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  • June 2021 exam series

June 2021 exam series

We plan for exams to go ahead in June 2021 where it is permitted and safe. This is the fairest and most accurate way of assessing candidates’ performance.

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. You can find more information on our school-assessed grades page.

You should try to deliver all exams, coursework, speaking and practical tests according to the syllabus requirements. However, we know that you are facing different challenges in managing teaching, learning and assessment. We have different options available to help you run exams in June 2021.

What is available?

  • Guidance — This helps teachers and candidates adapt to the current circumstances. This is available to everyone; you do not need to apply.
  • Adjustments — Candidates take the component in a way that is easier to manage. You need to apply to use these.
  • Exemptions — Candidates do not take a particular component but still receive an overall syllabus grade. You need to apply to use these.
  • Special consideration — We adjust a candidate’s mark to allow for adverse or unexpected circumstances. You apply for this.

There is flexibility in how you use these options. You may choose one or more options for your candidates, but later change to another option if your situation changes. For example, you may have candidates doing a syllabus which has three components:

  • Component 1: You apply for an exemption.
  • Component 2: Your candidates sit the exam for this component at your centre.
  • Component 3: Your centre then closes at short notice because of Covid-19. Candidates are unable to sit the exam for component 3. You apply for special consideration – absent for an acceptable reason.

How do I know which option(s) are best for my candidates?

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. To make it easier to see what support is available, this June 2021 area of our website has information about each of the routes to grades (guidance for components, component adjustments, component exemptions and/or special consideration) and, if applicable, how to apply.

There is also an interactive guide to help you understand the routes to grades. 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.

There is flexibility in how you use these options. You may choose one or more options for your candidates, but later change to another option if your situation changes.

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.

  • Scenario 1
    • 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.
  • Scenario 2
    • 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.
      • 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.

Guidance on running exams

Our guide, for exams officers and heads of centre, will help you run June 2021 exams safely and securely. Use this, as well as the guidance in our current Cambridge Handbook, when planning the exams in your centre. To make it easier to use and understand, we have structured the guide around the phases of the Cambridge Exams Cycle.

Guidance on running exams in the June 2021 series (PDF, 346KB)

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