Pearson Edexcel examination start times

Europe, Middle East and African countries GMT 0 to +3

This document applies to examinations in:

• International Advanced Level (IAL)

• International GCSE
• GCSE
• GCE A Level

Essential information
This document details the start times for exams, in the local time of each time zone.

Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the practice of setting the clocks forward one hour from
standard time during the summer months, and back again in the Autumn, in order to
make better use of natural daylight. Not all countries apply DST, so the guidance for the
May/June and October exam series indicates the timings for each time-zone depending
on whether DST is used in your location or not.

To allow some flexibility, centres can start examinations by up to 30 minutes earlier or

later than the published time below without the need to request approval from Pearson.
For examinations started 30 minutes early, students must still stay under centre
supervision until at least one hour after the start time listed below.

However, permission must be requested in advance if a centre wishes to vary the start
time of exams in excess of 30 minutes. In this event, a request must be emailed to
uk.special.requirements@pearson.com with the message title, ‘Request for variation to
exam start time’.

Document last updated – March 2022

November examinations - Time zones GMT 0 to +3
The designation AM or PM relates to the session the exam is assigned on the Pearson
Edexcel Examination Timetables, which can be found at
http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-topics/exams/exam-
timetables.html#tab-Internationalcentres

Time zones Local start times for exams

GCSE (PM)
GCSE (AM)

GMT
e.g.
Ireland; 9.00 13.30
Portugal
GMT + 1
e.g.
France;
Spain;
10.00 14.30
Germany;
Nigeria;
Switzerland
GMT + 2
e.g.
Jordan; 11.00 15.30
Egypt;
Greece;
South Africa
GMT +3
e.g.
Saudi
Arabia;
12.00 16.30
Kenya;
Kuwait;
Qatar;
Tanzania

Document last updated – March 2022

January examinations - Time zones GMT 0 to +3
The designation AM or PM relates to the session the exam is assigned on the Pearson
Edexcel Examination Timetables, which can be found at
http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-topics/exams/exam-
timetables.html#tab-Internationalcentres

Time zones Local start times for exams

IAL IAL International

International
morning afternoon GCSE (PM)
GCSE (AM)
(AM) (PM)

GMT
e.g.
Ireland; 7.00 9.00 10.00 13.30
Portugal
GMT + 1
e.g.
France;
Spain;
10.00 11.00 14.30
Germany; 8.00
Nigeria;
Switzerland
GMT + 2
e.g.
Jordan; 11.00 12.00 15.30
9.00
Egypt;
Greece;
South Africa
GMT +3
e.g.
Saudi
Arabia;
9.00 12.00 12.00 16.30
Kenya;
Kuwait;
Qatar;
Tanzania

Document last updated – March 2022

May/June examinations - Time zones GMT 0 to +3
The designation AM or PM relates to the session the exam is assigned on the Pearson
Edexcel Examination Timetables, which can be found at
http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-topics/exams/exam-
timetables.html#tab-Internationalcentres

Time zones Local start times for examinations

IAL GCE A level GCE A level

morning morning (AM) afternoon (PM)
(AM)
IAL
GCSE GCSE
afternoon
morning (AM) Afternoon (PM)
(PM)
International International
GCSE GCSE afternoon
morning (AM) (PM)
GMT (DST)
e.g.
Ireland; 7.00 9.00 10.00 13.30
Portugal

GMT + 1
e.g.
7.00 9.00 10.00 13.30
Nigeria

GMT + 1
(DST)
e.g.
France;
8.00 10.00 11.00 14.30
Germany;
Spain;
Switzerland
GMT + 2
e.g.
Egypt; 8.00 10.00 11.00 14.30
South Africa

GMT + 2
(DST)
e.g. 9.00 11.00 12.00 15.30
Greece;
Jordan
GMT +3
e.g.
Saudi Arabia;
Kenya; 9.00 11.00 12.00 15.30
Kuwait;
Qatar;
Tanzania
Document last updated – March 2022
October examinations – Time-zones GMT 0 to +3
The designation AM or PM relates to the session the exam is assigned on the Pearson
Edexcel Examination Timetables, which can be found at
http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-topics/exams/exam-
timetables.html#tab-Internationalcentres

Time zones Local start times for examinations

IAL IAL
morning afternoon
(AM) (PM)

GMT (DST)
e.g.
Ireland; 7.00 10.00
Portugal

GMT + 1
e.g.
7.00 10.00
Nigeria

GMT + 1
(DST)
e.g.
France;
8.00 11.00
Germany;
Spain;
Switzerland
GMT + 2
e.g.
Egypt; 8.00 11.00
South Africa

GMT + 2
(DST)
e.g. 9.00 12.00
Greece;
Jordan
GMT +3
e.g.
Saudi Arabia;
Kenya; 9.00 12.00
Kuwait;
Qatar;
Tanzania

Document last updated – March 2022