Before the exam
Make sure you prepare candidates and invigilators. Show them a sample multiple-choice answer sheet and a specimen question paper. If they are taking a listening exam, explain about the time they have to transfer their answers.
Check you have enough multiple-choice answer sheets. We’ll send you the correct ones before the exam, pre-printed with the candidate name, candidate number and centre number. If you don’t have one for all your candidates, download a multiple-choice answer sheet from our administrative forms page. [link: administrative forms] Make sure to download and use the correct supplementary multiple-choice answer sheet for the syllabus.
In the exam
You must give the candidate everything at the start of the test – the question paper and the multiple-choice answer sheet.
For listening exams, we recommend candidates first answer on the question paper, but they must submit their final answers on the multiple-choice answer sheet. For reading exams, candidates can work through the paper at their own pace and check their answers. We recommend that candidates answer directly on the multiple-choice answer sheet. They do not need any time to transfer their answers.
Transferring answers for listening exams
At the end of the exam, candidates have 6 minutes to transfer their answers from the question paper onto the multiple-choice answer sheet, and to check they’ve done this correctly. The transfer time is included in the length of the exam and in the recorded material we provide for listening exams.
Your invigilators must check that candidates are transferring their answers during the 6 minutes provided. You must allow candidates the full time for the exam.
Final answers
For both listening and reading exams, the answer on the multiple-choice answer sheet will be taken as the final one, so candidates should check carefully. They can amend answers by rubbing their answer out and shading a different option.
We will not accept any enquiries about results based on question papers.
After the exam
Send us the multiple-choice answer sheets - including those for absent or withdrawn candidates - using the script packet envelope we provide.
Do not send us the question papers. You should collect them at the end of the exam and store them securely until at least 24 hours after the end of the exam or Key Time, whichever is later. [H2] Extra guidance for AS and A Level exams
The multiple-choice answer sheets for AS and A Level exams are different to the others. Find out what’s different and how to use them. [Link: Multiple choice answer sheet for Cambridge International AS & A Level]
Candidates with access needs
If a candidate has an access arrangement that gives them extra time in their exam, they’ll also have the same percentage of extra time to transfer their answers. For example, if they get 25% extra time for the exam, they also get 25% extra time to transfer their answers from the question paper to the multiple-choice answer sheet.
If a candidate needs other types of access arrangements, such as help transferring their answers onto the multiple-choice answer sheet, please contact so that we can help confirm these arrangements. [link: contact details]