April 15, 2026 — OxfordAQA has announced a sweeping set of reforms to its international qualifications system, introducing earlier exam results and additional assessment windows aimed at improving flexibility for students and schools worldwide.
The initiative, developed in partnership with Oxford University Press and aligned with global education trends, will be implemented in phases between 2026 and 2029. The changes are designed to give students more control over academic planning and better align exam schedules with university admissions timelines.
Among the key reforms is the earlier release of results for the May/June examination series. From 2027, International AS and A-level results will be issued on July 28, followed by International GCSE results on August 4. This adjustment is expected to provide students with more time to secure university placements and plan their next academic steps.
OxfordAQA will also introduce additional exam series to expand opportunities for assessment. From 2028, an October/November series will be available for all International AS and A-level subjects. A January series for key subjects — including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Economics — will be launched in 2029.
In addition, the organization will offer two submission windows annually for the International Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) starting May 2026. This will allow students greater flexibility in completing research-based projects and managing their academic workload.
Andrew Coombe, Managing Director of OxfordAQA, said the reforms were driven by feedback from schools seeking more adaptable assessment structures. He noted that earlier results and expanded exam sessions would help institutions better align teaching schedules with examinations and enable students to maximize their performance.
The reforms also include extending the entry deadline for the May/June exam series to early March from 2027. This will allow schools to review January assessment results before finalizing entries, enabling more informed academic decisions.
Education analysts say the move reflects growing demand for flexible international qualifications, particularly as students increasingly apply to universities across multiple countries.
The enhancements are expected to benefit thousands of international learners by streamlining exam processes and supporting smoother transitions into higher education.