The IGCSE October/November 2026 exam sitting is the smaller of the two annual series — but for the students taking it, it matters just as much. It’s commonly used for retakes after the May/June 2026 series, private candidates, and students at schools that run a second sitting each year. Whether you’re a student preparing to sit exams or a parent supporting your child through this process, this complete guide covers everything you need to know.

Exam boards: Both Cambridge IGCSE and Pearson Edexcel International GCSE offer October/November exams, on separate timetables. Check with your school which board you use — each has different key dates. Our country-specific timetable articles cover both boards where relevant.

IGCSE October November 2026: Key Dates at a Glance

The Cambridge IGCSE October/November 2026 exam period runs from 28 September to 13 November 2026 (12 November in Zone 2). The Edexcel International GCSE series runs 27 October to 19 November 2026. Results are released in January 2027.

Critical Deadlines for October/November 2026

Deadline	Date
Cambridge final entries	16 August 2026
Edexcel entries	12 September 2026
Cambridge late entries / retakes	21 September 2026
Cambridge exam period	28 September – 13 November 2026
Edexcel exam period	27 October – 19 November 2026
Cambridge results (IGCSE/O Level)	14 January 2027
Edexcel results (students)	21 January 2027

Why This Sitting Matters

The October/November series has a smaller cohort than May/June, but it fills a specific and important role: it’s often the only chance to retake a subject without waiting a full year, and it’s the primary sitting for many private candidates and schools in regions where the academic year favours a Northern Hemisphere autumn exam. If you’re re-sitting after May/June 2026, or your school runs this as your main series, the preparation stakes are exactly the same as any other sitting.

Administrative Zones and Timetables

Cambridge International allocates schools to seven administrative zones based on geography and timezone. You must use the correct timetable for your zone — exam times differ between zones to maintain security.

• UAE, Middle East: typically Zone 3
• Singapore, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, most of Asia: typically Zone 5 or Zone 6
• Europe, UK: Zone 3 (UK has a separate timetable)
• USA: Zone 1
• Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru: typically Zone 2

Download the official October/November 2026 timetable for your zone from Cambridge International Timetables.

The One Thing This Series Has That May/June Doesn’t

Because this series runs late September to mid-November, it spans the end of Daylight Saving Time in the UK, Europe (25 October 2026) and the USA (1 November 2026). If your centre is in one of these regions, double-check your local exam time against the official post-changeover timetable — see our timezone guide for details.

What This Guide Covers

In this series of articles, we cover:

• Exam timetables for 40 countries, including UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Europe
• Registration deadlines and what happens if you miss them
• Results day — when and how results are released
• Timezones — including the mid-series clock change
• Finding IGCSE tutors in your region

Next Steps

Begin by confirming your exam centre’s administrative zone and downloading the correct timetable. Then work through our dedicated articles on registration and results. With the right planning and support, you can approach the IGCSE October/November 2026 exams with confidence — and if this sitting doesn’t work out, the next opportunity is May/June 2027.

Also studying towards A Level or IB Diploma? See our International A Level October/November 2026 guide and IB Diploma November 2026 guide.

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