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.
Frequently asked questions for private candidates
The JCQ provide a list to help private candidates locate their nearest examination centre in the UK. You can find more information at the link below.
In order to find a Pearson centre outside the UK where you can sit an exam, please select the link below and complete the search fields to find details of Pearson-approved centres.
If you're unhappy with your results or think your assessment has been marked incorrectly, there are several options available to you. See our post-results services page to see what services we offer.
Please note: it is not possible for a paper to be remarked. Instead, post-results services can review the marking of a paper. During a review of marking a senior examiner will check your paper against the mark scheme, ensuring everything you have written has been marked accurately.
Private candidates, who wish to request post-results services, can request this from the centre where you sat your examination. Alternatively, you can request post-results services directly through Pearson by contacting us using the link below.
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.
Please download and complete the relevant past paper request form and attach this to a case using our customer portal.
Past paper request form for UK Qualifications
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.
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.
Past paper request form for International Qualifications
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.
Access arrangements for private candidates
If you need access arrangements or reasonable adjustments for your examinations you should discuss this with your chosen exam centre when you ask them to make your entry. The JCQ has produced a guide to access arrangements for centres accepting private candidates which you might find helpful.
