26 Feb 2021
This update gives more detail on our June 2021 series. We have provided more information to help schools understand their options for support with exams, and an updated page about carry forward marks.
We have included an overview of our process for school-assessed grades using student work for the small number of countries and regions within countries where exams cannot take place.
Schools will also find a reminder about our deadlines for making entries and withdrawals, including an updated entry deadline for Cambridge Checkpoint.
Thank you for continuing to share your questions and suggestions with us. We are grateful for your input and continued support.
We will be in touch again next week.
Exams approach - for most countries worldwide
We continue to plan for exams to go ahead in June 2021 where it is permitted and safe. We know exams are the fairest and most accurate way of assessing students’ performance.
Understanding your options: routes to grades for June 2021
There are a number of options available to you and your candidates for June 2021. We appreciate it can be difficult to know which route to grades to choose, or how you can use different options at the same time.
- Our website
To make it easier to see what support is available, we have restructured the June 2021 area of our website https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/covid/june-2021-exam-series/
You can find out more about a particular route to grades (guidance for components, component adjustments, component exemptions and/or special consideration) and, if applicable, how to apply.
- Interactive guide
This interactive guide should help you understand the routes to grade options available for your candidates. Start by choosing one of the options to find out more about how that route works, how to use it, and how you might use other routes alongside it.
- Scenarios
We know that all our centres and candidates are facing different and changeable situations. The following scenarios are examples of how you might use the different routes to grades, depending on the specific situation your centre and candidates are experiencing.
- You enter candidates for a syllabus that has three components:
- Candidates are unable to prepare for component 1. You apply to exempt them from that component.
- Candidates sit the exam for component 2 on the timetabled date.
- Your country/region then goes into lockdown at short notice. The exam for component 3 will not be able to go ahead.
- You apply for special consideration – absent for an acceptable reason for all candidates due to sit the exam for component 3.
- We calculate assessed marks for components 1 and 3 and your candidates receive a syllabus grade.
- You enter candidates for a syllabus that has four components:
- You apply to use component adjustments for component 1 for some or all candidates to allow them to take the component in a way that is easier to manage.
- Candidates are unable to prepare for component 2. You apply to exempt them from that component.
- Candidates sit the exam for component 3 on the timetabled date.
- One of your candidates is affected on exam day for component 3 by adverse circumstances e.g. non-Covid related illness, injury or bereavement or by Covid-19 e.g. illness and/or self-isolation.
- You apply for special consideration – present but disadvantaged via Direct. If your application is accepted, we will adjust the candidate’s mark for component 3.
- Your country/region then goes into lockdown at short notice. The exam for component 4 will not be able to go ahead.
- You apply for special consideration – absent for an acceptable reason for all candidates due to take the exam for component 4.
- We calculate assessed marks for components 2 and 4 and your candidates receive a syllabus grade.
We know that our package of support and guidance does not explain every situation that you and your candidates may experience. If you still have questions about your route to grades, please contact us: info@cambridgeinternational.org.
Carrying forward marks
We have made some changes to our carry forwards webpage to make it easier to understand.
We understand many of you have questions about carrying forward marks from the June 2021 series, especially if you are not able to run exams. We will provide more information about the options available for candidates who were intending to take AS Level qualifications as soon as possible.
School assessment approach - for the small number of countries and regions where exams cannot take place
In countries, and regions of countries, where government directives mean that exams cannot take place, we are switching from exams to school-assessed grades using student work, so that students can progress despite the impact of the pandemic.
We said we would share more details with all schools. At this stage, we can provide an overview of our approach:
- We will ask the schools using this route to provide an assessed grade based on the level of achievement that each student has demonstrated.
- To assess this grade, schools should identify a portfolio of three substantial pieces of work from each student in every syllabus.
- Schools will be asked to submit grades to Cambridge International between mid-May and late June.
- We will ask schools to share details of the internal quality assurance processes they have followed while collating portfolios of student work, and when submitting assessed grades. Cambridge International will also carry out external quality assurance checks on grades.
You can find a more detailed overview of our approach to school-assessed grades here.
We will tell you more about this process in March. In our update next week, we will say more about how we will align school-assessed grades with grades assessed via exams.
Entries and withdrawals for 2021 series
Entry deadline for June 2021 exams – 7 March
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 you to make entries as early as possible, ideally before the deadline, even if you are uncertain of the situation in your country or region, so that we can make sure we get your questions papers to you on time.
If your circumstances change and you need to withdraw your entries because of Covid-19, you 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, you can make late entries and amendments until 17 April, although you will be charged a late fee under our usual rules.
Cambridge Checkpoint entry deadline - 28 February
We have extended the Cambridge Checkpoint May 2021 entry deadline from 21 February to 28 February 2021 (23:59 GMT) to allow you more time to submit your entries.
Make sure you submit your entries by 28 February 2021 (23:59 GMT) so we can get your question papers to you on time. If your circumstances change and you need to withdraw your entries because of Covid-19 you will receive a full credit, even up to seven days after the last date of the Cambridge Checkpoint test window.
If you work with us through another organisation, such as the British Council, please make sure you share this message with your Associate Schools.
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.
We wish everyone in the Cambridge International community well at this time.