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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
Daniel E, online A Level Chemistry & Biology Tutor
Daniel E
$60 USD/hr
Academic

20

Daniel is a passionate, high-achieving tutor currently pursuing his Medical Degree at the University of Nicosia. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with honors from the prestigious American University of Beirut (AUB), where he built a strong foundation in the physical sciences, analytical reasoning, and academic research.

In recognition of his scientific potential, Daniel was awarded the URE 2023–2024 grant for his work in organic chemistry. He is also a Senior Research Assistant at Operation 12 at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where he contributes to groundbreaking research in psychology, exploring the intersections between cognition, behavior, and mental health.

Daniel’s academic excellence began early. He completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme with a score of 41 out of 45, achieving perfect 7s in Higher Level Biology, Chemistry, and Business, and strong performance in his Standard Level subjects.

Daniel teaches Chemistry and Biology for the A-level and GCSE. he has helped students excel and achieve the highest marks, with most of his students scoring A* in the A-levels and Grades 8 and 9 in GCSE, with many of his students moving on to attending top ranked international schools.

With years of tutoring experience, Daniel has helped students across high school and university levels master difficult subjects, prepare for major exams, and build long-term academic confidence. His teaching style is clear, strategic, and empowering. He breaks down complex ideas into manageable steps, adapts his methods to suit each student's learning style, and always aims to make learning engaging, meaningful, and enjoyable.

Daniel believes that with the right support, every student is capable of excellence. He brings that belief into every session

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Cheryl L, online A Level Biology Tutor
Cheryl L
$85 USD/hr
Professional

46

Cheryl is a highly qualified Biologist. She holds a First Class Honours degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology from the University of Sheffield and a PhD (focusing on the oxytocin receptor in the male reproductive tract) from the University of Bristol.

For the last 26 years, Cheryl has taught in independent schools around the globe (including the UK, NZ and Egypt). She has taught Biology at the following levels: (I)GCSE and A level and is familiar with all of the examination boards offering these subjects. Human Biology and Chemistry GCSE is also something Cheryl is familiar with.

Keeping up to date with the courses through professional development, Cheryl's understanding of the mentioned courses is current.

Cheryl's students have consistently achieved grades greater than their CEM data predictions. This means that Cheryl always adds 'value' to the achievement of her students.

Cheryl also likes to aid students with study and revision skills. She has a Master's degree in Education and Psychology from the University of Cambridge. Her thesis investigated the impact of graphic organisers on metacognition and learning.

Cheryl has been described as approachable and good humored and builds working relationships easily. She uses a constructivist approach in her teaching which means that her students are not passive but active learners.

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Abdullahi D, online GCSE Global Citizenship Tutor
Abdullahi D
$85 USD/hr
Professional

49

Abdullahi D, a Global Citizenship & Government Teacher and Tutor.

GCSE Citizenship Studies WAEC Government A-Level Government and Politics.

I am a dedicated Global Citizenship and Government teacher and tutor with [ Eleven years] experience supporting students for WAEC WASSCE Government as well as the UK curriculum equivalent, GCSE Citizenship Studies (AQA, Edexcel, and OCR)

My teaching approach is concept-first and exam-focused: I break down complex topics like democracy, governance, federalism, and human rights into clear, real-world examples, then build exam confidence through source analysis, structured essay writing, and past-paper drills tailored to each board’s mark scheme.

I have helped GCSE and WASSCE students move from average grades to better positions through personalised tutoring, regular feedback, and active discussion that develops critical thinking for both exams and engaged citizenship.

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Natasha W, online A Level Biblical Studies & English Tutor
Natasha W
$85 USD/hr
Professional

23

Natasha W is an experienced educator and academic coach with over 25 years in education, including 14 years at an IB World School. She holds a Master of Education in Teaching and Innovation and currently serves as an adjunct professor, where she supports college students in academic writing, critical thinking, and research-based assignments.

In her early years of learning under the British system, she attended a high school where A- level GSCE subjects were taught. Also as an adjunct professor, she helped students to achieve outstanding results in A-level GSCE. Natasha specializes in English, Literature, English as a Second Language, History, Biblical Studies and Religious Studies. She has worked with students from over 40 nationalities and is highly skilled in supporting multilingual learners to develop clarity, confidence, and precision in their communication. Her students consistently improve in essay structure, argument development, and overall academic performance.

In addition to her teaching experience, Natasha has worked with schools and organizations to strengthen communication and engagement across diverse teams, bringing a global and practical perspective to her work with students.

Natasha’s teaching style is structured, supportive, and empowering. She focuses on building independent thinkers by breaking down complex tasks, aligning work with IB assessment criteria, and gradually releasing responsibility to the student. She ensures that each session is purposeful, engaging, and tailored to help students achieve both academic success and long-term confidence

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Harsha B, online A Level Business & Economics Tutor
Harsha B
$85 USD/hr
Professional

21

With 2 years of teaching experience in the UAE, I have worked with students across different academic levels and learning abilities, specialising in Business and Economics at GCSE/IGCSE and A-Level. My experience includes teaching across the Edexcel International GCSE and International A Level (IAL) curricula, as well as supporting students with different academic goals and examination requirements.

I have extensive experience in lesson planning, exam preparation, past-paper practice, exam-style responses and individualised student support. My teaching approach combines clear concept-building with real-world application, while developing strong application, analysis, evaluation and exam technique. I adapt my lessons to each student’s strengths, areas for improvement and pace of learning.

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Joogal K, online A Level Biology Tutor
Joogal K
$85 USD/hr
Professional

27

Joogal is an experienced Biology and Chemistry educator with a strong focus on A-Level and IGCSE Biology and Chemistry. He currently teaches IB Biology and Chemistry at one of Singapore’s leading IB schools and has extensive experience across the A-Level, IGCSE and IB curricula.

He holds a degree in Chemistry and Microbiology from the National University of Singapore (NUS), where he also obtained a Second Class Upper Honours degree in Microbiology. He subsequently completed a Master of Education (Merit) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Joogal has over two decades of teaching experience, including eight years as a lecturer at Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC), where he taught A-Level Biology. He subsequently joined Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), where he taught IBDP Biology and Chemistry. His experience teaching different curricula has given him a strong understanding of the content, examination requirements and skills needed for students to perform well in A-Level and IGCSE Biology and Chemistry.

In addition to teaching, Joogal has worked with the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) for 20 years, serving as an IA moderator and Theory of Knowledge examiner. He has also been trained in Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS). His extensive experience as both a classroom teacher and examiner gives him valuable insight into assessment expectations and common areas where students can improve.

As a Senior Teacher and former Head of IB Biology, Joogal has extensive experience in identifying students’ learning needs, addressing gaps in understanding and developing targeted strategies to help students achieve their academic goals. He places particular emphasis on developing a strong conceptual foundation, examination skills and the ability to apply knowledge to unfamiliar questions.

As a tutor, Joogal believes that effective tuition should go beyond simply covering content. He provides students with structured guidance, targeted resources and systematic practice to build their understanding and confidence. At the same time, he encourages students to become independent learners by attempting questions on their own, applying concepts and taking responsibility for their learning.

With his extensive experience in A-Level and IGCSE Biology and Chemistry, as well as IB Biology and Chemistry, Joogal is able to support students across different curricula and adapt his teaching approach to their individual learning needs.

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Orn I, online A Level Chemistry Tutor
Orn I
$85 USD/hr
Professional

46

I'm Dr. Orn I — Yale PhD biochemist, Associate Professor of Biochemistry at Mahidol University, and a private chemistry tutor with 12+ years of experience guiding international school students through iGCSE and A-Level Chemistry from across different boards. Past students have been admitted to Stanford, Cambridge, Pomona, and Vanderbilt. I work with one student at a time, build each lesson around their specific exam board and school mark scheme, and send a written recap after every session. Online via Zoom / MS Teams from Thailand.

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Farhana S, online A Level Maths Tutor
Farhana S
$85 USD/hr
Professional

31

Farhana is an experienced Mathematics educator currently teaching at one of Toronto’s leading private schools. She previously served as Head of Mathematics at another school and holds an Engineering degree from Assumption University of Thailand and a master’s degree from Framingham University.

Having completed both GCSE and A Level Mathematics herself, Farhana brings a strong understanding of the curriculum, examination structure, and academic expectations students face. She has experience tutoring GCSE and A Level students and has also taught these programs in a school setting.

Her teaching approach goes beyond simply completing questions. She focuses on helping students understand the mathematics behind each method, develop strong problem solving habits, communicate their reasoning clearly, and approach examinations with confidence and effective technique.

Farhana believes that every student can improve in Mathematics with the right structure, guidance, practice, and encouragement. She has particular experience supporting students who need to strengthen their foundations as well as those aiming for the highest grades.

In addition to GCSE and A Level Mathematics, Farhana has extensive experience teaching senior high school Mathematics, including IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches and Applications and Interpretation. She is also an IB Mathematics examiner who assesses Internal Assessments, giving her a strong understanding of mathematical communication, assessment standards, and what distinguishes high quality student work.

Her goal is to help students become confident, independent mathematicians who understand what they are doing, why they are doing it, and how to perform at their best in examinations.

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Rahul C, online A Level Physics Tutor
Rahul C
$60 USD/hr
Academic

47

Dr Rahul C holds a PhD in Physics, specialising in Hadron Physics (Phenomenology), and has over 7 years of teaching experience across the Cambridge and IB curricula, including 5 years of IGCSE Physics and 2 years of full time AS & A Level Physics teaching. He has extensive experience preparing students for Cambridge examinations through a strong focus on conceptual understanding, problem-solving, practical skills, and effective exam technique.

His students have consistently achieved outstanding results, including A* grades in IGCSE Physics and excellent performances in AS & A Level examinations. Dr C has successfully mentored students through investigative practical work, coursework, and advanced physics problem-solving, helping them build both confidence and academic excellence.

Holding Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), England, Dr C combines deep subject expertise with inquiry based teaching strategies and a clear understanding of Cambridge assessment expectations. As an accomplished researcher, he has published multiple papers in international peer reviewed journals and presented his research at academic institutions and conferences in France and the USA. His teaching is structured, engaging, and highly focused on developing critical thinking, analytical skills, and the confidence students need to excel in IGCSE and AS/A Level Physics.

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Mirela Z, online A Level Accounting, Business & Economics Tutor
Mirela Z
$85 USD/hr
Professional

28

Dr. Mirela Z is an experienced international educator and curriculum specialist with a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction and extensive teaching experience across the United Kingdom, United States, Europe, and Asia. She has taught secondary and university-level students and specializes in English language development, academic writing, literacy, reading comprehension, and preparation for advanced academic study.

Dr. Z supports students working at GCSE/GCE and A-Level English standards, with particular emphasis on the skills assessed within major UK and international examination frameworks, including Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel, and AQA. Her instruction focuses on the core competencies students need for these examinations: close reading, text and language analysis, interpretation, comparative analysis, essay planning, evidence-based argument, vocabulary, grammar, and accurate written expression.

Her secondary-level teaching experience includes working with students from diverse linguistic and academic backgrounds and preparing learners for increasingly demanding academic coursework. She provides targeted support with examination-style reading and writing tasks, analytical responses, structured essays, revision strategies, and timed practice. For A-Level students, she places particular emphasis on developing sophisticated analysis, independent interpretation, well-supported arguments, and the academic writing skills required for progression to university.

Dr. Z has also designed and taught university-level courses in English for Academic Purposes, academic and business communication, and content-based English instruction. This experience enables her to help GCSE and A-Level students bridge the gap between examination preparation and the independent reading, writing, and critical-thinking expectations of higher education.

Her tutoring is individualized and data-informed. She identifies each student's strengths and areas for improvement and uses targeted practice, clear explanations, constructive feedback, and measurable learning goals. Her approach is particularly effective for multilingual and international students who may understand academic content well but need additional support expressing complex ideas confidently and accurately in English.

Dr. Z's goal is not simply to help students prepare for an examination, but to develop confident, independent learners with strong analytical and communication skills. She creates a supportive and engaging learning environment in which GCSE/GCE and A-Level students can strengthen their examination performance while developing skills that will serve them throughout university and beyond.

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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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We tutor the whole school-exam ladder, plus targeted support for students resitting a paper.

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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.