Changes for the 2021 Cambridge Handbook

For 2021 we have made changes to some of our regulations and procedures. The table below lists some of the main changes and where you can find more information in the Handbook. Please look out for the NEW icon for details of all changes.

Throughout the Handbook

Subject	Changes	Page/Section
Covid-19 pandemic	The handbook relates to our usual regulations and guidance for administering Cambridge exams. It does not include any changes to our processes which we have made because of the Covid-19 pandemic.	Throughout
UK leaving the European Union	The UK’s transition period to leaving the European Union ends on 31 December 2020. The effect of this is uncertain but we recommend sending exam scripts as soon as possible, using a reputable courier, and with an express service.	Throughout

Responsibilities

Subject	Changes	Page/Section
Exam administration	New requirement to make sure candidates understand the security window for confidential exam material.	D9
Copyright in exam material	Now includes electronic distribution of question papers and other materials.	L2

Key Times and Full Centre Supervision

Subject	Changes	Page/Section
Full Centre Supervision	Updated guidance that candidates must not look at books and notes on an electronic device during Full Centre Supervision.	p20

Preparation

Subject	Changes	Page/Section
Exams officer training	New information on our training for exam officers, including webinars and self-study courses.	1.1.13
Multiple-choice answer sheets for Modern Foreign Languages	New arrangements for language listening exams in Cambridge IGCSE French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Arabic; and Cambridge O Level French, German, and Spanish, using multiple-choice answer sheets. Candidates will not submit the answers on the question paper, and will have six minutes at the end of the test to transfer their answers.	1.1.1.4 / page 95
eSubmission and Secure Exchange	Details of the phased introduction of the eSubmission service to replace Secure Exchange.	1.1.7
Additional sittings for large numbers of candidates	Change of description from ‘extra sittings’ to ‘additional sittings’. New requirement to provide details of how you will keep confidential material secure between sittings when you hold additional sittings.	1.2.4
Evidence of candidate’s need	Additional information on providing a Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting.	1.3.4
Principles of access arrangements	Clarification that people providing assistance to a candidate must be appointed and managed by the Head of Centre.	1.3.5
Extra time	Updated guidance for candidates requiring extra time. New requirement to submit details of speaking test arrangements using an Access Arrangements Cover Sheet (Exam Day – Form 4).	1.3.7.5
Scribe	New options for supporting written exams testing spelling, punctuation, grammar and language.	1.3.7.11
Supplementary aids	More detailed guidance on the use of supplementary aids, previously called ‘visual aids’.	1.3.7.13
Transcript	New details on the use of a transcript of a listening CD.	1.3.7.14

Entries

Subject	Changes	Page/Section
Final entries	All centres in administrative zone 3 can make entries for our 9–1 Cambridge IGCSEs.	2.3

Coursework and moderation

Subject	Changes	Page/Section
Outline Proposal Forms	For entries for 2021 series, Outline Proposal Forms are required for Cambridge International AS & A Level Drama (9482/04) in addition to existing subjects. From 2022, we will withdraw Outline Proposal Forms (OPFs) from all syllabuses.	3.1
Authenticating examined coursework	Additional guidance on suspected plagiarism and malpractice.	3.3.1
Non-coursework tests - Timetabling	New exemption for timetabling of non-coursework test regulations for Cambridge IGCSE Bahasa Indonesia (0538/03), Chinese as a Second Language (0523/02), or Urdu as a Second Language (0539).	3.4.1 and 3.4.6
Collecting the evidence of candidate performance	Clarification that you do not need to provide a separate quiet preparation area for candidates taking Cambridge IGCSE Bahasa Indonesia (0538/03), Chinese as a Second Language (0523/02), or Urdu as a Second Language (0539). New guidance on using a mobile phone to record speaking tests.	3.4.9
How to submit marks	We no longer provide printed Internal Assessment Mark Sheets (MS1s) in your pre-exam despatch. You must submit marks using Direct.	3.5.1
Submitting internally assessed coursework and non-coursework tests - How to submit the samples	New requirement to submit an Access Arrangements Cover Sheet (Exam Day – Form 4) with the sample when a candidate has used an access arrangement for their internally assessed coursework or non-coursework test.	3.6.3
Submitting Cambridge Global Perspectives™ work	Candidate work for Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives (0457), Cambridge O Level Global Perspectives (2069) and Cambridge International AS & A Level Global Perspectives & Research (9239) should now be submitted using eSubmission instead of Secure Exchange.	3.7

Before the exam

Subject	Changes	Page/Section
How to submit forecast grades	We no longer provide printed Forecast Grade Forms in your pre-exam despatch. You must submit marks using Direct.	4.1.1
Pre-exam and question paper despatches	New advice on downloading exam materials from the School Support Hub and Digital File Despatch services.	4.2
Receiving question paper despatches	New requirement to immediately reseal damaged exam packets after taking photographs as evidence.	4.3 / 5.1.8.1
Storing confidential materials	New advice that each key holder should be able to access the exam materials independently, in case other key holders are not available.	4.4.2
Preparing the exam room – written exams	New exemption to sitting in candidate order when using access arrangements. Clarification that candidates being disturbed by the administration of another exam in the room is not a reason for special consideration.	4.5.3.2
Preparing the exam room – seating plan	New requirement to update seating plans during each exam.	4.5.3.4 / 5.1.4
Invigilator requirements – numbers	New specific guidance for Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science (9618).	4.6 / 5.7.4

Exam day

Subject	Changes	Page/Section
At the beginning of the exam – extra guidance	New information on our training for exam officers, including webinars and self-study courses.	5.1
Seating plan	New requirement to update seating plans during each exam.	4.5.3.4 / 5.1.4
Unauthorised materials	Updated advice to consider areas like washrooms that may be accessed by a candidate during an exam. New advice to contact us if candidates require medical monitoring devices in the exam room.	5.1.7.2
Starting the exam	New requirement that you must collect the blue question paper packets from secure storage as close to the start of the exam as possible. New requirement for two staff to check that the details on the label on the outer blue packet are correct, and to check the packet for any damage, before opening it.	5.1.8
Multiple-choice answer sheets for foreign language listening exams	New arrangements for language listening exams in Cambridge IGCSE French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Arabic; and Cambridge O Level French, German, and Spanish, using multiple-choice answer sheets. Candidates will not submit the answers on the question paper, and will have six minutes at the end of the test to transfer their answers.	1.1.14 / p95
At the end of the exam - the 24-hour security rule	Specific guidance for practical tests for Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science (9618) and Cambridge IGCSE ICT (0417) and 9–1 (0983).	5.3.2
Packing scripts	Clarification that you must never tape script packets together which contain different components.	5.4.1
Unacceptable reasons for special consideration	Clarification that candidates being disturbed by the administration of another exam in the room is not a reason for special consideration.	5.5.4
Candidate malpractice	Updated advice that candidate malpractice may include talking or attempting to talk to other candidates, and handling fake exam material.	5.6.1
Centre staff malpractice	Updated advice that centre staff malpractice may include not storing exam material securely.	5.6.2
Malpractice outcomes	New requirement that centres should keep records of malpractice outcomes and share them with new members of staff where appropriate.	5.6.7
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level and Cambridge International AS & A Level listening exams - Checking recorded material	New requirement that the candidates’ subject teacher should not be the person who checks the sound quality of the CD.	5.7.2.1
Cambridge ICT and IT practical tests	Guidance in this section now also applies to Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science (9618), in addition to Cambridge IGCSE ICT (0417) and Cambridge International AS & A Level Information Technology (9626). New requirements on storage and handling of candidates’ work and question papers.	5.7.4 5.7.4.6

Results and certificates

Subject	Changes	Page/Section
How to submit an enquiry about results	Clarification that you cannot request multiple enquiry services for the same candidate for one syllabus.	6.3.2
Incorrect details on certificates	New guidance on how to request a replacement statement of results, and more detail on when we will charge for replacement certificates and statements.	6.4.2

Regulations and guidance

Subject	Changes	Page/Section
Stage 2 appeal meeting participants – centre representatives	New arrangements for attending appeals meetings remotely.	7.5.2.3

A-Z of terms

Subject	Changes	Page/Section
eSubmission	New entry: eSubmission is available for some syllabuses that require examined or moderated components to be digitally transferred to us, replacing Secure Exchange.	p146

To view the Cambridge Handbook 2021 in full please visit our Cambridge exams officers guide page.

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