A-Level and GCSE exams will be delayed in 2021 - here are the new dates

Next summer’s A-Levels and GCSE exams will go ahead in England, but their start date will be pushed back by about three weeks, it has been announced.

The exams will feature slightly reduced content and will now start from 7 June 2021, rather than mid-May, in an attempt to make up for lost teaching time.

Three week delay

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announced that the 2021 exam programme will go ahead, with pupils being given more time to prepare after months away from the classroom following school closures.

Summer exams will start on 7 June and end on 2 July 2021 for almost all AS/A-Level and GCSE students. A-Level students will get their results on 24 August, and GCSE students on 27 August, allowing them to start the next academic year as normal.

Under the current plans, one maths and one English GCSE exam will be held before the May half-term to allow Year 11 pupils affected by the virus more chances to get their qualifications in the core subjects.

Announcing the plans, the Education Secretary said, “Fairness to pupils is my priority, and will continue to be at the forefront of every decision we take in the lead up to exams next summer.

“Exams are the fairest way of judging a student’s performance so they will go ahead, underpinned by contingency measures developed in partnership with the sector.

“Students have experienced considerable disruption and it’s right we give them, and their teachers, the certainty that exams will go ahead and more time to prepare."