The International A Level October/November 2026 exam sitting is the smaller of the two annual series — but it’s often the one that matters most for students retaking a subject, completing an A2 after AS, or timing results against a university deadline. 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.

Two boards, two calendars. Both Cambridge International A Level and Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level (IAL) run October/November series — but on genuinely different dates, with different deadlines and different results days. Don’t assume they match; check which board your school uses.

Key Dates at a Glance

Board	Exam period	Final entries	Results
Cambridge International A Level	28 September – 13 November 2026	16 August 2026 (late: 21 Sept)	7 January 2027
Pearson Edexcel IAL	Starts 8 October 2026 (end date unconfirmed publicly)	28 August 2026	20–21 January 2027

Why This Sitting Matters

The October/November series has a smaller cohort than May/June, but it fills a specific role: it’s often the only chance to retake a subject or complete an A2 without waiting a full year, and results in January can matter directly for conditional university offers. If you’re re-sitting after May/June 2026, or your school runs this as a primary series, the preparation stakes are the same as any other sitting.

Administrative Zones (Cambridge)

Cambridge International allocates schools to seven administrative zones, the same system used for IGCSE at the same centre:

• 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. Edexcel IAL does not use this zone system — check directly with your school for your Edexcel timetable.

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

The Cambridge series spans the end of Daylight Saving Time in the UK, Europe (25 October 2026) and the USA (1 November 2026). See our timezone guide for details.

What This Guide Covers

• Exam timetables for 40 countries, covering both Cambridge and Edexcel where relevant
• Registration deadlines and what happens if you miss them
• Results day — when and how results are released for each board
• Timezones — including the mid-series clock change

Next Steps

Confirm which board you’re sitting, then confirm your exam centre’s administrative zone (Cambridge) or timetable (Edexcel). With the right planning and support, you can approach the International A Level October/November 2026 exams with confidence — and if this sitting doesn’t work out, the next opportunity is May/June 2027.

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

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