O Level Exam Dates 2024

When do O Level exams 2024 start?

O Level exams in 2024 start on Tuesday, 30 April and finish on Thursday, 13 June.

These are the latest exam dates established by each O Level exam board. However, please note that these dates may be subject to change as the exam period approaches. Consequently, students should utilise these dates as a general reference. 

Keep in mind that non-exam assessments, including modern foreign language speaking tests and practical science experiments, might be scheduled prior to this period, as individual schools determine these dates.

When are the O Level Maths exams in 2024?

O Level Maths exam dates 2024

When are the O Level Additional Maths exams in 2024?

O Level Additional Maths exam dates 2024

When are the O Level Biology exams in 2024?

O Level Biology exam dates 2024

When are the O Level Chemistry exams in 2024?

O Level Chemistry exam dates 2024

When are the O Level Physics exams in 2024?

O Level Physics exam dates 2024

Exam Board Timetables

When are the Cambridge O Level exams 2024?

View the Cambridge O Level exam timetable 2024 to find out the dates of all of your Cambridge exams.

Important things to remember

Now that you know when your exams are scheduled to occur, below are some things you need to consider before, during and after your examination.

Before the Examination

If you’re faced with a lot of exams in a row, don’t feel tempted to prioritise last-night studying at the expense of your sleep, as this could be massively detrimental to your exam grades. Studies show that students who experience sleep deprivation have greater difficulty retaining information compared to those who get a restful night’s sleep. Furthermore, research shows that students who made it a priority to get at least eight hours of sleep each night during the examination period outperform their peers who didn’t prioritise sleep. Adequate sleep will enhance your attention and alertness during the exam, so make sure you prioritise this.

It's crucial that you are aware of the dates of your exams and that you are ready and able to take your exam at the scheduled time. Misreading your timetable or arriving late to an examination is not normally considered an appropriate reason for an allowance. Plus remember, some invigilators might only admit you up to 30 minutes after the start time of the exam, so make sure you arrive on time!

During the Examination

After all your hard work and study, exam day is when you have the opportunity to show what you have learnt. It’s important to make sure you understand what will happen on the day, so that you can perform as well as you possibly can. Try to remain calm and focused and ensure you read the examination instructions and questions carefully. Stay focused and positive and try to use your time wisely. Remember, examiners just want to see you demonstrating your knowledge and skills.

Make sure you write your name, candidate number, centre name and number on every exam paper you write on. Ask the invigilator if you do not know this information. Plus make sure the appropriate information is given to you if you have an access arrangements, such as needing extra time to complete your exam.

In case of illness, you are responsible for identifying if you are well enough to take an exam. If you become unwell during the exam, you should alert the invigilator in the exam room who will be able to take the appropriate action. If you are not well enough to attend the exam venue and start the exam, you should inform your school immediately.

After the Examination

Make sure you wait until the invigilator gives you permission to leave the exam room. Do not leave the exam with any exam materials as this is considered malpractice and could impact the security of the exam and could mean you may not receive a grade.

Remember, do not share anything about the content of your exam on social media as this is also considered malpractice. 

O Level Exams FAQs

What happens if you miss an O Level exam?

If you miss your O Level exam, you may be awarded special consideration. Special consideration is a post-exam adjustment that exam boards make to a student's mark to make allowances for some adverse circumstances, for example illness, bereavement, temporary injury or disruption to an exam.

There are different types of special consideration such as: present but disadvantaged students; absent candidates or coursework-related special consideration. If you are absent from an eligible component for an acceptable reason, the exam board may calculate and award an assessed mark for the missing component.

What should I do on the day of the O Level exam?

On the day of the exam you must:

• Be on time for all exams.

• Follow the instructions of the invigilator.

• Leave all used and unused exam materials in the exam room.

You must not:

• Have any unauthorised materials in your possession.

• Talk to, attempt to communicate with, or disturb other candidates once you have entered the exam room.

• Be involved in any unfair or dishonest practice before, during or after the exam.

What should I do at the end of the O Level exam?

Stop writing immediately when the invigilator tells you to do so. Give all papers to the invigilator, including question papers, answer sheets, notes, etc. You should also stay in your seat until the invigilator tells you to leave the room. If you have any questions or problems, tell the invigilator immediately.

What happens if I arrive late to the O Level exam?

If you arrive late for an exam, this is known as a late arrival. Although your school may allow you to sit the exam, whether the exam board will accept your examination paper for marking will depend on a number of things, including the reason why you were late. Generally, acceptable reasons for a late arrival include:

• Sudden illness before the exam.

• An accident on the way to the exam.

• Transport difficulties out of the candidate’s control (such as a traffic jam, the school bus being late or breaking down).

Unacceptable reasons for a late arrival include oversleeping and misreading your timetable.

What are access arrangements for the O Level exam?

Access arrangements are pre-exam arrangements that minimise access barriers for students with special educational needs, disabilities or temporary injuries/illnesses. Access arrangements can enable students with specific needs to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and understanding without changing the demands of the assessment.

More O Level Exam resources

• Memory Techniques For More Effective Revision

• Learning Styles

• CIE O Level Past Papers