In short
In the summer 2025 series, the last GCSE exams were scheduled for mid-to-late June, depending on the exam board: Wednesday 18 June for OCR, Eduqas and WJEC, Thursday 19 June for AQA and Edexcel/Pearson, and Monday 23 June for CCEA. All students also had to remain available until the contingency day, Wednesday 25 June 2025.
Key takeaways
- OCR, Eduqas and WJEC GCSE exams finished on Wednesday 18 June 2025.
- AQA and Edexcel/Pearson finished on Thursday 19 June 2025, and CCEA on Monday 23 June.
- Wednesday 25 June 2025 was the contingency day, so every student had to stay available until then.
- Students taking subjects across several exam boards could finish on any of these dates.
- Your personal timetable from your school or exam centre gives the most accurate dates.
If you’re a student, parent or teacher planning the final stretch of the summer exam season, you’re probably asking the same question: when is the last GCSE exam in 2025?
For most students, the final paper in the summer 2025 exam series is scheduled towards the middle-end of June.
However, the exact date can vary depending on the exam board and the subjects you’re taking.
Here’s a breakdown:
- OCR: Wednesday, 18 June
- Eduqas: Wednesday, 18 June
- WJEC (Wales): Wednesday, 18 June
- AQA: Thursday, 19 June
- Edexcel/Pearson: Thursday, 19 June
- CCEA (Northern Ireland): Monday, 23 June
If you’re studying subjects across multiple boards (which is common) your final exam could fall on any of these days.
Always check your individual exam timetable from your school or exam centre.
Don’t forget the contingency day
All students must remain available until Wednesday 25 June 2025, even if you finish your exams way before then.
That’s because this is the official contingency day.
It is used if exams need to be rescheduled due to unexpected events like severe weather, transport strikes or other disruptions.
Even if your last scheduled exam is mid-June, you must be available to sit exams up to the 25th if needed.
Why the end date matters
Knowing when your last exam takes place is more than a matter of curiosity. It helps with:
- Planning revision You’ll want to map your study schedule to give the right focus to subjects closer to the end of the exam season
- Organising celebrations or holidays Many students plan leavers’ events, trips, or family holidays around the final exam date
- Winding down properly Understanding when you’ll officially be done helps reduce stress and gives you a finish line to aim for
If you’re unsure about your last GCSE exam of 2025, always refer to your personal timetable provided by your school or exam centre. They’ll have the most accurate, board-specific information.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the GCSE contingency day?
The contingency day is an official date set aside in case exams need to be rescheduled because of unexpected events, such as severe weather, transport strikes or other disruption. In 2025 it was Wednesday 25 June. Every student had to remain available to sit exams until then, even if their last scheduled exam was earlier in June.
Why does the last GCSE exam date depend on the exam board?
Each exam board sets its own timetable, so final papers fall on different days. In summer 2025, OCR, Eduqas and WJEC finished on 18 June, AQA and Edexcel/Pearson on 19 June, and CCEA in Northern Ireland on 23 June. Many students take subjects across several boards, so their final exam could fall on any of these dates.
Why is it useful to know when the last GCSE exam is?
Knowing the end date helps you plan revision so subjects closer to the end of the exam season get the right focus. It also helps families organise leavers’ events, trips and holidays around the final exam. And having a clear finish line can reduce stress, because students know exactly when they will officially be done and can wind down properly.
Where can I find my exact GCSE exam dates?
Always check the personal exam timetable provided by your school or exam centre. It has the most accurate, board-specific information for the subjects you are taking. This matters because students often sit papers set by different exam boards, each with its own timetable, and you also need to allow for the contingency day at the end of the exam series.
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