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Exam season starts next week: the final-week plan

One week before the first GCSE and A-level papers. The dates that matter, a simple plan for the last seven days and an exam-day checklist.

Written by the Brainhub Editorial Team Cites published research Updated 31 Oct 2026 5 min read

Key takeaways

1. Why this week

The first GCSE and A-level papers are on Monday 10 May 2027, a week from the start of this week. Every exam board in England, Wales and Northern Ireland works to one common timetable, so the season starts on the same day for everyone.[1]

With a week to go, there is still time to make a real difference. The aim now is not to learn everything again, but to stay steady, practise in exam conditions and arrive rested.

2. Exam season in four dates

These dates come from the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), which sets the common timetable. Your child’s own timetable from school shows which papers they sit and when.[1]

Date (2027)
What happens
Monday 10 May
First GCSE and A-level papers
Friday 18 June
Last GCSE paper
Tuesday 22 June
Last A-level paper
Wednesday 23 June
Contingency day, used only if exams are disrupted

Keep 23 June free: If a paper has to move because of national or serious local disruption, it moves to the contingency day. Avoid booking holidays or trips until after it.

3. The final-week plan

The NHS advice for students preparing for exams is practical and easy to follow this week.[2]

Short chunks

Break work into manageable pieces. Aim for a few hours of revision a day, and mix subjects.

Past papers

Practise under the real time limit, so the layout and question types feel familiar.

Short breaks

Take regular short breaks, before tiredness sets in and concentration slips.

Move

A walk or a stretch helps with stress, mood and sleep.

4. On exam day

Eat a good breakfast and arrive in plenty of time. Pack pens, pencils, a calculator if it is allowed, water and tissues the night before.[2]

If nerves rise, the NHS suggests a simple breathing exercise: breathe in through the nose for 4 counts, hold for 2, and breathe out for 7. Repeat until calmer.[2]

Read the instructions and questions first, and plan how long each question needs. If a question is hard, leave it and come back. When the paper is over, move on to the next one rather than comparing answers.[2]

One week. One calm plan.

5. How you can help at home

Put the exam timetable somewhere everyone can see it, and plan meals and lifts around it. Keep evenings calm and bedtimes steady. Talking helps too: the NHS suggests talking to someone you trust, whether that is family, a teacher or a friend.[2]

Steady support through the season: Our qualified teachers help students practise exam questions and plan their time, so each paper feels familiar. Online or in person. Book a free call.

Try it now

Test yourself on this page

Answer in your head first, then check.

  1. 1. When do the summer 2027 GCSE and A-level exams start?

  2. 2. What is the contingency day for 2027?

  3. 3. What breathing pattern does the NHS suggest?

Your next steps

  • Put the exam timetable on the fridge.
  • Do one past paper this week in the real time limit.
  • Pack the exam kit the night before the first paper.

Sources

  1. JCQ. Key dates in the examination cycle, June 2027 (final). jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Key_Dates_June2027_FINAL.pdf
  2. NHS. Tips on preparing for exams (page last reviewed 24 October 2023). nhs.uk/mental-health/children-and-young-adults/help-for-teenagers-young-adults-and-students/tips-on-preparing-for-exams

This guide is general study advice. Every student is different. A teacher can help you work out what fits.