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    • Multiple-choice answer sheets for foreign languages
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    • Right-to-left answer booklets for foreign languages
  • Phase 5 - Exam day
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    • Multiple-choice answer sheets
    • Right-to-left answer booklets for foreign languages
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  • Right-to-left answer booklets for foreign languages

Right-to-left answer booklets for foreign languages

A new answer booklet has been designed for languages which are written and read from right to left, such as Arabic and Urdu, to improve the candidate experience for exams in these subjects.

Two things are new for centres:

  1. The introduction of a right-to-left answer booklet for candidates (our generic answer booklet is left to right).
  2. The right-to-left answer booklet will be inserted into the question paper so, when the candidate opens the question paper on exam day, the answer booklet will be included. Candidates must answer on the new right-to-left answer booklet. (We already insert generic answer booklets into question papers; it’s only the right-to-left answer booklet, not the process, that’s new.)

Below are some FAQs and a sample right-to-left answer booklet and right-to-left continuation booklet.

  • Which foreign language exams does it affect?
    • From the June 2021 series, candidates sitting the following Cambridge exams will submit their answers on a right-to-left answer booklet. (Where component ‘03’ or ‘04’ is mentioned, it includes all variants of component ‘03’ or ‘04’ where applicable. For example, 32, 34 or 41, 43).

      June 2021 series

      • 8680/03 - Cambridge International AS & A Level Arabic
      • 8686/03 - Cambridge International AS & A Level Urdu
      • 9676/03/04 - Cambridge International AS & A Level Urdu
      • 9680/03/04 - Cambridge International AS & A Level Arabic
      • 9686/03/04 - Cambridge International AS & A Level Urdu (Pakistan)

      November 2021 series

      • 8680/03 - Cambridge International AS & A Level Arabic Language
      • 9680/03/04 - Cambridge International AS & A Level Arabic
  • On which page of the booklet should candidates start writing their answers?
    • Candidates should fill in their candidate details on the front page of the booklet. They should start writing their answers in the top right-hand corner of page 2. When candidates open their question paper, they will see the back page of the booklet. They should remove the booklet from the question paper and turn it over to view and fill in the front cover.

  • What if a candidate makes a mistake and starts writing on the wrong page?
    • Candidates should write the question number for each question in the margin on the right-hand side of each page. If an answer is split over two pages, this should be made very clear by labelling in the margin which question number the response is for.

  • If a candidate completes the booklet and needs more paper, what should they do?
    • Candidates should request a continuation booklet. They must use the new right-to-left continuation booklet. You should have a supply of the right-to-left continuation booklets in your non-confidential despatch.

  • Can candidates continue to use the centre’s own answer booklet?
    • No. Candidates must use the new right-to-left answer booklet and right-to-left continuation booklet provided by Cambridge International.

  • How can I tell if a booklet has been designed for right-to-left writing?
    • The booklet has the title ‘right-to-left answer booklet’. The continuation booklet has the title ‘right-to-left continuation booklet’. There is an image of an arrow pointing left on the front and back covers of both booklets to help you know which ones to use.

  • What do the right-to-left answer booklet and right-to-left continuation booklet look like?
    • Below are examples of the right-to-left answer booklet and continuation booklet.

      Right-to-left answer booklet

      Right-to-left continuation booklet

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