1,000+ happy customers
Resits & Retakes for A-Levels and GCSE
Get a tutor to help you with your resit to ensure you get the score you want
Currently serving students in
your country!
Should you retake, and what are you retaking?
Most students arrive with the same three questions. The answers depend on how far off the grade you were, what the university needs, and how much time is left before the next series. A Learning Advisor will go through your result with you before anything is booked.
Resit one paper
You were close on the overall grade and one paper pulled the total down. The work is narrow and technique-led, and often a term of focused tutoring is enough.
- Best when you missed by a few marks
- Check whether your board allows a single-unit resit
- Core and extended tiers in several subjects
Retake the full subject
You were more than a grade off, or the gaps run across the whole course. All papers are sat again in the same series, and the plan runs over two or three terms.
- Best when the shortfall is content, not technique
- Your previous coursework may carry forward
- A*–G or 9–1, depending on your board
Appeal or remark first
If you were within a mark or two of the boundary, a review of marking may be quicker and cheaper than a resit. Deadlines are short, so this is decided in the days after results.
- Request the paper breakdown from your centre
- Appeals run through the centre, not the student
- [Confirm current JCQ deadlines before publishing]
Students entered for Core who are aiming at A-Level often need to move up a tier. Tell us at enquiry and we will build the plan around closing that gap.
The retake calendar
Resits are sat in fixed series, and entry deadlines close months before the paper. The sooner the plan is set, the more of the timetable you get to use.
Results and decisions
Results arrive and review-of-marking deadlines are short. Decide whether to request a remark, resit a paper or retake the subject. Cambridge November entries close in mid-August.
Plan and start
Your Learning Advisor reviews your result and matches a retake tutor. The first sessions are diagnostic, built around the paper you sat.
Autumn series
Cambridge and Edexcel International run October/November exams; UK boards have no November A-Level series.
January series and UK entries
Edexcel International and OxfordAQA run January exams. Entries for the UK boards' June series close in late February.
Main series
All boards examine in May/June. UK A-Level papers run from early May to mid-June, with results in mid-August.
How retake tutoring is different
You already know most of the content, so teaching it again in the same order wastes the time you have. We start with the paper you sat, find where the marks went, and spend the year there.
Gap analysis, not a fresh start
The first sessions are diagnostic: your paper breakdown and a set of past questions, to separate what you did not know from what you could not deliver under timing.
Built for students studying alone
Most retake students no longer have a class or a deadline. The tutor supplies that structure: work set and marked weekly, on a schedule that fits work or a gap year.
Fixing what went wrong on the day
For many students the content was never the problem. Timing, question choice and nerves are trained by sitting full papers to the official mark scheme until the pattern changes.
Sitting the exam as a private candidate
If you have left school, you enter the exam yourself through an approved centre rather than through a sixth form. It is straightforward, but the practical details catch people out, particularly in subjects with coursework or a practical endorsement.
What you need to arrange
Find an approved exam centre that accepts private candidates, and register before its entry deadline, which usually closes months before the exam. Check that the centre offers your exact exam board and specification, and confirm its fees, as each centre sets its own.
- A centre that ogfers your board and specification
- Your entry submitted before the centre's deadline
- Arrangements for any coursework or practical endorsement
Watch out for
Not every centre accepts private candidates for every subject. Coursework and practical endorsements catch out the most students, because a centre has to supervise and authenticate them. In some subjects you may be able to carry forward an earlier coursework mark or practical endorsement, so check with your exam board before you enter.
- Centres that don't take private candidates for your subject
- Coursework or practicals that need supervising
- Specification changes since you last sat the exam
How It Works
We keep things as simple as possible. Our objective is to make
finding a tutor convenient, efficient and effective.
Fill out an online form
Complete an application online which will be received by one of our dedicatedLearning Advisors
Get matched with a tutor
Our experienced Learning Advisor will review your application, and match youwith the most appropriate tutor based on your application
Tutor makes contact
Once we confirm with the tutor, the tutor will make contact to organise yourfirst session.
Have your first lesson
Our tutors will work around your schedule to organise a session whenever youwould like. Only pay for tutoring you have completed.
Choose between top performing students or qualified teachers
Either way, we use our bespoke matching process to find you a tutor based on your preferences, exam board and location.
Academic Tutors
from $60 USD/hr
Top performing graduates who achieved A*/A grades in the subject they teach.
- We accept only the top 5% of tutor applicants.
- Each tutor is chosen for their academic results, teaching ability, and connection with students.
Relatable role model: work with a tutor who is similar in age and can be a peer
Affordability: academic tutors are more cost-effective than professional tutors
First-hand experience: they sat these papers recently and know what worked
Professional Tutors
from $85 USD/hr
Current or past qualified teachers and examiners with 5+ years professional teaching experience.
- We only select highly experienced, qualified A-Level teachers.
- Every teacher is assessed on their teaching expertise, subject knowledge, and ability to engage students.
Quality assurance: trained and accredited teaching qualifications
Guaranteed track record: years of experience helping students succeed
Subject expertise: deep understanding of content and exam board requirements
Due to our international operations we quote our prices in USD. Pound amounts are an indicative conversion and you will be invoiced in USD.
Academic Tutors
from £47 GBP/hr
Top performing graduates who achieved A*/A grades in the subject they teach.
Relatable role model: work with a tutor who is similar in age and can be a peer
Affordability: academic tutors are more cost-effective than professional tutors
First-hand experience: they sat these papers recently and know what worked
Professional Tutors
from £67 GBP/hr
Current or past qualified teachers and examiners with 5+ years professional teaching experience.
Quality assurance: trained and accredited teaching qualifications
Guaranteed track record: years of experience helping students succeed
Subject expertise: deep understanding of content and exam board requirements
Meet our retake tutors
Our team is a combination of recent graduates who sat these exams themselves and qualified teachers with years of classroom and examining experience.

32
Özgür is completing his M.Sc. in Physics at Heidelberg University, Germany’s oldest university, with research in computational quantum physics. He holds a B.Sc. in Physics from Boğaziçi University, one of Turkey’s top universities, where he studied on a national merit scholarship and all teaching was in English.
He has tutored mathematics and physics since 2019, including GCSE and IGCSE students, and teaches A-Level Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics across all major exam boards, including AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Cambridge International. A-Level content such as calculus, mechanics, electricity and statistics is the basis of his own degrees and research, so he can explain not just how to solve a problem but why the method works.
He has written exam-style mathematics questions for Oxford University Press and created maths and physics learning material for online platforms, so he knows how good exam questions are built and how to prepare students for them. As a former university teaching assistant for Mathematical Methods in Physics, he knows where students tend to get stuck and how to get them past it. His research also gives him real strength in data analysis and uncertainties, a big help with A-Level Physics practical work.
Özgür’s lessons are clear, structured and patient. He finds the exact point where a student’s reasoning goes wrong, rebuilds the idea step by step, and builds the exam technique and confidence students need for top grades.

32
Curious by nature, engineer by training, teacher by heart.
Hi! I was born in Güines, a big village in Cuba, where I grew up surrounded by nature—probably why I still love being outside. I went to a high-tech secondary school, where I fell in love with Physics, Mathematics, science, and electronics. Later, I moved to Europe and got my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Electronic Engineering. Seven years in different European cities gave me a love for art, history, and museums, and friends from all over the world.
I worked first as an engineer in a biotechnology research center, and later taught IGCSE Math, Physics, and Science for over 10 years at an international school in Havana (ISH). I also tutored students in A-level Physics online. Tutoring and classroom teaching taught me what inclusiveness, active learning, differentiation, and inquiry really mean.
Now I'm retired from in-person teaching and living in Buenos Aires with my wife and my daughter's family. I'm excited to keep teaching and learning with you!

17
I am an accomplished educator, NERC/QUADRAT-funded PhD scientist, and Certified Senior Examiner specialising in Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Environmental Science/Management, and Earth Sciences across A-Level, IGCSE, and GCSE levels. I earned my PhD in Environmental Sciences with distinction, an MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation with a PGCE equivalent, and a BSc (Hons) in Geography and Bioscience supported by the Repsol Sinopec Excellence Scholarship from the University of Aberdeen. With over 15,000 hours of total instructional experience spanning top international schools, leading universities, and global online platforms, my career bridges elite academic research with highly effective 1:1 student mentoring.
My scientific research focuses on high-altitude tropical and montane ecosystem resilience, biogeochemistry, and geophysics, leading to peer-reviewed contributions in leading academic journals such as Geosciences, features in The Economist, and presentations at major climate summits such as COP 26 through COP 30. As an active Certified Examiner for major secondary specifications, I provide students with an insider understanding of marking schemes, structural assessment shifts, and syllabus nuances. Combined with multilingual fluency in English (C2), Spanish (C2), Polish (Native), Italian (B2), German (B1), and Portuguese (B1), I deliver an intellectually rigorous, globally contextualised learning experience that empowers students to excel.
Tutor Experience
Over the past several years, I have logged over 15,000 total instructional hours, including more than 14,000 hours of direct 1:1 online tutoring and specialised digital learning environments. My pedagogical scope covers secondary, pre-university, and undergraduate levels across Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physical and Human Geography, Geology, and Earth Sciences. I possess extensive experience with all major exam specifications, including AQA, Pearson Edexcel (UK & IAL), OCR (A & B), Cambridge International (CIE), WJEC/Eduqas, and CCEA.
My institutional background includes four years as an academic lecturer and reader across leading UK universities, including the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh, alongside teaching cycles in top-tier international school environments. In these roles, I have directed coursework, designed geological and ecological field expeditions, and mentored students through independent geographical investigations, lab reports, and Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) coursework.
This rigorous background drives consistent student performance: 80–85%+ of my A-Level and GCSE/IGCSE tutees achieve top grades (A/A* or Grade 8/9), while my university students achieve average grade improvements of 30–40%+. Whether preparing high schoolers for competitive university entry or guiding them through high-stakes modular exams, I tailor every session to ensure total syllabus mastery and exam confidence.
Teaching Approach
My teaching philosophy is built upon an innovative, empirical framework that synthesises advanced scientific inquiry, diagnostic assessment architecture, and metacognitive learning strategies. Designed to transform passive memorisation into active analytical mastery, my approach elevates student performance across four core pillars:
Diagnostic Micro-Assessment Architecture — To guarantee complete syllabus coverage, every unit concludes with a mandatory diagnostic topic test. Built around rigorous targeted questioning, this system systematically identifies and resolves micro-gaps in knowledge before they impact official examination performance.
Examiner-Grade Assessment Mechanics — Drawing directly on my role as a Certified Senior Examiner, I train students to interpret command terms, structure high-scoring responses, and decode complex mark schemes. I provide specialised coaching on critical exam mechanics, including mastering extended 6- and 9-mark analytical questions and navigating board-specific scoring criteria.
Intradisciplinary Scientific & Applied Research Integration — I bridge theoretical syllabus content with real-world scientific methodologies derived from active research in high-altitude tropical ecology, geophysics, and environmental management. This intradisciplinary model deepens conceptual understanding, strengthens analytical data-response essays, and prepares students for top-tier academic rigour.
Adaptive Metacognitive Mentorship — Every learning pathway is customised to the student's unique cognitive profile, integrating high-yield active recall and structured problem-solving with dedicated academic mentorship. By cultivating both conceptual clarity and strategic resilience under exam conditions, I help students reach their highest academic potential.

12
I’m Taiwo, a tutor with ten years of teaching and tutoring experience and a B.Sc. in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University. I teach A-level, GCSE and IGCSE students, bringing together subject knowledge, classroom experience and a patient, practical approach to learning.
My subjects include Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English Language and Computer Science. My current GCSE teaching includes AQA Mathematics at Foundation and Higher levels and AQA English Language. My engineering background strengthens my teaching of Mathematics and Physics, while my professional software development experience allows me to connect computing concepts with practical applications.
I plan lessons around what each student needs. Some need to rebuild foundations; others understand the content but struggle to apply it in unfamiliar exam questions. I identify those gaps, explain ideas clearly and guide students towards solving problems independently. In Mathematics, that means understanding why a method works and recognising when to use it. In Science, it means connecting concepts, calculations and experimental evidence. In English, it means moving beyond identifying techniques to developing thoughtful analysis supported by precise examples.
Students can expect structured lessons, personalised homework and detailed feedback. I use past papers and mark schemes to help them understand what questions demand, improve the clarity of their answers and develop effective revision habits. I track difficulties across lessons so that we revisit what needs attention rather than simply move through topics.
I currently work with international learners, including students in the UK and Hong Kong, and understand the importance of adapting explanations to different educational and language backgrounds. I want students to feel comfortable asking questions, willing to attempt challenging work and able to recognise their own progress. My aim is to build secure understanding, greater independence and confident exam preparation.

38
I have 10 years of tutoring experience in Biology, specializing in GCSE and A-Level preparation. I teach across all major exam boards, including AQA, Edexcel, OCR, and WJEC, covering both Foundation and Higher tiers at GCSE. My lessons focus on core topics such as cell biology, genetics, homeostasis, ecology, and required practicals, with a strong emphasis on exam technique, data analysis, and command-word practice. I have consistently helped students improve their grades, with many achieving grades 7–9 at GCSE and A–A* at A-Level.

11
I help students achieve top-band results by combining subject mastery with systematic, high-level analytical skills. Specializing in Spanish, I provide rigorous, structured support that goes beyond the textbook. My approach centers on deep conceptual understanding, examination strategy, and expert guidance for their exams. Whether you are aiming to bridge knowledge gaps or polish your final submissions, I offer the methodological rigor and bilingual expertise needed to turn complex academic challenges into measurable success. Experienced with teaching IGCSE Edexcel Spanish and IGCSE Cambridge English Literature in the classroom.

20
I'm an A-Level and GCSE tutor in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Accounting, with many years of experience teaching students one-to-one on platforms including Varsity Tutors and Wyzant, and privately. I hold a degree in Management Information Systems and an MBA with a specialization in Project Management, and I'm currently pursuing a PhD in Information Systems Management. I also studied English Literature and History at an advanced level, achieving top marks, which helps me teach students to write clear, well-structured exam answers.
Over the years I've worked with students from beginners through to exam preparation, and I tailor each lesson to the specification and exam style they are working toward, whether that's AQA, Edexcel, OCR or another board. My approach is simple and personal. I explain difficult topics in plain language with everyday examples, such as using a car journey to teach velocity, acceleration and graphs, so students understand why the methods work and not just how to use them. I teach step-by-step methods for calculations and exam questions, with past-paper-style practice and time management. Every lesson is built around the student's needs and learning style, so they understand the material and enjoy learning it.

38
Thanassis D had always seen learning as a map—layered, dynamic, and waiting to be explored. His studies in Computer Science and Earth Observation had sparked a lifelong pursuit: to bridge the technical with the human, the satellite with the classroom.
Each morning, he stepped into the American College of Greece not just as a teacher, but as a mentor within the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. His students didn’t just memorize code—they trained AI models, analyzed real-world datasets, and asked big questions. Under his guidance, classrooms transformed into innovation labs.
Thanassis D has more than six years of experience providing private tuition in Computer Science and Information Technology, including support for GCSE, IGCSE and A-Level students. He teaches core areas such as programming, algorithms, computational thinking, data structures, databases, computer systems, networking and data representation, with a strong emphasis on problem solving, exam preparation and developing students’ confidence with programming. He is comfortable adapting his teaching to different specifications and assessment formats.
By afternoon, Thanassis shifted roles, contributing to cutting-edge projects at the National Observatory of Athens. There, amidst servers and satellite feeds, he designed algorithms to predict floods, track wildfires, and model crop growth. His work wasn’t theoretical—it helped shape the response to real disasters across Europe.
Evenings often brought a different challenge: leading software architecture and engineering efforts at OpenGIS, where he helped build and scale QFieldCloud—a platform empowering geospatial scientists and NGOs worldwide. He balanced usability with scientific power, always pushing toward open, accessible Earth Observation tools.
In the summer of 2024, Thanassis co-designed and mentored at the IGARSS Summer School in Athens, welcoming students from around the globe. With warmth and clarity, he taught them how to turn noisy satellite data into environmental insight. His sessions were among the most remembered—where theory met purpose.
Beyond fieldwork and programming, Thanassis was a writer. His research papers explored the intersection of AI and remote sensing, published in reputable journals and presented at international conferences.
But perhaps his most heartfelt work was in education. He organized workshops on AI in Education, helping fellow teachers harness machine learning not as a buzzword, but as a meaningful classroom tool. In spring 2025, he led a school-wide professional development series for the entire American College of Greece, where educators from every department explored what it meant to teach in the age of algorithms.
Some knew him as a scientist, others as a teacher, a mentor, or a developer. But to everyone who crossed his path, Thanassis D was someone who believed in making knowledge practical—and empowering others to do the same.

31
Kate is a highly accomplished English Literature and Language specialist, focusing predominantly on (I)GCSE, A-Level, and IAL pathways across the Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam boards. With over eight years of dedicated experience in the classroom and in personalised tutoring, she has established a strong reputation for elevating student performance across demanding secondary curricula. As a former Head of English at an international school, Kate possesses a thorough understanding of exam specifications, Assessment Objectives, and mark schemes. Her empathetic, student-centred approach builds deep subject confidence, nurtures critical analysis, and consistently enables learners to achieve top grades.

31
Lina graduated from the University of Wollongong with both a BSc and MSc in Chemistry, achieving a High Distinction average. She began her career in the pharmaceutical industry, gaining valuable real-world experience before moving into education.
Since 2004, Lina has dedicated her career to teaching Chemistry and has over 20 years of experience teaching students aged 12–18 across international school curricula. She is currently the Head of Science and Head of Chemistry at a Singapore international school, where she leads the Science department and oversees a programme that combines Cambridge and Singapore curricula.
Lina’s strongest areas of expertise are Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level, Cambridge AS Level, and Cambridge A Level Chemistry. Her extensive classroom and leadership experience gives her a deep understanding of the syllabus content, assessment objectives, examination requirements, and question-answering techniques needed for students to succeed in Cambridge examinations.
In addition to her extensive Cambridge experience, Lina is highly qualified and experienced in teaching Pearson Edexcel Chemistry and Singapore-Cambridge O Level Chemistry, as well as IB Diploma Chemistry (HL/SL) and AP Chemistry. Her experience across multiple international curricula allows her to adapt her teaching to different examination boards while maintaining a strong focus on the specific requirements of each syllabus.
Over more than two decades of teaching, Lina has developed an extensive collection of exam-focused resources, past-paper materials, practice questions, and revision strategies. She understands that success in Chemistry requires more than knowing the content—students must also learn how to apply concepts, interpret questions, structure answers, and respond according to the expectations of their examination board.
Lina’s teaching philosophy is centred on helping students understand the “why behind the why” rather than relying on memorisation alone. Lessons typically begin by identifying gaps in prior knowledge, followed by clear explanations and modelling, guided practice, and independent problem-solving. Students are also given targeted practice to reinforce their learning between lessons.
Because Chemistry can be highly abstract, Lina uses visual explanations, analogies, worked examples, and real-world applications to make challenging concepts easier to understand. She creates a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and developing confidence in their Chemistry abilities.
Whether a student is preparing for Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level, AS or A Level Chemistry, following the Singapore Chemistry curriculum, or studying Pearson Edexcel Chemistry, Lina combines deep subject knowledge, over two decades of international-school teaching experience, current academic leadership, and exam-focused teaching to help students reach their full potential.
Outside of teaching, Lina enjoys travelling and staying active through outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and jogging.
The tutors you see here are just a selection from our team of hundreds of tutors. Please contact our Learning Advisors to discuss tutoring options.
Ready to start?
Tell us the subject, exam board and target grade. A Learning Advisor reviews it the same day.
Why parents trust us
4.9/5 from 312 reviews · used by students at 500+ schools
Retake FAQs
We have answers to your most frequently asked questions. Anything not answered here, please reach out to our team.
Yes. Many students resit GCSE English or Maths to reach the grade 4 or 5 their sixth form, college or course requires. A GCSE resit tutor focuses on the topics and exam technique that cost marks the first time. See online GCSE tutoring.
Yes. If you've left school, you enter the exam yourself through an approved exam centre rather than through a sixth form. It's straightforward, but check the details early, especially for subjects with coursework or a practical endorsement. Your tutor provides the structure that a school would, with work set and marked every week.
Resitting a single paper often takes about a term of focused tutoring. Retaking a full subject usually runs over two or three terms. Entry deadlines close months before the exam, so the sooner the plan is set, the more time you have.
You already know most of the content, so we don't start again from scratch. Your retake tutor starts with the paper you sat and works out where the marks went. They separate what you didn't know from what you couldn't deliver under timed conditions, then spend your time on those gaps.
If you were within a mark or two of the grade boundary, a review of marking may be quicker and cheaper than resitting. Deadlines for reviews are short, so this needs to be decided in the days after results. Ask your school or exam centre as soon as possible.
It depends on how far off the grade you were. If one paper pulled your total down, a focused resit of that paper is often enough. If you were more than a grade off, or the gaps run across the course, retaking the full subject is usually better. A Learning Advisor goes through your result with you before anything is booked.
Our other services
We tutor the whole school-exam ladder, plus targeted support for students resitting a paper.
Online A-Level Tutoring
Service Description
Online AS Level Tutoring
Service Description
Online GCSE Tutoring
Service Description
Online IGCSE Tutoring
Service Description
Resits & Retakes for A-Levels and GCSE
Service Description
From Blog
Send us your results, and we will tell you what to do next
Share your paper breakdown, exam board and the grade you need. We will come back with a retake plan and a shortlist of tutors, and you only pay for lessons you have completed.











