The information on this page is for centres and approved Cambridge exam providers who are considering accepting private candidates.
What is a ‘private candidate’?
Private candidates come from a variety of backgrounds. They may be home-schooled or studying independently. A private candidate is someone who does not attend your centre, but who asks to enter one or more Cambridge exams via your centre.
An increasing number of private candidates already attend an approved and fully registered Cambridge International online school. Candidates from around the world study at our Cambridge International online schools for several reasons – many cannot physically attend a centre because their family travels frequently, or for medical or social reasons. Most of our registered online centres do not have exam venues (a premises or building where candidates can sit their exams) so candidates wishing to sit exams apply to a ‘physical’ centre to enter exams as a private candidate.
For more information about private candidates, see section 2 of the Cambridge Handbook.
Entering private candidates for exams
Why should we consider accepting private candidates?
We encourage centres to take private candidates to support the wider community of Cambridge schools and increase access to higher education for all Cambridge learners. The additional income you generate from accepting private candidates contributes to your annual fee waiver.
What do I need to do if my centre accepts private candidates?
Private candidates make their own arrangements with your centre and liaise directly with you, not with us , for all exam-related administration and queries. You are responsible for making the correct entries for the candidate and for completing all other relevant exam administration throughout the Cambridge exams cycle.
Private candidates must be able to meet the full requirements of any assessment for which they are entered. They cannot enter for any syllabuses that include the submission of coursework.
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