QCE External Exam Timetable (QLD) 2026
QCE external exam dates 2026 for Queensland from the official QCAA timetable: dates by subject and paper, morning or afternoon session, and revision links.
QCAA has published the 2026 external assessment timetable for General and General (Extension) subjects. The assessment window runs from Monday 26 October to Tuesday 17 November 2026, and final Year 12 results are released on Wednesday 16 December 2026. The table below lists the date and session of each external assessment for major QLD subjects; Science and Mathematics subjects sit two 90-minute papers.
QCAA has published the 2026 external assessment window, the detailed timetable and the Year 12 results date.
The table below shows the dates and sessions from QCAA’s published 2026 external assessment timetable (June 2026). QCAA lists each assessment as a morning or afternoon session with its working and reading time, not a clock time. If two of your assessments clash in one session, QCAA allocates you to the other session on the same day. Timetable data © State of Queensland (QCAA) 2026, used under CC BY 4.0.
Official Source: QCAA external assessment timetable
Last checked against official sources: 14 September 2026
Key Dates
What actually gets examined
Before the date arrives, see where the marks have sat in the official papers — every question counted by unit, topic and marks, with what the markers wanted.
Exam Dates by Subject
Dates sourced from Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Check the official timetable for exact session times.
Study Tips
Understand the EA Weighting
Check your subject before you plan around this. For most General subjects the external assessment is worth 25% of your overall result, so your IAs carry more weight. But every Science and Mathematics subject — Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, General Maths, Maths Methods and Specialist Maths — is a 50/50 split, sat as two 90-minute papers. In those subjects the EA weighs exactly as much as all three IAs combined.
Review the EA Specifications
QCAA publishes external assessment specifications for each subject. These outline exactly what content will be assessed, the question format, and the marking criteria. Use them as your revision blueprint.
Practise with Past Papers
QCAA releases sample and past external assessment papers. Work through these under timed conditions to familiarise yourself with the format and question style.
Balance IA and EA Preparation
Don’t neglect your internal assessments while preparing for the EA. A strong IA performance across all three instruments provides a solid foundation that the EA result supplements.
Use Practice Exams
Simulate real QCE EA conditions with Revizi’s online test mode. Practice MCQ, short answer and extended response questions under timed conditions — then review your results to target weak topics before assessment day.
More Exam Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
When do QCE external exams start in 2026?
Queensland’s 2026 QCE external assessments start on Monday 26 October with Economics and run to Tuesday 17 November 2026, according to QCAA. Mathematical Methods, on Friday 13 November, is the last of the major subjects listed on this page. See the subject exam dates table for each major subject.
Has the QCAA external assessment timetable for 2026 been released?
Yes. QCAA published the 2026 external assessment timetable in June 2026. The subject exam dates table above lists the date and morning or afternoon session for major subjects; use the official QCAA timetable (linked above) for every other subject.
When are QCE results released in 2026?
QCAA releases final Year 12 results and Senior Education Profiles from 9am Wednesday 16 December 2026. QTAC then releases 2026 ATARs from 9am Friday 18 December 2026, with the ATAR appeals window open from 18 December 2026 to 31 January 2027.
How much is the external assessment worth?
For most General subjects, the external assessment contributes 25% of the overall subject result, with the remaining 75% coming from three internal assessments (IA1, IA2, IA3). Science and Mathematics subjects are different: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics are all weighted 50% external and 50% internal, and their external assessment is sat as two 90-minute papers. Check the QCAA syllabus for your specific subject.
What format are QCE external assessments?
The format varies by subject. Common formats include multiple-choice questions, short response questions, extended response essays, and problem-solving tasks. QCAA publishes external assessment specifications detailing the exact format for each subject.
Where can I find exact QCE subject exam times?
QCAA’s timetable gives each external assessment a morning or afternoon session rather than a clock time. Check with your school for start times. The table above lists the session for major subjects; use the official QCAA timetable (linked above) for every other subject.
What’s the best way to prepare for QCE exams?
The most effective QCE exam prep combines spaced repetition flashcards for content recall with timed practice assessments for exam technique. Use Revizi’s practice exams to simulate EA conditions, focus on QCAA cognitive verbs (describe, explain, analyse, evaluate), and use your IA results to identify which topics need more work.
Last updated: 14 September 2026 · Content aligned to the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority