GCSE 2027 Exam Dates
GCSE exam season feels much easier to handle when the dates are laid out clearly. Once the timetable is in one place, revision stops feeling like a vague mountain of work and starts becoming a plan.
Below is a clear guide to the GCSE exam dates 2027 for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, Maths, History, Geography, Religious Studies and Computer Science, followed by practical revision tips for the subjects many students find most demanding.
Always check your final school timetable too, as rooming, arrival times and access arrangements are set by your school or exam centre.
GCSE 2027 exam dates by subject
The main exam period runs from Monday 10 May to Friday 18 June, with Wednesday 23 June reserved as the contingency day. Some subjects have two papers, while others have three spread across several weeks.
Subject | Paper | Date and session |
Biology | Paper 1 | 11 May AM |
Biology | Paper 2 | 10 June AM |
Chemistry | Paper 1 | 17 May AM |
Chemistry | Paper 2 | 15 June AM |
Physics | Paper 1 | 25 May AM |
Physics | Paper 2 | 18 June AM |
English Language | Paper 1 | 24 May AM |
English Language | Paper 2 | 8 June AM |
English Literature | Paper 1 | 12 May AM |
English Literature | Paper 2 | 19 May AM |
History | Paper 1 | 20 May AM |
History | Paper 2 | 28 May AM |
History | Paper 3 | 9 June PM |
Mathematics | Paper 1 | 14 May AM |
Mathematics | Paper 2 | 27 May AM |
Mathematics | Paper 3 | 14 June AM |
Geography | Paper 1 | 18 May AM |
Geography | Paper 2 | 26 May PM |
Geography | Paper 3 | 10 June PM |
Religious Studies | Paper 1 | 13 May AM |
Religious Studies | Paper 2 | 21 May AM |
Religious Studies | Paper 3 | 7 June AM |
Computer Science | Paper 1 | 10 May AM |
Computer Science | Paper 2 | 19 May PM |
A few dates are especially close together. For example, English Literature Paper 1 is on 12 May, Religious Studies Paper 1 is on 13 May, and Maths Paper 1 is on 14 May. Later in the season, Geography Paper 3 and Biology Paper 2 both fall on 10 June, with one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
That means the best revision plan will not treat every subject equally every week. Some subjects need earlier work because their papers arrive quickly. Others need staying sharp into mid-June.
How to use the 2027 timetable wisely
A timetable is not just a list of dates. It shows where pressure will build.
Start by splitting revision into three stages.
Now to January/February
This is the time to rebuild knowledge. Focus on topics that feel shaky, not just topics that feel comfortable. Use class notes, revision guides, exercise books and past-style questions from school.
January/February to the first exam
This is the time for exam practice. Start writing answers under timed conditions, giving yourself a little less than the allocated amount. Mark work carefully. Keep a list of errors that repeat, such as missed units in equations or vague explanations in English paragraphs.
During the exam season
This is the time for short, focused revision. The aim is not to relearn whole subjects the night before. It is to refresh key facts, practise common question types and sleep properly.
A useful weekly plan includes:
Two or three high-priority subjects
One shorter review session for a subject that feels secure
Practice questions, not just rereading
A short review of mistakes at the end of each week
Rest time, especially before morning exams
Try not to revise only in the order the exams appear. Some later exams, such as Chemistry Paper 2 and Physics Paper 2, still need regular attention before June.
Revision tips for Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Science can feel content-heavy because there are so many terms, required practicals, equations and application questions. The trick is to revise knowledge and exam skills together.
Biology
Biology Paper 1 is on 11 May AM, so it arrives very early in the exam season. Biology Paper 2 is on 10 June AM, which gives more time later, but leaving Paper 2 until June would make the final weeks stressful.
For Biology, focus on:
Key processes, such as photosynthesis, respiration and digestion
Required practicals and how to describe methods
Command words, especially explain, compare and evaluate
Using precise scientific vocabulary
A strong Biology answer usually links cause and effect. For example, rather than writing “the plant grows more”, explain what changes in the plant and why.
A good revision method is the blank-page test. Choose a topic, such as infection and response, then write everything remembered on a blank sheet. After that, check notes and add missing facts in another colour.
Chemistry
Chemistry Paper 1 is on 17 May AM and Paper 2 is on 15 June AM. This gives a helpful gap between the two papers, but Paper 1 still needs early attention.
For Chemistry, spend time on:
Equations and balancing
Bonding and structure
Quantitative chemistry
Required practicals
Explaining trends and patterns
Chemistry becomes easier when working is shown clearly even if it includes a rough diagram. If a calculation has three marks, the final answer is rarely enough. Write the equation, substitute numbers, then give the answer with units.
Physics
Physics Paper 1 is on 25 May AM and Paper 2 is on 18 June AM, the final date in this list. Physics often rewards steady practice because formula use improves with repetition.
For Physics, practise:
Selecting the correct equation
Rearranging equations
Units and conversions
Graph questions
Describing practical methods clearly
Do not just memorise equations. Practise using them in mixed questions, where the right equation is not obvious straight away. That is closer to the real exam. Ideally, use past papers wherever possible as exam-style questions are never quite the same as the exam itself.
Revision tips for Maths and English
Maths and English are central subjects, and both need regular practice. They also test stamina. It is not enough to understand a method once. Success often comes from doing the right kind of practice again and again (and again!).
Mathematics
Maths Paper 1 is on 14 May AM, Paper 2 is on 27 May AM, and Paper 3 is on 14 June AM. The spread of dates means Maths cannot be treated as a one-week subject. Often topics can appear in any of the papers.
The best Maths revision is active. Watching someone solve a problem can help at first, but marks improve when problems are completed independently. You must attempt the answer and only then look it up on YouTube or TikTok - their methods may be different from yours.
Useful habits include:
Practising without notes, then checking the method
Keeping a mistake log
Repeating weak topics after a few days
Showing full working, even when the answer seems obvious
Mixing topics so revision feels like an exam
The mistake log is especially powerful. Divide a page into three columns: topic, mistake, correct method. If fractions, algebraic rearranging or circle theorems keep appearing, that tells you exactly what to practise next.
English Language
English Language Paper 1 is on 24 May AM and Paper 2 is on 8 June AM. This subject rewards good timing and clear structure.
For reading questions, avoid vague comments such as “this makes the reader want to read on.” Instead, name the method, quote briefly and explain the effect on the reader/audience in the context of the text.
For writing questions, plan before starting. A five-minute plan can prevent a messy answer. Decide:
The main idea
The opening sentence
Three or four key details
The ending
A few language techniques to use naturally
Accuracy matters too. Leave time to check full stops, commas, capital letters and paragraphing. You wouldn't want to slip up on something silly like a full stop!
English Literature
English Literature Paper 1 is on 12 May AM and Paper 2 is on 19 May AM, so both papers arrive early. Do not wait until the exam season to learn quotations.
Build revision around themes, characters and context. Short quotations are often easier to remember and use well than long ones. For each text, prepare a small bank of flexible quotations that can fit several questions.
A simple paragraph plan works well:
Make a clear point.
Use a short quotation.
Analyse one or two key words.
Link to the wider theme or character.
Add context if it genuinely helps the argument.
Revision tips for History, Geography, RS and Computer Science
These subjects are popular because they involve interesting ideas, real-world issues and clear debates. Geography, Religious Studies and Computer Science are not currently offered as tuition subjects through the lessons linked below, but they remain very popular with students and are worth planning for carefully.
History
History has three exam dates: 20 May AM, 28 May AM and 9 June PM. This spread can help, but only if the content is revised in stages.
Strong History revision means knowing the story of events and practising exam structure. Timelines are useful because they show cause and consequence clearly. For each topic, check that dates, people, events and outcomes are secure.
For longer questions, plan before writing. A clear answer usually has a focused argument, accurate evidence and a direct link back to the question.
Geography
Geography Paper 1 is on 18 May AM, Paper 2 is on 26 May PM, and Paper 3 is on 10 June PM. Geography mixes knowledge, case studies, map skills, data and evaluation.
Good Geography revision includes:
Learning case study facts accurately
Practising map and graph questions
Explaining processes step by step
Using key terms, such as erosion, migration, sustainability and development
Writing balanced evaluation answers
For case studies, avoid trying to memorise pages of notes. Create a one-page summary with location, causes, effects, responses and a few precise facts.
Religious Studies
Religious Studies Paper 1 is on 13 May AM, Paper 2 is on 21 May AM, and Paper 3 is on 7 June AM. RS answers need clear knowledge and thoughtful explanation.
For each topic, prepare:
Key beliefs
Specialist terms
Teachings or quotations
Contrasting viewpoints
Reasons people may agree or disagree
Longer RS answers often need evaluation. That means giving more than one viewpoint and making a supported judgement. Practise writing conclusions that actually answer the question, rather than simply repeating earlier points.
Computer Science
Computer Science Paper 1 is on 10 May AM, the first exam in this timetable, and Paper 2 is on 19 May PM. Early preparation matters here.
Computer Science revision should balance theory and problem-solving. For theory topics, flashcards can work well. For programming-style questions, practice is better than rereading.
Focus on:
Algorithms and trace tables
Logic and Boolean operators
Data representation
Networks and security
Writing clear pseudocode
Testing and correcting errors
When practising algorithms, trace each line carefully. Many marks come from showing a logical process, not just reaching an answer.
Get support before the timetable gets crowded
The busiest part of GCSE season comes quickly. May is packed with major subjects, and June still includes important second and third papers. Half term in the middle is misleading.
If Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths or English feels hard to manage alone, focused tuition can help build confidence, fill gaps and make revision more purposeful. You can find out about the available GCSE lesson support here.
Final thoughts on the GCSE 2027 exam season
The 2027 GCSE timetable has some busy clusters, especially in May. Computer Science starts early, English Literature comes quickly, Maths is spread across the season, and the sciences continue into June. Plus, this is unlikely to include all your subjects.
A clear plan makes a real difference. Put the dates somewhere visible, start with the earliest papers, keep practising exam questions and review mistakes often. Small, regular sessions now will feel much better than trying to rescue every subject at the last minute.
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