Understanding IGCSE & A-Level Exam Series – Why It Matters for Your Child’s Success

At Raena Learning, we don’t just tutor students — we design pathways that give them the highest possible chance of achieving top grades.

One of the biggest secrets behind consistent student success in international exams is understanding how exam series work across different boards.

📌 Here’s what every parent & student needs to know:

1️⃣ Cambridge IGCSE & A Levels (CAIE)

• Offer two main global exam series: May/June and October/November.

• Some subjects have an additional March session, but this is India-only.

• This means that for most Nairobi students, the ideal cycle is:

Prepare → Sit in June → Upgrade or resit in November.

2️⃣ Pearson Edexcel International GCSE

• Previously had January sessions, now replaced with May/June and November.

• The November series is excellent for:

✔️ Late joiners

✔️ Students who need an extra attempt

✔️ Fast-tracked learners finishing earlier

• Many core subjects (Maths, English, Sciences, Business) run in both series, giving powerful flexibility.

3️⃣ Pearson IAL (International AS/A Level)

This is the most flexible A-Level system in the world:

• January, June, and October exams every year

• Modular structure → students sit units across the year

• Perfect for:

✔️ Students who join mid-year

✔️ Students who want to avoid exam overload

✔️ Targeted grade improvements before university deadlines

⭐ Why this matters for your child

At Raena Learning, we use this exam-series knowledge to:

• Build personalised pathways

• Spread exam pressure across multiple windows

• Maximise revision cycles

• Offer structured resit options

• Help students improve grades without waiting a full year

Understanding the exam calendar is the difference between an average grade and an exceptional grade.

✨ This is why 95% of our students improve, and why parents trust us year after year.

If you want a personalised roadmap for your child’s IGCSE or A-Level journey — June, October/November, or January — we can guide you.

📩 Send us a message on 0722519962

Where strategy meets excellence.