Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint

Many schools use our Cambridge Checkpoint tests to assess learners at the end of the lower secondary programme (Stage 9). The tests enable schools to obtain an international benchmark of learner performance to identify and address learning needs.

Tests are marked by Cambridge International Education for English as a first or second language, mathematics and science. We also have a Checkpoint for Cambridge Lower Secondary Global Perspectives, where learners produce a research report that is assessed by teachers and externally moderated by Cambridge.

From 2026, we’ll be introducing the following changes:

• A new test series that will take place in early March
• The May test series will be rescheduled for late May
• Moving to a one-week timetable for each test series, where tests must be taken on dates defined by Cambridge. Centres can choose what time their learners take the test(s) on the test day. 

Explore our frequently asked questions document (PDF, 182KB) to find out more. You can also contact our customer services team if you have any questions.

Find out more about administering Cambridge Checkpoint tests in 2026.

Cambridge Checkpoint reports

Cambridge Checkpoint reports are a key part of our testing process that teachers and learners can benefit from.

The video below walks teachers through our reports which score learners’ performance on a 0-50 scale within the performance bands.

For more information watch a recording of our webinar or download our FAQs where we explain our 0-50 Cambridge Checkpoint scoring scale, our  performance bands, and how this is reported to schools.

Feedback reports

Schools use the feedback from Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint to make strategic decisions, drawing upon a pool of information and specialist reporting tools that we have built into the tests. You can use the reports to:

• tailor individual learning programmes
• monitor group and individual performance
• compare the performance of all learners taking tests in that session
• manage learning programmes within schools and as learners move between schools.

The test feedback measures a learner’s performance in relation to:

• the Curriculum framework
• their teaching group
• a whole school cohort
• previous years’ learners.

Learner report

The learner report for each individual learner gives a:

• Cambridge Checkpoint score achieved at subject level
• mark achieved at strand and sub-strand/skill level
• Statement of Achievement that shows the subjects and scores achieved.

Teaching group report

The report for each teaching group (or class) gives:

• the average Cambridge Checkpoint score achieved at subject and strand/skill level
• a learner distribution across ranges of scores
• a table of scores in alphabetical order by learner name with candidate number, strand scores and overall subject scores
• a table of learner marks achieved at strand and sub-strand level.

School report

The report at school level gives:

• the average Cambridge Checkpoint score for each subject
• the average score for each strand/skill
• the average scores achieved in the past five years
• an international average that shows the average score per subject/strand for all schools in the cohort.

End of series report

We also include a Principal's Examiner report for schools, which provides qualitative information on your students. The report includes types of learner responses and areas where they performed well, and common errors made on each part of the test question.

Find out more

To keep up to date with all the latest Cambridge Checkpoint news and updates, sign up to our primary and lower secondary mailing list.

For more information about making Cambridge Checkpoint entries, please refer to the relevant section of the Cambridge Handbook. The current version can be found on the Cambridge Exams Officers’ Guide pages of our website.