PECTAA. Results and Exam Guide

PECTAA supplementary exam for Grade 5 and Grade 8

A second chance for students who missed the pass mark in one or two subjects. Here is who qualifies, which papers you re-sit, how to apply, and when the result comes.

Last checked September 2026 Applied for through your school
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What the supplementary exam is

The annual result marks a student "Pass" only if they reach at least 33% in every subject. A student who clears most subjects but falls short in one or two is not failed for the whole year — instead, the board holds a supplementary examination a few months later. The student re-sits only the papers they missed. A pass there gives a full result and the student moves up with their class.

Who is eligible

  • Marked Fail in one or more subjects on the annual result.
  • Attended the annual exam — a student who was absent for a paper follows a different route.
  • No unfair-means case recorded against the candidate.

The result notification usually states the maximum number of subjects a student may carry into the supplementary. Check that limit against your result card.

Which papers you re-sit

Only the subjects you failed. The marks in your passed subjects stand — you do not sit them again, and you cannot re-sit a passed subject to improve the grade in this exam. The syllabus and paper pattern are the same as the annual exam.

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How to apply

  1. Check the result and the deadline

    The annual result notification gives a window for supplementary applications — often just a couple of weeks.

  2. Tell your school straight away

    The school fills the supplementary form, lists the failed subjects and pays the fee at the designated bank.

  3. Collect the new roll number slip

    The board issues a fresh slip for the supplementary papers, with the centre and reporting time.

  4. Sit the papers and check the result

    The supplementary result comes a few weeks after those papers, and a pass updates the full result.

When it is held

  1. Annual result declared
    Around April for the 2026 cycle.
  2. Supplementary applications
    A short window right after the result — schools submit forms and fees.
  3. Supplementary papers
    Usually later in the same year; dates in a separate notification.
  4. Supplementary result
    A few weeks after the papers; a pass gives a full result.

If the supplementary is not cleared

The student repeats the year in that class. It is worth speaking to the school and, if needed, the District Education Authority early — they can explain the options rather than leaving it to the last minute.

Supplementary exam questions

A student marked Fail in one or more subjects in the annual exam, who attended and had no unfair-means case. Passed subjects are carried forward; only the failed papers are re-sat.
Through your school. It submits the supplementary form and fee to the board within the window on the result notification. Parents do not apply directly.
A few months after the annual result, usually later in the same year. The exact dates come in a separate notification.
The student repeats the year in that class. Speak to the school and the district education office early about the options.

Related pages

Check resultSee the annual result first Roll number slipA fresh slip for the re-sit SyllabusSame as the annual paper Past & model papersFocused practice

A note on accuracy. PECTAA Results and Exam Guide is an independent website, not run by or affiliated with the authority. Supplementary rules, subject limits and dates are set fresh each year. Always follow the result notification and your school's instructions.