How GCSE Resits Work: A Parent's Guide

If your child did not achieve the grade they needed in a GCSE, they can resit. There are two exam series each year — November and June — and the rules differ depending on the subject and whether the resit is taken in school or independently.

When can a pupil resit a GCSE?

Any GCSE can be resit at any age — there is no upper age limit. However, the number of available series each year varies by subject. The two main exam series in England are:

Series | Months | Subjects available
November | November | GCSE English Language and GCSE Maths only
Summer (main) | May–June | All GCSE subjects

The November series exists specifically because English Language and Mathematics are compulsory resit subjects for students who did not achieve grade 4 (a standard pass) by the end of Year 11. For all other GCSEs, the summer series is the only option.

Who is required to resit English and Maths?

Students who finish Year 11 with below a grade 4 in GCSE English Language or GCSE Mathematics are required by law to continue studying these subjects in post-16 education or training. This rule applies to:

Students staying in school sixth form

Students moving to a sixth-form college or further education college

Students doing an apprenticeship (where study of these subjects must be arranged)

The requirement continues until the student achieves a grade 4 or higher, or until age 18, whichever comes first. Many sixth forms and colleges integrate the resit into the timetable as a compulsory class alongside A-Levels or BTEC study.

What is the difference between a November and June resit?

The November series is a fast turnaround — results are published in January. It is intended primarily for students who narrowly missed grade 4 and want to retake quickly. The June series allows more preparation time and covers all subjects.

Factor | November series | June series
When results arrive | January | Late August
Subjects available | English Language + Maths only | All GCSEs
Who typically uses it | Year 12 students (16–17) who missed grade 4 | Students of any age resitting any GCSE
Timing impact on A-Levels | Results land mid-Year 12 | Results arrive with A-Level results

If the November result is not good enough, the student can resit again in June of the same academic year. There is no limit on the number of resit attempts.

Can a student resit a GCSE while doing A-Levels?

Yes — and this is common. Many schools and colleges allow students to resit English Language or Maths in Year 12 alongside their A-Level subjects. For other GCSEs, students can also self-enter for the summer series while in sixth form.

However, resitting multiple subjects during Year 12 or 13 can add significant pressure, particularly in the lead-up to A-Level exams in May and June. It is worth discussing workload carefully with the school before entering for several resits at once.

What happens if a student resits independently?

Students can enter GCSE resits as private candidates through an exam centre that accepts private entries. Most further education colleges will register private candidates; some schools also allow external entries for a fee. The student sits the same exam papers as those entered through schools. The exam board, syllabus and grade boundaries are identical.

Costs for private candidates vary but typically run to £50–£150 per subject, depending on the centre and exam board. The student is responsible for their own preparation unless they arrange private tuition.

How should families plan a GCSE resit?

A good resit plan involves more than simply booking the exam. The steps that tend to produce better results:

Identify the gap — obtain a copy of the mark scheme and examiner's report for the original sitting. Ofqual publishes these on its website. Understanding exactly which questions were dropped is more useful than generic revision.

Choose the right series — November for English Language/Maths if the student missed by a small margin; June for other subjects or if more preparation time is needed.

Set a realistic target — going from a grade 3 to a grade 5 in three months is ambitious. Grade 4 (standard pass) is the functional goal for most post-16 pathways; grade 5 (strong pass) matters for certain sixth-form and university courses.

Confirm the entry deadline — November entries typically close in mid-September; June entries close in February or March. Check with the exam centre.

Frequently asked questions

Does a GCSE resit grade replace the original grade?

On the GCSE certificate the highest grade achieved across all sittings is the one that counts for university applications and most employer checks. UCAS and employers typically see only the highest grade. However, some sixth forms and universities ask applicants to declare all attempts, so it is always worth checking individual institution policies.

Can a student resit a GCSE in Year 10 or 11 before they have finished the course?

Taking a GCSE before the end of Year 11 (early entry) is allowed but has become much less common since 2012, when rule changes meant only the first sitting counted for school performance tables. Most schools no longer enter pupils early. Resitting is generally a post-Year-11 activity.

Is the November GCSE easier than the June one?

No — the same exam boards set both series to the same standard, and Ofqual regulates grade boundaries to ensure they reflect the same level of achievement. Grade boundaries for a November paper may look numerically different from a June paper, but this reflects statistical adjustment for difficulty, not a lower bar. Ofqual publishes grade boundary data for every series.

What grade do universities require at GCSE?

Requirements vary by institution and course. Most Russell Group universities specify grade 5 or above in GCSE English Language and Mathematics as a baseline for degree programmes. Some competitive courses (Medicine, Law, Engineering) specify grade 6 or 7. For less competitive courses or post-2019 foundation years, grade 4 is often sufficient. Always check the specific entry requirements on the university's course page.

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