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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.
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.

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Marcus M is an experienced international educator with over 30 years of teaching Economics and Business Management in IB Diploma, A-level and IGCSE programs. He recently taught DP Economics and DP Business Management at the American International School of Kingston, Jamaica, and has previously taught in schools across Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America. Marcus holds an MA in Education from the University of Bath and has served as both a Head of Humanities and DP Coordinator. Since 2021, he has also worked as an IB Examiner for DP Economics. He also has experience teaching A level in both subjects. He taught A level in both UK and HK before switching to IB.His extensive classroom experience, leadership background in, and passion for global learning make him an engaging and effective tutor for students pursuing success in both the IB and A level programmes.

50
Andrew G is an experienced Mathematics educator and Head of Senior School Mathematics at Redhill School. With a background in Biomedical Engineering and extensive experience teaching advanced Mathematics, including IB Higher Level, he brings strong subject knowledge and a practical approach to A Level tutoring.
His philosophy is simple: “think smart, not hard.” Andrew focuses on conceptual understanding, efficient problem-solving and examination technique rather than memorising methods. He has experience supporting students across the ability spectrum, from those rebuilding their confidence to high-performing Mathematics Olympiad students.
His structured and engaging approach helps students develop the confidence and mathematical thinking needed to succeed in A Level Mathematics.

23
Virginia was born and educated in Spain and later qualified as a teacher in the UK. She also holds a Master’s degree in Translation.
She has been teaching IB Spanish and French since 2010 and has over 10 years of experience teaching IGCSE Spanish, as well as extensive experience teaching A Level Spanish. Throughout her career, she has worked in international schools in the UK, the UAE, Germany, China, and Thailand, teaching students from a wide range of nationalities, backgrounds, and abilities.
Virginia is an IB examiner and a certified examiner for other official exam boards, which means she has an in-depth understanding of what examiners are looking for and how students can maximise their marks. She particularly enjoys helping students master exam technique and strategies, develop their language skills, build confidence, and achieve results they can be proud of.
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16
I’m Saad A, a passionate and purpose-driven Physics educator with over a decade of experience teaching and tutoring students across the globe. My journey in education has been defined by a deep commitment to student success, both in academic achievement and in developing a genuine love for learning.
Currently, I teach A Levels and GCSE Physics, and over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with learners from varied backgrounds—online and in some of the finest international schools. My teaching philosophy centers on making Physics relatable, inquiry-driven, and enjoyable. I’ve consistently transformed student performance, helping many learners move from average scores to top-tier grades. More meaningfully, I’ve often been told, and proudly so, that I’m “the teacher who makes students fall in love with Physics.”
This recognition isn't just flattering; it's a reflection of my core belief that learning should be inspiring and empowering. Whether I’m simplifying tough topics in the classroom or facilitating interdisciplinary projects, I strive to create a classroom environment where curiosity leads, mistakes are embraced, and growth is inevitable.
I’ve mentored student teams to success in global competitions, integrated cutting-edge tech tools to enhance understanding, and led initiatives that connect science with real-world problem-solving. From hosting school events with infectious energy to designing assessments that promote self-reflection, I bring creativity, structure, and care into every aspect of my teaching.
To me, education is more than a profession, it’s my passion and my platform to spark change, one student at a time

20
Petros's academic journey began at the University of Crete, Greece, where he pursued his passion for Applied Mathematics. He then earned a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from Imperial College London. It was in London that he naturally transitioned from academia to education—a decision he considers one of the best of his life.
His career in education has been both dynamic and fulfilling. From serving as a Lead Practitioner for A Level Mathematics in London schools to teaching the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, Petros has embraced the challenges of education while consistently delivering high-quality learning experiences to students from diverse backgrounds. He has also been an examiner of Edexcel/Pearson, Cambridge and IBDP for a number of years, consistently marking Further Maths, Pure/Mechanics abd IBDP papers. His teaching journey has taken him to breathtaking destinations such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and he now works in Cambodia, where he continues to foster intellectual curiosity among his students.
Beyond the classroom, Petros enjoys padel, running, hiking, traveling, and cooking for friends. He believes in maintaining a well-rounded lifestyle and lives by the motto “Mens sana in corpore sano”—"A healthy mind in a healthy body.

41
I have overall 10+ years of experience teaching various streams, ranging from IGCSE and A level. I teach both Cambridge and Edexcel A level Mathematics. I have thousands of hours of teaching A level and SAT students across the globe with amazing students and parents' feedback. Other than teaching, I use mathematical equations to sketch faces, shapes on geogebra which helps students to relate Math with Art.

18
Samuel has three masters degrees - MSc Energy and Sustainable Management, MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering and LLM International Business and Commercial Law. Samuel's first degree was in BSc Petrochemical Engineering (First Class). Samuel is also a Qualified Teacher in the UK and has been teaching for over 10 years. Samuel also has several years of examining experience, and hence highly specialised and skilled in tutoring students. Samuel had A in mathematics, A in chemistry, A Biology and A in Physics. Samuel has been an A Level Maths and Further Mathematics Examiner since 2024. I tutor A Level and Further Mathematics as well as Chemistry, Physics and Biology.

15
Jason is a seasoned humanities subject teacher, teaching across a variety of subjects, including History, Geography, Sociology, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Law and other humanities subject for different exam boards. Jason was awarded a Second Class Degree in Bachelor of Social Sciences (Government and Laws) and Bachelor of Laws, while I spent most of teaching career in Geography, especially appreciating the dimensions of human geography. Jason aims at building a solid knowledge foundation to be built upon, and equipping students with the exam techniques to be successful. Jason’s sessions are structured, focused, always questioning so that students are prompted to think more and are given the opportunities to articulate themselves, essential skills to be successful in IBDP.

12
Giles graduated from university with a BSc in Physics and Electronics and later went on to an MA in Education focussing on mathematics and literacy. He worked in electronics and software before moving on to teaching. Now he works mostly as a tutor focussing on inspiring understanding of mathematics at all levels. He have been an examiner for GCE A-level and IAL Maths for 10 years with Pearson Edexcel. Mathematics should be fun, and Giles aims is to inspire interest and understanding of the concepts involved and how they link together. He has a great relationship with his students and gets glowing reviews.

17
I've been working as an IGCSE and A-level Business and economics tutor for 3 years. I have experience in both Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel boards. I prioritize student-centered learning, placing students’ needs, interests, and goals at the heart of my teaching. By emphasizing inquiry-based learning, I encourage curiosity, exploration, and active participation in the classroom. This approach allows students to develop critical thinking and exam skills while taking ownership of their learning process.
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
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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.
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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.











