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  • Component exemptions

Component exemptions

What is an exemption?

Put simply, by using an exemption candidates do not take the component but can still receive an overall syllabus grade. You can apply for exemptions until 17 April 2021 if you are not able to prepare candidates because of Covid-19 disruption.

Candidates may not be able to work with others, or access certain facilities or equipment. This means they may be unable to complete a component. Therefore, you can apply for some or all of your candidates to be exempt from that component.

If we accept your application and your candidates complete all the other components in the syllabus option, we will calculate an assessed mark for the exempted component and issue a syllabus grade.

What exemptions are available?

  • See this factsheet for an explanation of the Covid-19 exemptions (PDF, 112KB).
  • Here is the list of components eligible for a Covid-19 exemption (PDF, 163KB).

How do I apply for exemptions?

You can apply for exemptions for the June 2021 series until 17 April 2021. The application form is available from the ‘Support Materials’ area of Direct. After 17 April, we will ask you to confirm which candidates you would like to exempt from which component(s).

The video below walks through the application form, section by section.

VIDEO: Guidance on how to apply for exemptions. 前往优酷观看 View on YouKu

Exemption regulations supplement

Our supplement outlines Covid-19 exemption regulations for the June 2021 series. You must use this, as well as the Cambridge Handbook, if you are running exams.

Covid-19 exemption regulations supplement for the June 2021 exam series (PDF, 189KB)

See below for specific guidance about exemptions for Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English.

  • IGCSE Literature in English 0475, IGCSE 9–1 Literature in English 0992
    • If candidates cannot complete the entire course content, you should apply for an exemption for the component you have not been able to teach. We recommend that candidates should only be exempted from component 1 as a last resort. In the first instance, you should try to exempt candidates from component 2, 3, 4 or 5. We do not recommend exemptions from component 1 because this assesses two out of the three genres covered by the whole syllabus. You may have to change your usual entry option to make sure this flexibility meets the needs of your teachers and candidates. You must be able to justify why you are applying for an exemption from any component.

      There are no compulsory components but candidates must be assessed in at least 50% of the syllabus. Calculating an assessed mark using less than 50% of the assessment means candidates risk receiving a grade that does not reflect their capabilities.

      Candidates cannot answer on just part of a component. For example, if they are sitting Component 1, Poetry and prose, they must answer on both the poetry and prose sections.

      You can find the entry option codes that match the combination of components your candidates enter below and in the ‘Cambridge Guide to making entries’, available on Cambridge International Direct.

      • A Components 1 and 2 – Poetry and prose, Drama
      • B Components 1, 3 and 4 – Poetry and prose, Drama (open text), Unseen
      • C Components 1, 3 and 5 – Poetry and prose, Drama (open text), Coursework
      • D Components 1, 3 and 5 – Poetry and prose, Drama (open text), Coursework carried forward

      Please see section 5.5.3 of the Cambridge Handbook for more information.

Frequently asked questions

  • Do all students need to be exempt from the same component(s)?
    • No. You can select individuals or groups of students for exemption from a component. This allows flexibility in circumstances that may not affect all students – for example, if some students are learning remotely and others learning in your centre.

  • Do we need to supply evidence for the exemptions?
    • When applying for exemptions, you must tell us why your students cannot take the full assessment. We are not asking for further evidence. However, you must have explored how you could prepare candidates for the full assessment before you apply for a Covid-19 exemption.

  • What is the method of assessing a grade in the case of exemptions?
    • If your candidates complete other components in the syllabus, we will calculate an assessed mark for the exempted component. An assessed mark is an estimated mark based on the candidate’s performance in other components in the same syllabus in the current series. We combine this with the marks they gained in the components they were able to sit and produce a syllabus grade. The weighting of each component remains unchanged.

  • Can we withdraw from the exemption if the need arises?
    • If you are using one or more approved Covid-19 exemptions but your circumstances change and you can prepare students for a component, then you can withdraw from an exemption. Email us before the exam is taken at covidexemptions@cambridgeinternational.org with the subject line ‘June 2021 Covid-19 exemptions’ and an explanation of your request.

  • Will our candidates be disadvantaged by requesting exemptions?
    • No. We will make sure all students receive a grade that reflects their attainment.

  • How did you use our feedback on the initial list of components?
    • We asked schools to send us your feedback on our initial list of components that would be eligible for Covid-19 exemptions. The list of components eligible for a Covid-19 exemption above was updated in response to that feedback and we have published our response to your feedback here (PDF, 339KB).

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