27 Mar 2020
Further to our announcement of 23 March on our decision not to hold our international examinations in the May/June 2020 series in any country, this update provides further information.
Providing grades for students
We know how important it is to schools to have clarity on what happens next.
We will be working with schools worldwide to ensure that the subject grades earned by the students represent their achievement levels as set out by rigorous Cambridge programme standards. Schools will be asked to collaborate with us to ensure that candidates’ grades are based on a range of evidence. We will provide an update with more detail on 31 March.
We understand that schools need clarity about the process we will follow to provide grades, how we will involve teachers in this process, and the administrative tasks and deadlines schools will need to follow to ensure that candidates receive the grades they deserve.
Cambridge International is strongly placed to provide a fair and recognised assessment of students’ level of knowledge and understanding. However, we want to make sure that we develop the most fair and reliable process possible in these uniquely challenging circumstances.
Although we do not have all the answers right now, we want to reassure you that we will provide the information and guidance you need to navigate this change successfully as soon as possible. Grades we provide will carry the same currency as they have in any other year.
Other frequently asked questions
Many schools are asking other questions, too. We are regularly updating our Information for schools page with more information on topics including:
- October/November series: schools can enter candidates for this exam series from mid-May. We are reviewing if it will be possible to provide syllabuses in this series which are currently only available in the May/June series. We will update schools before 10 April.
- What to do with question paper packets for the May/June exam series when they arrive: see our full advice in the FAQ.
- Questions on coursework: please retain all coursework. We are happy for you to continue to receive coursework from students where it is safe to do so. You do not need to send it to us. We will update you further next week.
- Cambridge Checkpoint: The May 2020 test series for Checkpoint will no longer go ahead. As an alternative, schools can access our Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Progression Tests and mark schemes to support their students.
These are available for English, English as a Second Language, Mathematics and Science. If you have made entries for the May 2020 test series, you need do nothing further at this point. We will withdraw your Checkpoint entries automatically and credit your account for the entries you made.
We are adding more information to this page over the coming days.
Private candidates
Many schools have asked about private candidates, whose futures are just as important to us as those working directly via schools. Private candidates take exams in different contexts and we are working out arrangements for them. Our next update will be on 31 March.
University recognition
The grades and qualifications that Cambridge International awards for this May/June series will carry the same value as grades and qualifications for any other series.
We are working closely with universities around the world to inform them of our decision to not to hold the exams in the May/June series. Universities understand that this decision was a last resort for Cambridge and they realise that this unprecedented step was taken in the interest of our learners.
Universities have informed us that they are committed to being as flexible as they can towards applicants who will not be able to sit their exams due to this crisis. Universities are committed to making every effort to ensure that applicants are not disadvantaged in any way by the decision not to go ahead with the June series. We are working closely with universities to ensure that the grades are accepted in the usual way.
Support for teaching and learning
We know that schools are doing outstanding work to deliver teaching remotely, and to support students and their families. We understand how important it is to keep students engaged and motivated, and for them to continue to feel connected their teachers, schools and fellow students.
We want to do everything we can to support schools in these efforts and have published a Teaching and learning when school is closed section on our website.
The section signposts you to:
- Tools to support remote teaching and learning
- Resources for you and your learners including tips for students and parents on managing stress and learning effectively at home
- E-books from Cambridge publishing partners
- Webinars and training (curating other offers and uploading our own).
We are talking with schools about what else we can do to support them with each new challenge this situation presents and will add more content to this area over the coming weeks.