Update for Cambridge schools on the series for 2020 and 2021 - 10 September 2020

10 Sep 2020

Today’s update starts with some information on training available to schools. See the ‘support for schools’ section below.

Following our announcement on 17 August about the change in our awarding process for June 2020, we are providing more guidance on some of the main questions we have received, particularly on appeals.

We also have some further information on the November 2020, as well as the March and June 2021 exam series.

We are very grateful to you for working patiently with us through this challenging period. We encourage you to keep in touch with us if you have questions or would like advice.

We will update schools again on 16 September 2020.

Support for schools

Upcoming exams officer training

September exams officer update webinar

Exams officers at Cambridge International Schools can join a free exams officer update webinar on 16 and 17 September. We will focus on guidance for running exams in the November 2020 series as well as how to conduct speaking tests, science practicals and other coursework components. We will also highlight our latest updates and remind you about upcoming deadlines. It is an opportunity to ask us questions about our latest communications.

If you would like to attend the September exams officer update, you can register using the links below, or you can register to receive a recording of the webinar on Friday 18 September. The capacity for each webinar is 500 attendees – please only register one exams officer from your school.

• Wednesday 16 September – 07.30-08.30 UTC*
• Wednesday 16 September – 13.30-14.30 UTC*
• Thursday 17 September – 07.30-08.30 UTC*
• Thursday 17 September – 13.30-14.30 UTC*

*UTC is Universal Coordinated Time and is one hour behind UK time (i.e. British summer time) on these dates. Please convert this to your local time.

Getting to know the Cambridge Exams Cycle self-study course

Ahead of the November 2020 exam series, we are asking exams officers to retake our online training course ‘Getting to know the Cambridge Exams Cycle’. To support you in the upcoming series, we have updated the training course with the latest guidance on running exams during the Covid-19 outbreak. You can access the course through the Online Learning Area and create your own account if you do not already have one. When creating an account, make sure you add your centre number so we can link your school with your training. If you already have an account, please edit your profile to include a centre number. We highly recommend exams officers complete this training by 21 September in time for the November series.

Online tutor-guided training

We have increased our online tutor-guided training offer this year. We are now offering 730 courses covering 115 syllabuses. This includes Introductory and Extension level courses, Enrichment and Marking workshops, and a new course type – Improving Speaking Performance in the Classroom. Courses start in September and continue throughout the year.

We are currently offering a 20 per cent early bird booking discount on all online tutor-guided courses. You can find details of all the courses and workshops available, plus prices and booking links, on our website or in our Online Professional Development guide.

June 2020 series

Appeals – key dates and deadlines

For the June 2020 series, you can request three types of Stage 1 appeal. Appeals can be requested for individual candidates, or for a group of candidates. Remember to submit any appeal by the deadline:

You can find more information about appeals on our website: www.cambridgeinternational.org/appeals

If you work with us through another organisation, such as the British Council, you should send your completed forms to them. They will send them to us.

November 2020 series

Schools are running exams at the start of the November 2020 series section where they believe it is safe and where they have the necessary permissions from government authorities.

We are not running an alternative to exams – such as calculated or predicted grades – in the November 2020 series.

We have consulted extensively with our teams around the world when making our decisions, and will continue to do so. This has helped us to understand the needs of our schools in different countries. At the moment, most schools tell us that they intend to sit exams.

We recognise that the current situation is different in every country, and that local restrictions may mean that some schools are unable to hold exams. In the event of localised Covid-19 restrictions, schools can use this letter to support their discussions about running exams with local authorities.

November 2020 entry deadlines

Given the challenges of sending question papers to schools during the pandemic, we would kindly request that you submit your entries to us by the deadlines below, or earlier wherever possible:

First-time entries:

• 21 September, 23:59 GMT/UTC (UK centres only – the deadline of 16 August for schools outside the UK has now passed)

Retake entries:

• 21 September, 23:59 GMT/UTC (international and UK centres)

Adaptations to assessment requirements for November 2020

We have made many adaptations to assessment requirements to help schools run exams in challenging circumstances, helping keep students safe and progress with their education. You can find out more here: www.cambridgeinternational.org/covid/november-2020-exam-series

Changing entry options for November 2020 - amendment fee

If you have had to change entry options for November 2020 because of Covid-19 (as per our guidance) – for example, to change from a Cambridge IGCSE science practical to an ‘alternative to practical’ component – you can contact us to ask us not to charge an amendment fee. You will need to do this as soon as possible, and no later than 21 September. If you still need to make any changes to entry options, please also do this before the 21 September and let us know.

March and June 2021 series

Adjustments to components for March and June 2021

On Monday 7 September, we published new web pages with component adjustments and guidance for March and June 2021 exams. For the components included, we have provided general guidance to help teachers and students adapt to the current circumstances, and for some syllabuses there are details of specific adjustments to the requirements of the component. Where specific adjustments are available, schools will need to apply for permission to use them before the exam or before submitting work.

We have produced an overview document so that you can identify the level of support available for each syllabus.

You can find much more information on the June 2021 Covid information and March 2021 (India only) sections of our website.

Staying in touch

You can find all our advice on our website

If you have any questions, you can review our frequently asked questions, or contact us via our Help website.

We wish everyone in the Cambridge International community well at this time.