05 Mar 2021
This week’s update includes our new online guide to running exams safely and securely, as well as a reminder about our deadlines for making entries and withdrawals.
We have also included more information about our approach to standards for June 2021, and how we will align grades across exam and school-assessed grade routes in a fair way.
We would like to thank schools for continuing to share questions and suggestions with us, and for their input and continued support.
We will be in touch again next week.
Guide to running exams – June 2021
Our guide, for exams officers and heads of centre, will help schools run exams safely and securely. Schools should use this guide, as well as our current Cambridge Handbook, when planning exams. To make it easier to use and understand, we have structured it around the phases of the Cambridge Exams Cycle
Setting and aligning standards in the June 2021 series
Our priorities during this uncertain time are keeping students and school staff safe, and helping students to progress with their education in the fairest way possible.
Students taking Cambridge International exams will not be systematically advantaged or disadvantaged compared to students whose grades are determined using school assessment.
In this document, we set out the rationale for our approach to assessment in June 2021, including:
- how we will set and align standards for exam grades and school-assessed grades
- the role of grade inflation
- the transparency of our approach
- an update on university recognition.
Making entries and withdrawals
Entry deadline for June 2021 exams – 7 March 2021
As we said last week, we have extended the June 2021 first-time entry deadline from 21 February to 7 March 2021 (23:59 GMT)* to give schools more time to work out what is right for their situation.
We strongly encourage schools to make entries as early as possible, ideally before the deadline, even if they are uncertain of the situation in their country or region, so that we can make sure we get their questions papers to them on time.
If a school’s circumstances change and they need to withdraw their entries because of Covid-19, they will receive a full credit. This applies even up to seven days after the final exam of the syllabus affected.
*apart from countries with whom we have arranged an earlier deadline.
Late entries
After 7 March, schools can make late entries and amendments until 17 April, although they will be charged a late fee under our usual rules.
Staying in touch
You can find all our advice on our Covid-19 information page.
If you have any questions, you can review our frequently asked questions, or contact us via our Help website. For British Council Partner Schools, please contact your local British Council representative.
We wish everyone in the Cambridge International community well at this time.