Private Candidates are students who have not studied with the exam centre that makes their entry. Included in this group are, for example:
- school age students who have been home educated,
- adults who have studied independently,
- students who have studied with a distance learning provider which does not offer exam entry,
- students at a school or college who have studied an additional subject outside of the school or college; and
- students returning to their former centre to resit a qualification.
Past papers for private candidates
You can find a range of past papers for our GCSE, AS and A levels on the qualification pages of our website.
Some past papers continue to be available to teachers only, in line with usual practices. Private candidates who have been entered for an exam series and require access to locked exam materials to support their exam preparation, may request access.
We recommend that you first discuss this with the centre that has accepted your entry. Where this is not possible, you may request the materials by following the instructions below.
You can find a range of past papers for our International GCSE and International A levels qualifications on the qualification pages of our website.
Some past papers continue to be available to teachers only, in line with usual practices. Private candidates who have been entered for an exam series and require access to locked exam materials to support their exam preparation, may request access.
We recommend that you first discuss this with the centre that has accepted your entry. Where this is not possible, you may request the materials by following the instructions below.
Private candidates who have made an entry for an international qualification with the British Council should contact the British Council to request access to locked exam materials.
Please download and complete the relevant past paper request form and attach this to a case using our customer portal.
To create the case, you will need to complete the details as shown below, selecting the relevant qualification and subject from the drop-down lists:
Once complete, select 'Next' and provide your personal details, then select 'Next' again.
You should then select the option to 'Send us a message' and upload your form when prompted.
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