Preparing a portfolio of evidence in case exams cannot take place
In June 2022, it is our intention that all schools take exams where it is safe and permitted to do so. We know that exams are the fairest and most accurate way of assessing candidates’ performance. We have a package of measures to support schools as they prepare for exams. We will also be able to issue an exam grade to all students who have sat exams in at least one eligible component, if they miss other exams for an acceptable reason.
As explained on 30 September in countries and regions of countries, where exams cannot take place, we will ask schools to submit a portfolio of three substantial pieces of evidence for each student. This will be marked by Cambridge International examiners. The portfolio of evidence replaces the school-assessed grade approach.
Our guidance Collecting a portfolio of evidence for the June 2022 series (PDF, 417KB) explains the types of work that can be included in the portfolio and gives advice about when and how to gather this work. Given the uncertainty that still surrounds the pandemic, we recommend that schools have a portfolio in place for their students, in electronic form, by the start of the exam series.
The Rationale document
Each centre must complete a Rationale document for each syllabus, explaining in detail how the portfolios of evidence have been compiled for each candidate. We will ask you to submit a digital copy of the Rationale document to us alongside your candidates’ portfolios of evidence.
You can download Rationale document templates below in the format that best suits you and your teachers. We can accept submissions in Word or PDF.
Rationale document (Word) (DOC, 89KB)
Rationale document (PDF) (PDF, 263KB)
We will publish exemplar Rationale documents in early 2022, so that you can see the level of detail needed for our examiners to fully understand the work.
When to submit portfolios of evidence
The timetable for submitting portfolios of evidence and their accompanying Rationale documents will be aligned with the exam timetable for June 2022, so that we can mark them at the same time.
You will be able to submit portfolios of evidence from 2 May 2022. For some syllabuses, portfolios of evidence will need to be submitted to us by 18 May. Syllabuses examined later in the exam series will have later submission deadlines. View the full list of submission deadlines (PDF, 154KB).
Carrying forward marks on the portfolio of evidence route
Our guidance Carrying forward within the portfolio of evidence (PDF, 177KB) explains which kinds of assessments we will be able to carry forward within the portfolio of evidence route. The guidance document also explains the different approaches to carrying forward AS Level components to A Level when using the portfolio of evidence route.
Information for parents and students
To support you if you need to move to the portfolio of evidence approach, we have published guidance for schools to share with students and their parents. This guidance (PDF, 105KB) explains what the portfolio of evidence is, what it can include, and how pieces of work in the portfolio will be marked by Cambridge International examiners.