The Cambridge IGCSE May/June 2026 examination series is underway. This guide covers everything students and parents need to know — from what the exams look like to how grades are awarded and where to find last-minute resources.

When Are the IGCSE May/June 2026 Exams?

Cambridge IGCSE May/June 2026 exams run from late April through early June 2026. The exact timetable for each subject and paper is published by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) and available on the Cambridge website.

Students should confirm their personal timetable through their school’s examinations officer — paper codes and sitting times vary by centre.

How Are IGCSE Papers Structured?

Most Cambridge IGCSE subjects have multiple papers:

Sciences (Biology 0610, Chemistry 0620, Physics 0625):

• Paper 1: Multiple choice (40 marks, 45 min)
• Paper 2/3: Structured questions (80 marks, 1h 15min – Core/Extended)
• Paper 4/5: Practical or Alternative to Practical

Mathematics (0580):

• Paper 1/3: Non-calculator (Extended/Core)
• Paper 2/4: Calculator (Extended/Core)

English Language (0500):

• Paper 1: Reading and writing (2 hours)
• Paper 2: Directed writing and composition (2 hours)

Economics (0455):

• Paper 1: Multiple choice (30 marks)
• Paper 2: Structured questions (90 marks)

What Grade Boundaries Should I Aim For?

Cambridge uses grade boundaries that vary by exam series — the boundary for an A* in Biology this year may be different from last year’s. Grade boundaries are published after the exam.

To understand what raw marks typically correspond to each grade, use Tutopiya’s Grade Boundary Tracker — it shows historical boundaries so you can set realistic targets.

2026: Context and Changes

Gulf exam cancellations 2026. The May/June 2026 series was affected by exam cancellations in parts of the Gulf region (UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon). Cambridge issued guidance on Non-Examination Contingency Measures (NECMs) for affected students — grades in the Gulf are being awarded through portfolio and teacher assessment.

For students sitting exams as normal: the May/June 2026 paper structure and syllabus are unchanged from 2025. No major curriculum changes have been announced for the 2026 series.

How Are IGCSE Grades Awarded?

Cambridge IGCSE uses an A*–G grading scale (A*–E for achievement; U for ungraded). Each grade corresponds to a range of raw marks determined by an examination board after the exam.

Key points:

• No fixed percentage — grade boundaries are set after marking, based on the difficulty of that specific paper
• Examiner standardisation — all papers are marked to the same mark scheme
• Predicted grades — if you have exams cancelled (as in the Gulf), Cambridge uses teacher-assessed grades calibrated to past performance

Last-Minute Resources for May/June 2026

Revision Priority Planner — rank your topics by weakness and days remaining. Essential if you have multiple exams coming up.

Mark Scheme Decoder — learn exactly what Cambridge examiners want for every question type in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and English Language.

Exam Countdown Timer — add your exam dates and see a live countdown for each subject.

Vocabulary Quiz — test your key term knowledge in 10-question rounds.

Tutopiya Resources Portal — the world’s largest IGCSE resource bank with AI-powered study assistance. Large free section available.

Getting Results: Results Day 2026

Cambridge IGCSE results for the May/June 2026 series will typically be released in August 2026. Exact dates will be confirmed by Cambridge — students receive results through their schools.

If you’re unhappy with your results, options include:

• Enquiry About Results (EAR) — requesting a re-mark
• Retaking in the October/November 2026 series (available for many subjects)
• Speaking with your school about progression options

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