CCEA GCE A Level Past Papers 2026
Browse all 32 CCEA GCE A Level subjects below. Download question papers and mark schemes from 2008–2025 — always free.
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About CCEA GCE A Level
CCEA GCE (General Certificate of Education) provides A Level and AS Level qualifications for students in Northern Ireland. These are the primary qualifications for university entrance, studied over two years in Year 13 and Year 14 (NI equivalent of Year 12 and Year 13 in England). Biology is the most popular GCE subject by entry volume, followed by Mathematics, Religious Studies, and History.
A major advantage for NI students: CCEA retains the modular AS/A2 structure, unlike England where A Levels are now fully linear. AS units (worth 40% of the full A Level) are taken in Year 13, while A2 units (worth 60%) are taken in Year 14. Individual units can be resat once before certification, with the better mark counting.
Grading follows the standard A*-E scale. To achieve an A*, students need an A on the overall A Level AND 90%+ on the A2 units. AS can be taken as a standalone qualification (graded A-E) or banked towards the full A Level.
CCEA GCE exams are held across multiple sessions: the main Summer session (May-June) and January for modular unit resits. CCEA offers distinctive subjects including Irish (Gaeilge), Software Systems Development, Environmental Technology, and Moving Image Arts.
Questions, answered.
PapersDaddy has past papers for 32 CCEA GCE A Level subjects, with 2,836+ papers from 2008–2025. This includes question papers and mark schemes — all free to download.
We have CCEA GCE A Level past papers from 2008–2025. These papers cover both January and May/June exam sessions. All papers are from the official CCEA examinations sat in Northern Ireland.
AS (Advanced Subsidiary) covers the first year of A Level study (Year 13), worth 40% of the full A Level. A2 covers the second year (Year 14), worth 60%. Students can resit individual units once, with the better mark counting. AS can also be taken as a standalone qualification graded A-E.
CCEA A Levels are modular. Students take AS units (2 units, 40%) in Year 13 and A2 units (2 units, 60%) in Year 14. This differs from England where A Levels are now fully linear. The modular structure means students can resit individual units in January sessions and bank AS results.
Start with the most recent paper and work backwards. Attempt each paper under timed exam conditions without notes. After completing it, use the mark scheme to self-assess — note exactly where marks were lost and why. Focus revision on weak topics, then repeat with another paper. Most students find 3-5 years of past papers sufficient for thorough preparation.