CCEA GCSE English (ENGL) Past Papers 2026

This page contains all 28 CCEA GCSE English (ENGL) past papers available for free download — 11 exam sessions from 2011 to 2026. Each session includes question papers and mark schemes from both January and Summer exam windows. No registration or payment required.

CCEA GCSE English is graded A*–G, with A* being the highest. Grade C is the standard pass in Northern Ireland. Unlike English exam boards (AQA, OCR, Edexcel) which use the 9–1 scale, CCEA retains the traditional letter grading system. This is important to know when comparing results across the UK — a CCEA grade C is broadly equivalent to a grade 4 under the 9–1 system.

CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment) is the sole exam board for Northern Ireland. All schools in Northern Ireland use CCEA qualifications, making these the official papers sat by students across the region. CCEA sessions run in January and Summer (May/June), giving students two examination windows per year — both are included in this archive.

For the most effective revision, attempt each English past paper under timed exam conditions, then mark it against the official CCEA mark scheme. Mark schemes show the exact points that earn marks and list accepted alternative answers. Track which topics and question types cost you the most marks across multiple sessions, then focus your remaining revision on those areas. Practising with papers from both January and Summer sessions gives you the broadest coverage of the specification.