for future use, such as when applying for jobs or further education, without the need to find a paper certificate that can easily get lost.
Whilst the traditional moment of collecting exam results in person, schools are being encouraged to sign up so pupils can download and set up the app before the summer results day.
Reminder - Ofqual consultation for on-screen assessment
If you've not done so already, please do take a look at the Ofqual consultation on proposals for how onscreen assessment should be regulated in GCSEs, AS and A levels in England. Whilst they propose a controlled introduction of on-screen assessment, pen-and-paper will remain central to most exams.
As teachers working directly with students, you understand their needs and the challenges this proposal may present.
Your opinion counts. The consultation closes on 5 March 2026.
Help improve exam equity for neurodivergent students
Pearson has partnered with the UCL Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), to look at how neurotypical and neurodivergent (e.g. those who are autistic/have ADHD) students answer GCSE exam questions.
Read the project overview for further information
We hope this will allow us to make our exams more accessible for all students.
We would be very grateful if centres would consider taking part in the next phase of this very important project.
Onscreen assessment updates
New Familiarisation Materials Now Available
For centres with students sitting onscreen exams this May/June, we’re pleased to share that additional onscreen assessments have been added to the familiarisation library on our onscreen platform. These resources are freely available and ready for centres to use with students.
Familiarisation materials are digitised versions of past papers designed to support both teachers and students in gaining confidence with the format, layout and features of our onscreen platform ahead of their high stakes assessments.
They can be assigned directly through the platform’s Booking App. If you need any help assigning assessments to your students or getting started with the onscreen platform, our Onscreen Assessment Team is here to support you – just email internationalonscreen@pearson.com.
Text-to-Speech (TTS) Functionality
We’re pleased to confirm that within the onscreen platform, the text-to-speech tool will be available as an access arrangement for eligible students in selected assessments during the May/June 2026 series. This feature will be available for the following qualifications and subjects:
- International GCSE Business
- International GCSE English Language A
- International GCSE English Literature
- International GCSE History
If you would like more information on this tool, please contact us at internationalonscreen@pearson.com.
Upcoming Drop-in Q&A Sessions
We're here to help with any general onscreen queries you may have, so please feel free to join our friendly drop-in sessions. Just remember to sign up in advance - we look forward to seeing you there.
Date |
Time (GMT) |
Registration Link |
|---|---|---|
Wednesday 25 February |
4:00pm – 5:00pm (GMT) |
Register for this event |
Wednesday 11 March |
8:00am – 9:00am (GMT) |
Register for this event |
If you're interested in finding out more about onscreen exams and how this could be an option for your students in future exam series, please complete our short form and we’ll be in touch to discuss this further.
Support and training for Exams Officers
We’ve pulled together everything you need for the Autumn and Winter 2025/26 exam series — from key dates and deadlines to extra guidance — in one handy place.
Explore the EO Support: Autumn & Winter Essential Information
All the timetables for each of the 2026 exam series can be found on our exam timetables page.
Download the exam timetables
The JCQ key dates document for 2026 is now available on their website.
This academic year we’re running a series of Bitesize webinars. These are short, focused online sessions designed to simplify the key administrative steps and essential information around general and BTEC qualifications. They are intended to help educators and support staff confidently navigate processes, meet requirements, and provide better support to their learners.
Take a look and sign up for Bitesize events today
If you’re unable to attend, you can view recordings of all the events in your own time.
Summer 2027 provisional timetables
The provisional timetables for summer 2027 are now available on our website. The feedback window will run until Friday 20 March. Please send any feedback to timetables@pearson.com.
Take a look at the provisional timetables
Meet Mark Battye - your History Subject Advisor
Mark is your go-to expert for all our history qualifications. Mark is here to support you with resources, training and updates that make a real difference in the classroom.
Each month, Mark sends out a newsletter packed with useful content - and if you’re not already signed up, now’s a great time to join the list.
- A link to our entry code calculator to generate GCSE History entry codes
- A link to the entry codes for International GCSE
- Upcoming A level and GCSE training events, and more
Read Mark’s February Subject Advisor update
Sign up for Mark’s History newsletter today
A level Art and Design Component 2
On 1 February the A level Art and Design Component 2 externally set assignment (ESA) paper was released. This is available for secure download from the course materials pages under Exam Materials.
Full details for accessing these as well as Component 2 planning resources can be found in Jaclyn Wiid’s January update.
GCSE and A Level Drama and Theatre Component 2 information 2025/2026
The Component 2 assessment window opened on the 5th January and runs until the 24th April.
If you haven't heard from your examiner for Component 2 please do get in touch with us by emailing drama.assessment@pearson.com or contacting us via the Pearson Support Portal.
Please note: Exam entries must be made in your centre before the Component 2 assessment takes place. Please speak to your exams office about this.
Book in some time with your Subject Advisor who’ll be happy to discuss our qualifications and provide the support you need for teaching our qualifications.
Book your appointment now
You can also stay up to date with all the news and information about the subjects you teach when you sign 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.
Know someone who’s making a real difference in your school or college?
Nominate them for a 2026 Pearson National Teaching Award before 27 February!
The Pearson National Teaching Awards are a UK-wide celebration of excellence in education, recognising the outstanding work of teachers, support staff and leaders in early years settings, schools, and colleges across the country. With 16 categories recognising both teams and individuals, this is your chance to nominate and celebrate the outstanding educators who make a real difference every day.
Entries close on the 27th February!
Join our new Pearson Edexcel Facebook group
Do you follow our Pearson Edexcel page on Facebook? Our Pearson Edexcel page will be closing shortly, but you can still find the same great content on our new Pearson Edexcel Facebook group.
The group will be a space for sharing examiner recruitment opportunities, important information published in our Pearson General Qualifications Bulletin, support documents for students, parents and carers and much more.
Join our new Facebook Group today
Please note, this change does not affect any of our subject groups. To join your Pearson Edexcel subject group, go to the Pearson Facebook group and click on our featured post which lists all our subject groups.
Event spotlight: Next Generation Assessment 2026
Heading to Next Generation Assessment 2026 in London on 24 February? We’ll be at the Pearson stand, ready to chat about ideas, questions and what’s next for assessment.
You can also join us at the Innovation Lab from 8.30 am, where we’ll share insights from our new research – Assessment Evolved: Redefining Formative Assessment in a Generative AI Era. Based on our work with 1,000 educators and global experts, the research explores opportunities to reflect on and evolve formative assessment to deepen learning and boost AI literacy.
Want to find out more? The research and practical support guides for schools are all online now.