Exams for home educated students

Home education GCSE options when home learning.

Thinking about exams?

Planning for exams as a home-educating parent can feel overwhelming at first. The system is confusing, and the pressure can be real. But you don’t need to cram in a stack of GCSEs by age 16, and there’s no rule saying you must follow the school model - or even do them at all.

In fact, home education gives you much more freedom. You can start earlier or later, take one subject at a time, and spread them out over several years. That can help with both cost and stress—because unfortunately, booking and paying for exams is our responsibility as parents. It adds up quickly, so pacing yourself is key.

What qualifications can home educators take?

You’re not limited to GCSEs. Some families take a mix of GCSEs and IGCSEs (International GCSEs). They’re equivalent in level and widely accepted. For many subjects, IGCSEs are easier to access as a private candidate. In some cases, families skip GCSEs altogether and explore alternative qualifications or part-time college options for 14–16-year-olds.

The Home Ed Exams Wiki is the go-to place to find out what’s possible. Their Subjects - FAQs page lists which subjects are accessible to home educators and includes practical notes on more difficult-to-access options.

Making a plan

If your child has a clear interest or future goal, start there and work backwards. For example, check college entry requirements and see which subjects or qualifications are needed. This can shape your plan.

You don’t need to choose everything all at once. Take it one step at a time.

Pick a subject
Visit the wiki page for that subject. You’ll find a breakdown of specifications, textbooks, and recommended resources.
Choose an exam board
Each board (like AQA, Edexcel, or Cambridge) has its own specification. Some have coursework or practicals, some don’t. Compare past papers, course content, and structure. This page helps: Exam Boards
Check your exam centre
Always check that your local exam centre offers the board and subject you’ve chosen. Not all do. This is one of the most important steps—there’s no point following a course you can’t sit locally. Ask clearly about each subject, especially for practicals or spoken elements. Read: Finding an exam centre

You can use different boards for different subjects. Mix and match to suit your child and your situation. Consider:

how many papers and how long they are
whether there’s coursework or a spoken/practical element
how often the exam is offered
which books or online courses are available
any learning needs or access arrangements

Studying for exams

Some families self-study using the exam board textbooks, past papers, and free resources online. Others use tutors, online courses, or a mix. Our resources section and courses and lessons pages can help.

If you’re paying for a tutor or course, double-check they are teaching the right specification for the exam you plan to sit. Don’t assume they know—sometimes they don’t. For example, AQA GCSE English Language and Edexcel IGCSE English Language are not the same. Ask clearly which exam board and syllabus they’re teaching.

Ask around in your local Facebook groups for recommendations. Try this: Home Education UK Exams & Alternatives

You don’t need to rush. Take your time choosing the right approach for your child and your family. This page is great for ideas on independent learning: Study Skills

A few extra things to know

As an external candidate, you’ll need to sit your exams at an exam centre—usually a school or private centre.
Some families need to travel to sit exams, especially for more niche subjects.
There are now a few options for online exams with remote invigilation—but they are costly (often £400+ more per subject). Here’s an example.

Taking exams outside of school is absolutely possible. You’ve got options, and you can shape the path in a way that works for your child. There’s no rush, no one-size-fits-all—and you are not alone. Thousands of home educators have walked this path before you.