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Resits & Retakes for A-Levels and GCSE

Get a tutor to help you with your resit to ensure you get the score you want

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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.

Option 01

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
Option 02

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
Option 03

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.

August

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.

September

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.

Oct – Nov

Autumn series

Cambridge and Edexcel International run October/November exams; UK boards have no November A-Level series.

Jan –Feb

January series and UK entries

Edexcel International and OxfordAQA run January exams. Entries for the UK boards' June series close in late February.

May – June

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.

01

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.

02

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.

03

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.

Read the full process
01

Fill out an online form

Complete an application online which will be received by one of our dedicatedLearning Advisors

02

Get matched with a tutor

Our experienced Learning Advisor will review your application, and match youwith the most appropriate tutor based on your application

03

Tutor makes contact

Once we confirm with the tutor, the tutor will make contact to organise yourfirst session.

04

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.

How we select them
  • We accept only the top 5% of tutor applicants.
  • Each tutor is chosen for their academic results, teaching ability, and connection with students.
Choose this if you want

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.

How we select them
  • We only select highly experienced, qualified A-Level teachers.
  • Every teacher is assessed on their teaching expertise, subject knowledge, and ability to engage students.
Choose this if you want

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.

See more details about our tutors
Manish R, online GCSE Physics Tutor
Manish R
$85 USD/hr
Professional

19

Manish R is an elite educator with over 27 years of experience inspiring high-ability learners and shaping top-tier mathematics programs. Holding an MS in Gifted Education and a Master’s in Pure Mathematics, I perfectly bridges deep academic theory with specialized pedagogical strategies.

Core Strengths & Pillars of Success

27+ Years of Classroom Mastery: A lifelong learner dedicated to cultivating critical thinking, logical reasoning, and a passion for numbers in high school students.

Experience GCSE Physics teaching experience connect to Mathematics for GCSE A level at international boards students

Tutor GCSE A level Math courses to UK boards like AQA and OCR.

A level Math courses for international boards students with great success.

Passion-Driven Philosophy: Believes in learning through teaching, empowering students to take ownership of their education, and unlocking the maximum potential of profoundly gifted minds.

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Lili M, online A Level Chinese & Economics Tutor
Lili M
$85 USD/hr
Professional

40

Lili is an experienced international educator specialising in IGCSE and A-Level Mandarin Chinese and Economics, with a strong combination of academic qualifications, professional teaching credentials, examiner experience, and more than 15 years of subject-specific teaching experience. She has worked in international education since 1999, teaching students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds in international school environments.

For Mandarin Chinese, Lili holds a professional teaching qualification and has an academic background in Chinese Language and Literature. She has taught Chinese for more than 15 years and has extensive experience preparing students for international examinations, including IGCSE and A-Level Chinese. She has also served as a Chinese examiner in Switzerland, giving her first-hand understanding of assessment criteria, examination standards, and the skills students need to achieve strong results. Her teaching covers speaking, listening, reading and writing, as well as advanced vocabulary, grammar, cultural understanding, literary analysis, academic writing and examination techniques.

For Economics, Lili holds a Master’s degree in Political Economy of Money and Development and has several years of experience teaching Economics in international school settings. She is familiar with IGCSE and A-Level Economics, including microeconomics, macroeconomics, international economics, economic development, data interpretation, structured responses, essay writing and examination preparation. Her academic background enables her to connect economic theory with contemporary global issues and help students develop strong analytical and evaluative skills.

Lili also holds IB Educator Certificates and has experience with the IB Diploma Programme at both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL). She is familiar with IB assessment requirements, including examinations, Internal Assessments (IA), Extended Essays (EE), and Theory of Knowledge (TOK). This broader international curriculum experience allows her to support students transitioning between or working across different academic systems.

Throughout her career, Lili has supported students from international schools through classroom teaching, private tutoring, and established tutoring organisations. She is particularly experienced in working with secondary and sixth-form students preparing for IGCSE and A-Level examinations.

Her teaching is highly student-centred and examination-focused. She adapts lessons to each learner’s current level, strengths, areas for development, examination board requirements, and target grades. Alongside subject knowledge, she places strong emphasis on exam technique, analytical thinking, academic writing, independent learning and confidence, enabling students to make measurable progress and work effectively towards their desired IGCSE and A-Level results.

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Dexter H, online A Level English Tutor
Dexter H
$85 USD/hr
Professional

22

Dexter H is an English specialist, examiner and international teacher with over a decade of experience preparing students for IB, Cambridge IGCSE and Pearson A-level English qualifications. He has worked with learners across Europe, Asia and Latin America, supporting students in developing the close analysis, essay writing and exam technique needed to succeed in demanding English courses.

Alongside his IB work, Dexter teaches Cambridge IGCSE English, Cambridge ESL and Pearson A-level English, bringing examiner training and assessment insight to each course. As a trained examiner for Cambridge IGCSE English/ESL and Pearson A-level English, he understands how assessment criteria are applied and helps students move beyond general commentary into precise, evidence-based analysis. His support covers unseen analysis, comparative writing, coursework, literary interpretation, language responses and examination technique.

Dexter’s students have consistently achieved strong results across international English qualifications, including a 100% pass rate in Cambridge and IELTS examinations. He supports students in improving predicted grades, strengthening coursework, refining analytical writing and developing the confidence needed to perform under timed examination conditions.

Dexter is an English Language A and Language B specialist, IB Examiner and Workshop Leader. He has marked official IB, IGCSE and A-Level assessments, trained teachers in the Diploma Programme and helped students approach the various assessments with confidence and clarity.

Beyond the classroom, Dexter has authored major sections of Kognity’s Language and Literature digital textbook and designed IB-aligned resources for Revision Village, two of the most widely used platforms supporting IB students around the world. His work has helped shape the learning experiences of thousands of students internationally.

Formerly Head of English at Colegio Suizo de México, Dexter brings together classroom expertise, examiner insight and curriculum leadership. Known for his structured, supportive and engaging approach, he turns complex assessment tasks into clear, practical strategies that students can apply with confidence. His aim is not only to help students achieve excellent academic results, but also to develop the independence, analytical skills and self-belief that will serve them far beyond the exam.

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Rasanayagam K, online A Level Maths & Physics Tutor
Rasanayagam K
$85 USD/hr
Professional

34

Hello! I am Dr. K. I have a PhD in Engineering, and I specialise in Math and Science (Physics/Chemistry) Tuition. I have successfully tutored/coached hundreds of young adults across several examination boards such as A-levels/ATAR/O-levels, CIE, IGCSE, and towards the SAT exams both via face-to-face and online modes. The background of my students vary across a wide spectrum, from neighbourhood schools to independent/international schools and even Homeschooled/Private Candidates. I am also at ease with both neurotypical and neurodivergent learners (ADHD, mild Autism etc.). One of my students topped the ATAR for physics and currently at Oxford.

I am also an ex-adjunct Assistant Professor of Physics at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Department of Math and Science with expertise in pedogogy, androgogy and also a motivational speaker with experience running courses in JCs (High Schools)

I believe in empowering every student to do his/her best! No student has ever been turned away!

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Louise B, online A Level Biology Tutor
Louise B
$85 USD/hr
Professional

13

Louise B has taught/tutored A level and GCSE/IGCSE Biology for over 10 years and is experienced at preparing students to perform well during their exams. Several of her A level students have gone on to study Medicine and many of her GCSE students have achieved a 9, but her biggest driver is to build the confidence in the young people she works with. Helping her students realised that they are more capable than they previously believed is what, she believes, enables them to make the fastest progress towards their goal.

At university Louise initially began studying Biochemistry but quickly realised that Microbiology was a bigger passion. She therefore has an excellent understanding of metabolic processes that students tend to find tricky. Her PhD in life sciences demonstrates that she understands the research process and is able to pass these skills onto her students.

Finally, Louise's teaching qualification was attained at the University of Oxford meaning that she is equipped with teaching skills that will allow her to get the best from her students. Her approach is to work with students with empathy and an open mind so that students grow in confidence and feel that they can achieve more than they previously thought possible.

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DJ M, online A Level Maths Tutor
DJ M
$85 USD/hr
Professional

43

DJ has extensive experience working with private colleges in the UK particularly helping students prepare for their GCSE and A-level examinations. He is familiar with all of the exam boards and has the most amount of experience with AQA and Edexcel. He emphasizes the importance of interactive lessons with students to help improve their confidence and enjoyability of the subject matter. He also believes in practicing the concepts discussed in between tutoring sessions to help consolidate their level of understanding.

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Hans K, online A Level History Tutor
Hans K
$85 USD/hr
Professional

13

I am Hans K and a native from Rotterdam, The Netherlands. I have been teaching IB/DP , IGCSE and 'O' and 'A' levels for the last 20 years on a variety of internationals schools, both in Europe and the U.S. I carry degrees from Leiden Uni. in Leiden, The Netherlands, and completed my doctors course work at Carnegie-Mellon Uni. in Pittsburgh, PA, USA. I have played First Division Amateur soccer in Holland and have coached for the last 20 years as well. Besides being a soccer fanatic, I am also a wolf conservationist supporter being associated with Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary in Ramah, NM. I read quite a lot as well and try and link my readings to what I teach in History. Finally, looking at the A-Level curriculum, I have extended experience in working with sources corresponding to the Unit of European History with specifics in World War I and II, the Interbellum Period, and the Cold War., the same applies for my IGCSE teachings. I think it was the Cambridge Assessment Exam Board where the exams were forwarded to by the school.

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Maja K, online A Level Maths & Physics Tutor
Maja K
$85 USD/hr
Professional

21

Maja is an experienced Physics and Mathematics teacher and tutor with over 25 years of experience in international education. She has taught students across a wide range of curricula and levels, including GCSE, A Level, IB and AP, and has experience working with different exam boards.

With a strong background in both classroom teaching and individual tutoring, Maja focuses on helping students build a solid understanding of concepts, develop problem-solving skills, and gain confidence in applying their knowledge to exam-style questions. She adapts her teaching to each student’s individual needs, whether they need help with specific topics, regular academic support, or focused exam preparation.

Maja is also an experienced IB Physics examiner and has previously worked as an AP Physics Reader, giving her a strong understanding of assessment and examination requirements. Her degree in Mechanical Engineering provides her with a strong analytical and mathematical foundation, which she brings into her teaching of both Physics and Mathematics.

Maja is passionate about education and enjoys helping students become more confident, independent learners. She believes that patience, consistency and perseverance are key to making progress, values she developed through her years of practicing karate and continues to bring to her teaching.

Outside of teaching, Maja enjoys fitness, ice skating, hiking, walking in nature, traveling, and crocheting, which she finds to be a relaxing and creative hobby.

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Aster A, online A Level Further Maths, Pure Maths & Physics Tutor
Aster A
$85 USD/hr
Professional

48

Aster is an experienced international educator with a Bachelor's degree in Physics and several years of experience teaching and tutoring students across a range of international curricula, including Cambridge, Australian, and other globally recognised programs. She specialises in Physics, Mathematics, Science, English, and academic skills development, and has worked with students from primary school through to senior secondary levels.

Throughout her career, Aster has taught students from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds, including Australian students in online learning environments. Her experience extends beyond subject content to helping students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, exam techniques, academic writing, and independent learning skills. She is also experienced in supporting students with essay writing, research projects, and assessment preparation.

Aster's teaching approach focuses on making complex concepts clear, engaging, and accessible. She adapts lessons to each student's learning style and believes that strong understanding is built through curiosity, confidence, and active participation. Students and parents appreciate her patient, supportive, and encouraging manner, as well as her ability to explain challenging topics in a simple and relatable way.

With a strong background in science education and a passion for helping students achieve their academic goals, Aster is committed to helping every student build confidence, improve performance, and enjoy the learning process.

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Maria G, online A Level Maths, Biology & French Tutor
Maria G
$60 USD/hr
Academic

27

Maria Beatrice teaches maths, biology and french and prepares students for admission in prestigious universities and faculties (such as medicine, economics, engineering and architecture).

She is a med student currently in her sixth year of studies, she has attended Bocconi university for one year before realizing that medicine was the right path for her.

Before university she completed high school diplomas (American, French and Italian), she graduated with honors and 4 AP exams (in which she got the scores 5,5,5,4) in Los Angeles and then got a double diploma in Milan.

Maria Beatrice has a deep interest in scientific subjects and in emergency medicine; she, indeed, volunteers as an ambulance rescuer.

Maria Beatrice has a long experience with tutoring, she started tutoring while still in high school because she loved sharing her knowledge with her peers.

She has been teaching A-level students for 5 years and has helped go through SAT and University admission tests preparation for more than 4 years.

She loves discovering new and different methods personally adjusted for each individual students, she also treasures being challenged every day and her main goal is to make students feel understood since she went through the same experiences and knows how pressured they can feel.

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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

"My tutor showed me exactly how examiners mark Maths papers. We went through past papers every week, and I went from a predicted B to an A* in the summer."
Emily R
Emily R
AS Level Maths (2025)
"I was falling behind in Chemistry after missing a term. My tutor was patient, well organised and filled in every gap. I walked into my exams feeling ready for the first time."
Daniel K
Daniel K
AS Level Chemistry (2025)
"Weekly sessions on essay structure completely changed my History grades. My tutor knew the mark scheme inside out, and my coursework came back with full marks."
Sophie M
Sophie M
AS Level History (2025)
"Booking was easy and my tutor fitted around my school timetable. Physics finally made sense, and I got the grades I needed for my Engineering offer."
Maria P
Maria P
AS Level Physics (2025)
"I had my tutor for the final six months before exams. Every session was focused on my weak topics, and my Biology mock grade went up two grades by the real thing"
Hannah L
Hannah L
AS Level Biology (2025)
"I was retaking Economics and needed a different approach. My tutor made the content click and helped me plan my revision properly. I improved from a C to an A"
Lisa T
Lisa T
AS Level Economics (2025)

Retake FAQs

We have answers to your most frequently asked questions. Anything not answered here, please reach out to our team.

Do you offer GCSE resit tutoring?

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.

Can I resit A-Levels as a private candidate?

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.

How long does A-Level resit tutoring take?

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.

How is A-Level retake tutoring different?

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.

Should I ask for a remark before booking a resit?

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.

Should I resit one paper or retake the whole A-Level?

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.

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Resits & Retakes for A-Levels and GCSE

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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.