General Qualifications Bulletin UK Issue 79
Welcome to the May qualifications bulletin.
As we approach the start of the summer 2026 exam series I’d like to thank you all for the incredible work that you do to get your students ready to sit their exams. It’s a huge achievement.
As always, we’re here to support you through the next few months, and in this issue we’ve got some important information and reminders to help you and your students in this busy period.
You’ll find updates on support for summer 2026, information from Ofqual and JCQ to pass onto your students, important key changes to the Secure Download Service (SDS) that will significantly improve your experience when using the service, the introduction of the Secure File Exchange (SFX) for the summer series, and much more.
In this months update:
- Key dates
- Reminder - Summer 2026 support
- Knowing what to take into the exam room
- Deadline approaching for mark submission for internally assessed and externally moderated work
- Ofqual Blog - Talking to students about AI in coursework: why the conversation matters
- Summer 2026 question paper dispatch
- Introducing Secure File Exchange for the May/June exam series
- Support and training for Exams Officers
- Subject spotlight
- Pearson School and College Report 2026: it's almost ready
- Join our new Pearson Edexcel Facebook group
Date |
Exam Series |
Description |
|---|---|---|
15 May |
June 2026
|
International GCSE, GCSE, IAL, AS/A level, ELC(A), Project qualifications. The exceptions to this deadline are GCSE and A level Art and Design – these marks do not need to be submitted until 48 hours before your moderator visit. |
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.
Reminder - Summer 2026 support
Student support from Ofqual and JCQ
As the exam season approaches, helping students feel calm, confident and prepared really matters. Alongside the support you already provide, Ofqual and the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) have created clear, student‑friendly guidance to help learners understand what to expect and how to prepare. We’ve summarised the key information below - please do share it with your students.
Ofqual has published guidance for students on arrangements for regulated qualifications in 2026. It explains what students need to know before, during and after their exams and assessments, helping them feel informed at every stage.
Read the Ofqual Student Guide to Exams and Assessments 2026
Every year there are claims of leaked exam papers or assessment materials on social media. It’s important to remember that ‘leaked’ materials are most likely fake, but that all instances of suspected leaks must be reported to the awarding organisation as soon as possible. On the rare occasion where genuine materials are leaked, there are processes to mitigate the impact on students.
Please remind your students that:
- They should not look at any ‘leaked’ materials as they could face sanctions, including disqualification, even if the materials are fake.
- If they spot what are claimed to be leaked materials, they should tell their teacher straight away.
JCQ offers a wide range of practical support for students, covering coursework, onscreen exams and written exams, as well as a useful exam day checklist to help students feel ready on the day.
Take a look at all the support JCQ have to offer for students
There’s also guidance available to support you and your colleagues. The Ofqual guide for schools and colleges sets out what schools, colleges and other exam or assessment centres can expect from awarding organisations regulated by Ofqual, along with the arrangements for qualifications in 2026.
Take a look at the Ofqual guide for schools and colleges 2026
You can also find the full range of support we offer on our General qualifications assessment support page.
General qualifications assessment support
Knowing what to take into the exam room
In 2025, more than 2,200 students received sanctions for bringing mobile phones or other unauthorised devices into to exam room. This includes electronic devices, written notes and other unpermitted material. Students must only have access to the materials stated on the front of the exam paper, the stationery list or the specification for that subject.
Students receive 0 marks for having a phone in the exam room, and can be disqualified if it is turned on.
Make sure your students know what they can and can’t take into the exam room. There are #NoShortcuts.
Please forward the advice from JCQ for written exams on to your students
Deadline approaching for mark submission for internally assessed and externally moderated work
Following our latest communication on 25 March about changes to mark submission for moderated work, we’ve now published additional, subject-specific guidance for summer 2026; this includes Art and Design, PE, Sport, Drama, Performing Arts and English. For centres with entries, see what these changes mean to your subject areas.
Read the subject-specific guidance for changes to mark submission for moderated work
Ofqual Blog - Talking to students about AI in coursework: why the conversation matters
Ofqual has published a new blog highlighting the importance of open, honest conversations with students about the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in coursework.
AI tools are now part of everyday life for many young people. But it’s important that students understand where the boundaries are. Using AI to generate coursework without proper disclosure is cheating, and the consequences can be serious - including the loss of a qualification.
The blog is designed to help you start those conversations with confidence. It includes:
- A ready‑to‑use lesson plan to support classroom discussion about AI and assessed work.
- A senior leadership team briefing pack to help schools and colleges develop a clear, whole‑school approach to AI in coursework.
Together, these resources can help ensure students are informed, supported and clear about expectations - before assessment pressures begin.
Summer 2026 question paper dispatch
You will already have started receiving exam materials, here’s an update on when you can expect to start receiving standard and modified question papers:
- MFL speaking materials: from 18 March onwards.
- Edexcel Award exams: from 20 April onwards.
- General qualification exams taking place from 5 May and up until 19 May: from 20 April onwards.
- General qualification exams taking place from 20 May and up until 8 June: from 11 May onwards.
- General qualification exams taking place from 9 June onwards: from 29 May onwards.
Exams Officers will be able to track your standard question paper dispatch for General Qualifications via Edexcel Online.
Please ensure that appropriate colleagues are aware that question papers will be arriving soon and what they need to do with them. Question papers need to be carefully checked to ensure that you have received what you were expecting and that all question paper packs are in good condition. You should report any issues relating to question papers as soon as possible.
Whilst most question paper deliveries marked for the attention of Exams Officers are made during normal centre hours, on rare occasions, a courier may attempt delivery when the main reception has closed, so papers cannot be stored securely. We encourage centres to inform staff to refuse these deliveries, and the papers will be redelivered.
The yellow label service will be in place for this summer series for centres in England to return scripts. Please read the yellow label service guidance for exams officers on the government website.
You can expect to start receiving attendance registers and labels from 23 April onwards.
We’ve made some important key changes to the Secure Download Service (SDS) that will significantly improve your experience when using this service for the forthcoming General Qualifications and BTEC Tech Award May/June 2026 exam series.
Please take a look at the information below for full details on the key changes and how they will make your use of the SDS service easier and smoother.
Accessing materials on SDS
If your centre needs to access audio files or electronic copies of question papers (e.g. for printing on coloured paper), you will benefit from the following key changes:
- Direct access to SDS via Edexcel Online - which means you will no longer need to follow the 2-email process
- Secure materials will be available to download for late entries - a service that was previously unavailable if entries were made within 7 days of the exam
- If your centre has more than one site - you will be able to access question papers for all subsites linked to your main centre number
- If your centre is on a dispatch block - you will now be able to self-serve and access materials via SDS
For detailed instructions on using SDS, please refer to our Support Article, available from the Edexcel Online homepage.
Who can access the materials
Please note that if your exam staff already have access to SDS, they do not need to request access again, however the same requirements for accessing SDS apply as previously.
Our recommendation is that a minimum of two members of staff have SDS included in their Edexcel Online profile.
If your exam staff do not already have SDS added to their Edexcel Online profile, your exams officer or your head of centre will need to contact us and we can add this permission. The quickest way to do this is on Edexcel live-chat.
Introducing Secure File Exchange for the May/June exam series
We’re introducing Secure File Exchange, a new platform that replaces our previous Secure File Transfer (SFT) system.
You’ll use Secure File Exchange during the May/June exam series to access exam papers we send to you electronically.
We’ve recently sent a communication about this new platform, but here’s a reminder.
Accessing Secure File Exchange
You’ll sign in using the same login details you use for Edexcel Online. Secure File Exchange uses the same multi-factor authentication, and you won’t experience account lockouts like you may have with the previous system.
Receiving and downloading exam papers
When we send a paper on an exam day, you’ll receive an email notification from noreply@notifications.pearson.com.
You can access the paper by:
- selecting the Download button in the email, or
- visiting sfx.pearson.com directly
You’ll then be able to view all live files we’ve sent to you.
Should you need any help, you can find step‑by‑step guidance in our knowledge base article.
Support and training for Exams Officers
Spring and summer: essential information
To help prepare you for the May/June exams, we've put together this essential information article containing important knowledge on upcoming key dates, events, assessments, and available resources.
Explore the essential information article
Maintaining question paper security is key to upholding the integrity of qualifications and ensuring exams are fair for all candidates.
Below are some reminders which we hope you’ll find useful:
- Ensure that your colleagues who work where question papers will be delivered are familiar with the process for receiving packages and informing the Exams Office staff.
- Check there is a JCQ Exam Materials Receipt Log Point of Delivery document and colleagues know how to complete this.
- Make sure colleagues know to report any issues relating to the security of question papers and packages to the awarding body immediately.
- Your Exams Office team know to complete the JCQ Exam Materials Receipt Log.
- Question paper packs are individually checked and placed in secure storage in date order.
- Any damaged or missing question paper packs are reported immediately.
We recently held an online session on exam admin and question paper security – you can access the recording via the Pearson Development Hub.
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.
Meet Vicky Wood - your Maths and Statistics Subject Advisor
Vicky is your go-to expert for all our UK maths and statistics qualifications. Vicky is here to support you with resources, training and updates that make a real difference in the classroom.
Each month, Vicky 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.
The Exam Aids for Summer 2026 are now available to download from the qualification web pages.
Higher Tier Exam Aid
There have been no changes to the content or format of these formulae sheets, which remain the same as in 2025.
Ofqual has recently confirmed proposals to continue providing GCSE Mathematics formulae sheets (and equations sheets for GCSE Physics and Combined Science) for the lifetime of the current specifications – covering exams up to 2030 or 2031, including resits and November maths series.
Spotlight on Revision and Exam Preparation
As you’re getting your students exam‑ready in these final weeks, take a look at our GCSE Maths Exam Key Messages and Information 2026 PowerPoints that are now available on the Maths Emporium and are ready to use in the classroom.
- Clear, student‑friendly messages based on what examiners actually saw in the 2025 exams.
- Practical advice to help students avoid common mistakes.
- A clear reminder of essential equipment and how to use it well.
- Guidance on formulae – what’s given, what isn’t, and how to make the most of it.
The slides are designed to support focused revision conversations and help students feel more confident about what really matters in the exam hall.
Foundation Tier PowerPoint
Higher Tier PowerPoint
Read Vicky’s April Subject Advisor update
New GCSE and A level Art and Design exemplars
New GCSE Art and Design and A level Art and Design exemplars have been added to each Exemplar Gallery to help teachers with internal assessment and standardisation as they prepare for moderation.
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.
Pearson School and College Report 2026: it’s almost ready
Five years on from the first edition, the Pearson School and College Report 2026 reflects on the 50,000+ voices from schools, colleges and the wider education community that have made up the series, to create one big picture of learning today and where it could go next.
Inspired by the perspectives of educators, students and changemakers across the nation, we’ll soon be sharing our biggest report yet.
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.