KS4 Exams and Revision

GCSE TRIAL EXAMs 

GCSE trial exams starts on Monday 9th February and end on Wednesday 4th March. 

View GCSE Exam timetable here

GCSE TRIAL EXAM STUDENT REVISION PLANNER

download gcse trial exam student revision planner

Watch video: using your exam revision planner

GCSE REVISION SESSIONS

Please see GCSE exam revision sessions available in lunchtime and after school below.

GCSE EXAM DATES

• First exam date: Friday 8th May 2026
• Last exam date: Wednesday 17th June 2026
• Contigency date: Wednesday 24th June 2026. Exam boards have set aside extra days in case exams need to be reschueled due to emergencies such as national disruptions or severe weather. These are known as contingency dates and are mandatory for all students to be available for.
• Non-exam assessments such as modern foreign language speaking tests and music coursework, may be set before this period as they are decided by each school.
• Results day: Thursday 20th August 2026

SUCCESS UNLOCKED: STUDENT  REVISION GUIDE

View success unlocked revision guide

core four revision technqiues

These videos are resources to improve your revision techniques.

see core four revision techniques here

  Subject Revision Resources 

• Maths
• History
• Science
• Computer Science
• Languages
• Sports Studies

There are lots of online resource that can help you revise. The videos and activities may help you embed knowledge on the topics you find tricky.

Exam Rules 

There are a number of rules and regulations that you must follow when sitting your exams. It is your responsibility to ensure that you know and follow all of these rules. 

Failure to follow the guidelines either intentionally or unintentionally is called ‘malpractice’. Any alleged, suspected or actual incidents of malpractice will be investigated and reported to the relevant awarding bodies. This could lead to your disqualification from an exam or subject. 

• JCQ - Information for Candidates - Written Examinations

• JCQ - Information for Candidates - Non-Examination Assessments

Watch the below video for a summary of these rules. 

JCQ (Joint Council For qualifications) exam guidelines for candidates.

For further guidance please refer to the JCQ candidate handbook and the additional documents here. (Click to open)

Additional FAQs

What should you wear to your exams?

You are expected to wear full school uniform for all examinations. In the exam you cannot put clothing on the back of the chair, so you may decide to leave your blazer with your belongings to ensure your comfort during the exam.

What items are prohibited (not allowed) in the exam room?

The following items are prohibited and should not be bought into the exam room:

• Mobile phones
• Any smart device that can connect to the internet
• Wristwatches (of any kind)
• Items to fidget with unless approved by the SENCo 
• Food/chewing gum
• Tipp-Ex/correction pens

What calculators can I use?

We recommend that students use the Casio FX83GT CW Calculator to ensure that it meets JCQ requirements. If you have a different calculator please check if it is exam compliant with your teacher.  Some examinations explicitly ban the use of a calculator. If you have one in your possession during one of these exams it will be classes as unauthorised material - that is malpractice.

What to do if you are unwell on the day of your exam

If you are unwell on the day of an exam, the examinations officer must be informed as soon as possible. Either by email exams@ivanhoe.co.uk or by phone the office (01530 412756).

Make an appointment at the GP and bring the medical note in for the examinations officer to make an application for special consideration.
If a candidate is unwell but manages to attend the exam, inform the examinations officer and provisions will be made to accommodate the candidate suitably and allow rest breaks etc. If there is a need to apply for access arrangements this can be done as an emergency. The exams officer will apply for special consideration once evidence from a doctor is brought into school to support the special consideration application.
Exams can only be sat on the designated date, despite any personal circumstances or illnesses. This is prescribed by JCQ.

Exam Stress Support

If you are struggling with anxiety please speak to your parents, your teachers or our pastoral team.

If you are stressing about exams you may also find this guide useful:

Coping with Exam Pressure - Student Guide