Global Listening

Arabic (0544/11, 12, 13)

Chinese as a Second Language (0523/02)

English as a Second Language (0465/02)

English as a Second Language (0510/21, 22, 23)

English as a Second Language (0511/21, 22, 23)

English as an Additional Language (0472/11, 12)

French (0520/11, 12, 13)

German (0525/11, 12, 13)

Italian (0535/11, 12, 13)

Malay (0546/11, 12, 13)

Mandarin Chinese (0547/11, 12, 13)

Spanish (0530/11, 12, 13)

Swahili (0262/02)

Urdu as a Second Language (0539/02)

English as a Second Language (0991/21, 22)

English as a Second Language (0993/21, 22)

French (7156/11, 12)

German (7159/12)

Italian (7164/12)

Spanish (7160/12)

Chinese Language (8283/12)

French Language (8028/11, 12, 13)

German Language (8027/11, 12, 13)

Music (9483/11, 12, 13)

Spanish Language (8022/11, 12, 13)

English as a Second Language (0057/02)

English as a Second Language (0876/02)

We know that it is sometimes difficult for centres to access equipment to play CDs. Digital audio files are more sustainable, do not rely on courier services, or have to go through customs. Audio files are also far less likely to become damaged or to reduce in quality.

Yes. We have produced an administrative guide which explains how to access Global Listening and how to securely download, store and use audio files.

For the June and November series, audio files are available to download seven calendar days before the listening test.

For Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Checkpoint, audio files are available to download seven days before the start of the test window.

Once downloaded, you must store files securely, so they are not accessible to unauthorised users. If you have not downloaded files 24 hours before the test date, we will send you an email reminder.

If you a Cambridge Associate, we will email you if any of your Associate Centre’s files have not been downloaded.

Audio files are available to download up to 72 hours after the Key Time for the test or 72 hours after the Cambridge Checkpoint test window ends.

There is no limit to how many times an audio file can be downloaded.

The name of the audio file contains the syllabus name and number, component number, qualification type and exam series. You should check this information matches your entry information for each syllabus and component.

We give access to this service to just one person in your centre, and this is to your main contact, usually your exams officer. They will be the only person from your centre who can log in to Global Listening. This is because it contains confidential exam materials so we restrict access to just one person.

Yes. If you need to download all available audio files, you can click ‘Download’ in the ‘Audio files’ column for more than one file. Select the file format you wish to download and save each file in. This will ‘queue’ the files, ready to be downloaded. There is more information about how to securely download audio files in our Global Listening administrative guide.

If you have issues accessing or using Global Listening, you should: 

• check you are using an appropriate web browser which is compatible with Global Listening.  
• check that My Cambridge is listed as a trusted site on your web browser’s security settings. 
• read our Global Listening administrative guide. 
• make sure you are using the correct log in details for My Cambridge.   

If you are using Global Listening for the first time, make sure that you have set up an account. You will have received an email from us with instructions about how to do this.  

If you still have questions, please contact us: info@cambridgeinternational.org.

The speed of your file download depends on your internet connection and the size of the file you are trying to download.

If you have logged in to My Cambridge but you then experience a constantly refreshing screen or spinning wheel when trying to access Global Listening this may be due to your organisation’s firewall settings.

You should: 

• check that the Global Listening URL is not blocked
• check that third party cookies are allowed in your browser settings
• check that you are not connected to a VPN or Checkpoint access point
• try to connect using a mobile data hot spot or different wi-fi connection. 

If you have tried all of these steps and you are still unable to access Global Listening, please contact us by email and attach screen shots of the issue: info@cambridgeinternational.org.

You must treat digital confidential materials in the same way as printed materials; see sections 4.3.2 and 4.4.1 of the Cambridge Handbook. All audio files must be downloaded and/or copied in a secure environment (e.g. a private office) by the Head of Centre or exams officer, and another member of staff must watch this. This person needs to understand our question paper regulations but does not need to be a senior member of staff; the Head of Centre or exams officer must choose a suitable member of staff. The subject teacher(s) at your centre must not download, or be present when, files are downloaded.

You must keep audio files secure at all times and any devices containing them must be password protected. As soon as you download the files from Global Listening, you must also follow the regulations in section 5.7.2.1 of the Cambridge Handbook for checking the sound quality of audio material.

Cambridge Associates can check if files have been downloaded by their Associate Centres using a report on the ‘Associate Centre’ tab. Cambridge Associates s who are downloading files from Global Listening will be sent an email reminder if they have not downloaded files 24 hours before the test date.

Cambridge Associates can download files from the ‘Associate Centre’ tab in Global Listening. These should be downloaded, copied and transported using the instructions and regulations in the administrative guide and Cambridge Handbook.

You must keep a record of the audio files you download. You must record (if applicable): 

• how many copies of each audio file you make 
• where each file is saved, e.g. which laptop or USB drive 
• the filepath from each device showing where the file(s) are saved/located 
• who was present when each file was downloaded, copied, or moved 
• who copied or moved it, and when 
• any centre or external venue it was sent to 
• when the device containing the audio file was returned after the exam. 

Keep these records for six months after results are released.

You can download our Record of audio files (XLSX, 138KB) to help you keep a record of the files you download.

Once the listening test has finished and candidates have left the exam room, all copies of the audio files must remain secure. The exams officer must securely store devices or media containing audio files.

If audio files have been downloaded onto devices that do not belong to your centre, for example, a computer at an alternative venue, the exams officer or invigilator must delete the files from the device and empty the ‘deleted items’ and/or ‘recycling bin’ folders. Check your audio files log, to make sure all copies of the audio file are accounted for. Add to the log when the file was returned or deleted for every device on which the file has been stored. You must keep the audio files log for six months after results are released.

Once you have securely downloaded the audio file(s) they can be copied onto a portable device, for example a USB drive or laptop. If you are running an exam in more than one exam room in your centre, you will need to copy the relevant audio file onto multiple devices so it can be played in each room. As a minimum, all devices containing audio files must be password protected. If you are using a USB drive, wherever possible this should be encrypted. If you are copying, saving or moving the file from your downloads folder to a different folder or to a different device, you should then delete the file from your ‘Downloads’ folder. If you are using an alternative venue, and need to transport audio files there, you must follow the above regulations and use a password-protected or encrypted device. If it is not possible to use an encrypted device, for example, if your playback equipment at the alternative venue is not compatible, then the device must be taken to the test location by two members of centre staff, including a senior member of staff, and kept in a locked container (e.g. a locked suitcase) or tamper-proof sealed envelope (like the envelopes we use to send question papers) during transport. If you use a tamper-proof envelope, the two staff members must also sign across the seal.

If you are a Cambridge Associate, you will need to copy the relevant audio file onto multiple devices so it can be played in each Associate Centre. As a minimum, all devices containing audio files must be password protected. If you are using a USB drive, wherever possible this should be encrypted. If you are copying, saving or moving the file from your downloads folder to a different folder or to a different device, you should then delete the file from your ‘Downloads’ folder.

When transporting files to your Associate Centre(s), you must follow the above regulations and use a password-protected or encrypted device. If it is not possible to use an encrypted device, for example, if your playback equipment at the Associate Centre is not compatible, then the device must be taken to the test location by two members of centre staff, including a senior member of staff, and kept in a locked container (e.g. a locked suitcase) or tamper-proof sealed envelope (like the envelopes we use to send question papers) during transport. If you use a tamper-proof envelope, the two staff members must also sign across the seal.

If possible, you should play the file directly from the USB drive/laptop which you have used to transfer the audio files, especially if the computer belongs to the venue or other centre, rather than your centre. This means you will not need to delete the file from the computer afterwards or risk leaving a copy at the venue or centre. You should always check USB drives for viruses and malware before use.

Yes, all parts of the listening test are now combined in one audio file.

There are several options for playback equipment in your exam room: 

• You can download audio files directly onto a laptop, which can then be connected to audio equipment (e.g. speaker system) in your exam room.
• If your equipment allows USB input, you can download the audio files to a USB drive and then play the audio files directly from a USB drive.
• You can upload audio files to portable playback devices, such as an MP3 player or a mobile phone. These devices must be the property of your centre, personal devices must not be used.

Make sure the playback equipment you use means that all candidates can clearly hear the audio file when it is played during the test.

Yes, you can download and save the audio file to a CD. However, we know that many CD players cannot play any of the available file formats. You will need to convert the CD to an audio CD. Some CD players cannot play any CD that has been created on a computer. If you choose to use a CD in the exam room, you must follow our instructions for testing the audio file and playback equipment before the timetabled test. You must keep the CD secure, as detailed in the Global administrative guide for all equipment that store audio files, and make sure you record where the CD is stored in your audio file log. However, we recommend finding an audio playback solution that does not require CDs.

You can download and save audio files seven calendar days before the timetabled date of the listening test, or for Cambridge Checkpoint seven days before the start of the test window. One calendar month before the timetabled listening test, or for Cambridge Checkpoint, the start of the test window, the syllabus name and number, component name and number, and timetabled exam date will be visible in Global Listening. You should log in and check these details are correct. If you think there is anything missing, or you have concerns, you can then contact us well in advance of the timetabled listening test so we can support you.

Cambridge Associates should also download audio files for their Associate Centres up to seven calendar days before the exam or start of the test window. This allows time to copy the file onto a portable storage device and distribute it to Associate Centres. Audio files must be shared with Associate Centres to allow enough time for the audio file to be checked using the playback equipment in the Associate Centre before the listening test is due to happen

Our Inspectors will check you have securely downloaded and stored audio files before, on, and after the exam day. They may ask to see your audio file log. They may check if the playback equipment you are using during the test produces a suitable level of audio quality.

Global Listening is hosted on My Cambridge and is compatible with Windows and macOS operating systems, and the browsers listed in the Global Listening administrative guide. You can use laptops and desktops to access Global Listening. You cannot use Global Listening on a tablet or mobile device.

It is very important that you do not drag your downloaded files from the folder where they are stored on your device into the Windows Media Player library. This may change the track names, or the order of tracks . Please follow the instructions in the Global Listening administrative guide for checking and playing audio files in Windows Media Player.