Message for Private Candidates

We are aware that there are some cases where students leave schools and then study at private tuition centre before making exam entries as private candidates. Please make sure that you are aware of the challenges you may face before you decide to enter as a private candidate.

  • Private candidates will have to travel to another part of the city for their different examinations. This is because we organise the exam venues according to the locations of our partner schools. This means that we cannot guarantee that your exam will be close to your home. Therefore, you will face extra travel time
  • British Council preference is that all candidates under 18 years old register for their exam entry through a British Council partner school. This will give you a greater range of options during any pandemic, as well as better academic support in preparing for your exams
  • in case of cancellations,you will not be able to participate in any assessed grades processes arranged by UK examination boards
  • in case of cancellations, you will need to withdraw your entry and enter for next series  or attach to a British Council partner school (paying applicable school admission fees at the last minute, subject to availability of admissions at short notice)
  • British Council partner schools benefit from ongoing Teacher Training and other support to develop a quality delivery towards UK qualifications and therefore it is in the interests of students to continue and complete their course of study at a British Council partner school

We wish all students academic success.

See the registration process below:

My examination board is Pearson Edexcel

 

Please complete the online registration from the following link - https://schoolexams.britishcouncil.org

When you have completed the online process, remember to print your form and sign and date the Declaration.

WHEN TO REGISTER 

Pearson Edexcel International A Level October November 2026 exam series registration windows:

Regular registration: 27 July to 22 August 2026
Late registration:  23 August to 9 September 2026

My examination board is Cambridge International

 

Please complete the online registration from the following link - https://schoolexams.britishcouncil.org

When you have completed the online process, remember to print your form and sign and date the Declaration.

WHEN TO REGISTER

Cambridge International October-November 2026 exam series registration windows:

Regular registration: 29 June to 5 August 2026
Late registration:  6 August to 26 August 2026
Retake registration for AS and A Levels: 11 August to 26 August 2026
Retake registration for O Levels and IGCSE: 18 August to 26 August 2026

Retake registration window without a late fee is only available for subjects you took in the immediate previous exam session (e.g., May–June). This allows you to register for those subjects after your May–June exam results are published. If you register for any other subject that you did not take in the immediate previous May-June exam session, it will be treated as a late registration, even if you register during the Retake registration window. In that case, a late registration fee will apply. To avoid paying a late registration fee, register for such subjects during the regular registration window.

My examination board is Oxford AQA

 

WHEN TO REGISTER

Oxford AQA October-November 2026 registrations are now open only for school candidates. 

Regular registration: 13 August to 1 September 2026
Late registration: 2 September to 15 September 2026

You will find the fees for all exams listed on the registration form. Your application will not be processed until you have paid for your exams. You can pay online or via a bank deposit through designated Standard and Chartered Banks (SCB). You can find a list of designated banks in the downloads section below.

Penalty fees

Each examination board has a regular registration timeline for each exam session. You may still be able to register for exams after this date, but you will have to pay a penalty fee. You can find more information about late registration penalty fees on your exam registration form.

Registration confirmation:

Online Payments

Once your payment is successful, you will receive a payment confirmation email from the British Council. If you do not receive the confirmation, please contact us promptly and provide proof of payment.

Bank Deposits

If you make your payment at a designated Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Service1 branch, your registration will be confirmed after the relevant registration stage (Regular or Late) has closed.

Please retain your stamped bank deposit slip or other proof of payment, as it may be required to complete your registration. If you do not receive your registration confirmation email within one working day after the relevant registration stage closes, please contact us promptly and provide your proof of payment.

Important: Your examination registration is considered complete only after your payment has been verified and your registration has been processed by the British Council.

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