The University of Cambridge formed the ‘Local Examinations Syndicate’, now known as Cambridge Assessment, over 150 years ago. Its aim was to raise standards in education by administering exams for people who were not members of the University and inspecting schools.
For the first time in 1858, 370 school candidates in 7 English cities sat exams set by the University of Cambridge. Today this has risen to more than 8 million candidates a year in 160 countries. The Syndicate began examining internationally in 1864, and this aspect of its work grew quickly.
In 1998 the Syndicate created a new structure, leading to the establishment of three exam boards:
The Syndicate adopted the brand name ‘Cambridge Assessment’ in 2005. Cambridge Assessment operates the University’s three exam boards and carries out leading-edge and operational research in assessment in education. It is a not-for-profit organisation.