Can I Resit My A Level Politics Exam?
Can I Resit My A Level Politics Exam?
Created:Updated: 19-August-2025
Didn’t get the grade you hoped for in A Level Politics?
The good news: you can resit as a private candidate and aim for a higher grade.
How Do A Level Politics Resits Work?
A Level Politics (Edexcel) is a linear qualification. To achieve a new overall grade you must re-enter the full qualification and sit all three written papers again in the same exam series.
- Paper 1: UK Politics & Core Political Ideas
- Paper 2: UK Government & Non-core Political Ideas
- Paper 3: Comparative Politics (usually USA or Global)
Exams usually run once per year in May/June (the summer series). You’ll need to book your resit at an approved exam centre—schools, colleges, or private exam centres.
Search for approved exam centres with JCQ
What Should I Know About Politics Resits?
- You’ll resit all three exam papers in a single series to receive a new overall grade.
- Your new result replaces your previous grade—universities typically consider your best achieved grade (check specific course policies).
- There’s no coursework or practical element to carry forward in Politics.
- Private candidates pay the exam-board entry fee plus the centre’s admin/invigilation charges.
- Book early—popular centres can fill up well before the entry deadline.
- For Paper 3, confirm which option (e.g., USA or Global) your chosen centre offers.
How do you book and sit A Level exams as a private candidate?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I resit just one Politics paper?
No—because Politics is linear, you re-enter the full A Level and sit all three papers in the same series to receive a new overall grade.
How many times can I resit?
There’s no official limit. You can resit in any future series offered by centres accepting private candidates.
Will universities know I’ve resat—and do they accept resits?
Many universities accept resits and consider your best grade. Always check specific policies for your target courses.
How much does it cost to resit?
Fees vary by centre. Expect the exam-board entry fee plus the centre’s administration and invigilation charges. See more about exam fees
Can I change my Paper 3 option (e.g., from USA to Global)?
Usually yes—but confirm your centre offers the option you want, and ensure your preparation matches that specification.