How Long Do GCSE Exams Last?: Full List

Your GCSE exams are an important milestone in your education and can feel like they go on forever. One of the key questions for many students like you is How long do GCSE exams last? There is no single straightforward answer, but this article provides an overview of typical GCSE exam durations and other associated factors that you might need to consider. 

How Long Is The GCSE Exam Period?

The GCSE summer exam period is usually around four to six weeks long. It begins in early May, continuing until mid-to-late June. The exact length varies from year to year, and depending on which exam boards you are studying.

Exam boards aim to distribute core exam subjects, such as English, Maths and Science, evenly throughout the exam period to make it easier for students to manage the workload. Subjects with multiple papers will also appear earlier in the schedule to allow enough time for subsequent papers without them being too close together.

It is worth noting that the half-term break falls in the middle of the summer exam season. This will give you a chance to revise at a more leisurely pace or take a break to recharge ready for the last few weeks of the exam season.

How Long Do GCSE Exams Last On Average?

The average time for GCSE exams ranges from around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours per paper, depending on the subject. Some subjects, such as Science or Maths, will have multiple papers, whilst others may have a longer practical based assessment, such as Art.

Some students may be eligible for extra time in exams, which is typically given as 25% more than the allocated time for the paper. If you are eligible for rest breaks, then these will be taken as extra time on top of the time allocation.

How Long Do GCSE Biology Exams Last

GCSE science exams are fairly consistent in their length. The table below gives the duration of Biology exam times across four key exam boards.

How Long Do GCSE Business Exams Last?

The table below gives the duration of Business exam times across some key exam boards.

How Long Do GCSE Chemistry Exams Last?

GCSE science exams are fairly consistent in their length. The table below gives the duration of Chemistry exam times across four key exam boards.

How Long Do GCSE Computer Science Exams Last?

The table below gives the duration of Computer Science exam times across some key exam boards.

How Long Do GCSE English Language Exams Last?

The table below gives the duration of English Language exam times across some key exam boards.

How Long Do GCSE English Literature Exams Last?

The table below gives the duration of English Literature exam times across some key exam boards.

How Long Do GCSE Geography Exams Last?

The table below gives the duration of Geography exam times across some key exam boards.

How Long Do GCSE History Exams Last?

The table below gives the duration of History exam times across some key exam boards.

How Long Do GCSE Maths Exams Last?

The table below gives the duration of Mathematics exam times across some key exam boards.

How Long Do GCSE Physics Exams Last?

GCSE science exams are fairly consistent in their length. The table below gives the duration of Biology exam times across four key exam boards.

How Long Do GCSE Religious Studies Exams Last?

The table below gives the duration of Religious Studies exam times across some key exam boards.

Time Management Strategies for GCSE Exams

Time management during your GCSE exams will be important to ensure that you can effectively and thoroughly complete the exam paper with minimal stress. There are many ways in which you can set yourself up to manage your time effectively in an exam scenario.

• Practice using past papers to familiarise you with what is expected in the exam for each subject. The structure of the papers will vary across subjects and exam boards.

• Sit some practice papers under timed conditions to experience the pressure that you will be under on the day.

• Take your time when reading the questions to ensure that you do not miss any key bits of information.

• Scan over the paper initially to get an overview of what is coming up, this may help you to prioritise any areas which you know will need more time.

• Allocate a time per question based on the number of marks it is worth. You should be familiar with how each exam board expect that you divide your time across the questions you will be answering, it is important to stick within these time guidelines so as to ensure you answer all questions thoroughly but don't run short of time at the end.

• Write a plan for longer answers or essays, focusing on the structure and brief notes of key content that you want to include.

• Use highlighters to emphasize important information in the question stem, this will make it quicker to extract the information when you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Get Extra Time in My GCSE Exams?

You may be eligible for extra time in your GCSE exams if you have specific needs that could impact your performance. Extra time is generally provided to support students with disabilities, learning difficulties, or medical conditions that affect their ability to complete exams within the standard time limits.

Your school is responsible for conducting an official assessment to determine eligibility for extra time. To begin this process, reach out to your school’s SEN (Special Educational Needs) coordinator or exams officer. The assessment typically includes evidence from your classroom experience and may require medical documentation, especially if you have a physical or mental health condition.

If a specific need is identified, an appropriate adjustment will be recommended to help you perform to your best ability. In most cases, students receive an additional 25% of exam time; however, the exact amount may vary based on individual requirements.

What Is The Longest GCSE Exam?

The Art and Design GCSE is unique because its main component is a 10-hour timed practical exam conducted over two days. Students are given a preparatory period before the extended exam period starts. Students should aim to complete their final piece for assessment during the 10 hours, making it one of the longest single exams in terms of dedicated exam time.

What Happens If I Run Out of Time?

Running out of time can be frustrating, but by attempting to complete as many questions as possible with concise answers that showcase your knowledge and understanding, you may still achieve the grades you were hoping for. It is important to prepare for your exams by practicing under timed conditions to replicate the exam experience and minimise the likelihood that you will run out of time in the real exam.

Ace Your GCSEs with Save My Exams

Save My Exams is a valuable resource that you can use to develop your subject knowledge, guide your revision and consolidate your learning at GCSE. 

Use our comprehensive, exam board-specific GCSE revision notes to ensure you are familiar with the requirements of your specification and complete GCSE exam questions to check your knowledge, understanding and application skill within your chosen subject. 

Explore Our GCSE Revision Resources

References

AQA GCSE Examinations  

Edexcel GCSE Examinations

OCR GCSE Examinations

WJEC GCSE Examinations