Support and guidance for digital exams

Multiple choice questions (MCQs): learners will choose their answers on the screen from a selection of answers. There are different ways the multiple-choice questions are displayed to learners, such as circular/radio buttons or drag and drop.

Longer response questions: such as shorter text responses and essays, learners will type their responses in a text box, with formatting and helpful tools available such as, bullet points, bold and italic wording.

Questions with resources such as extracts: these are displayed alongside the text response boxes. The stimulus and response areas can be adjusted to suit the learner’s needs.

Other features available: Background colours, adjustable font size (essay responses only) and line height, provision of extra time and candidate rest breaks (subject to application), as well as adjustable volume, closed caption and video transcript for exams including multimedia. Other digital features include, notepad, highlighter and zooming.

All answers are saved automatically on the platform. Learners do not need to write anything by hand and will not be able to copy from outside the digital exam. 

The invigilator and test delivery platform used in partnership with Cambridge is RM Assessment Master.

Live exams will be accessed through the Safe Exam Browser or Google kiosk mode. Candidates will then use their unique username and password to access their exam.

During live exams (available globally from 2027) candidates will not be able to navigate away from the exam platform to use other software, and many other functions on the device will be made inaccessible during the duration of the exams. Currently, it is not possible to lock down the browser during digital mocks, but this will be possible from July 2026.

For our global launch in 2027, offline resilience will ensure:

• If internet connections are lost during an exam, the exam browser will continue working uninterrupted.
• If internet connection is still unavailable at the end of an exam, candidate responses will be saved and uploaded once connection is restored.

Yes, candidates will receive a single username throughout the series but a different password to access each exam that they are entered for.

The digital exams are invigilated through the exam delivery platform, in conjunction with our standard exam invigilation practices.

Invigilation for the digital exams is done by your centre, using the exam delivery platform and standard invigilation practices. We will provide login details and supporting guidance for invigilators administering the digital exams. You can use this to monitor your learners’ progress and status during the exams.

Yes, we recommend using the Cambridge Handbook for our standard invigilation practices and we are developing specific guidance for digital exams.

The exam delivery platform can be used on any Windows or Mac-based laptop or desktop with the Safe Exam Browser installed. Supported devices include those running:

• Windows: Version 10 or 11, Intel i3 processor or equivalent, 4GB RAM
• Mac: Version 13 or 14, Intel i3 processor or equivalent, 4GB RAM

Chromebooks can only be used if they are managed Chromebook devices with the suitable licence applied to allow for Google Kiosk mode to be enabled. The devices must meet the following requirements:

• Chromebooks: Latest OS version, quad-core processor, 4GB RAM

For live exams, candidates can use any device that meets the minimum requirements and has the suitable lockdown browser method applied.

We recommend following the Cambridge Handbook guidance about how learners should be spaced during exams. For details, see section 4.53 Seating arrangements in the Cambridge 2025 Handbook available here.

All exams require a laptop or computer with a keyboard and mouse or trackpad/trackpoint. For exams with listening components, learners will also need headphones.

Yes, extra time is available. The exam delivery platform also includes an accessibility panel. Background colours, adjustable font size (essay responses only) and line height, provision of extra time and candidate rest breaks (subject to application), as well as adjustable volume, closed caption and video transcript for exams including multimedia.

Yes, the invigilator can pause and resume exams for learners. If rest breaks are needed, please make sure the candidate does not submit their exam during each break. They should only submit it once they have fully completed the exam.

These features are under development for future series.

Extra time is available within the platform. For live exams, the normal application process for extra time will need to take place and will be implemented by centre staff.

All multiple-choice exams are auto marked. All essay-based exams are Cambridge marked. If an exam has both types of questions, the marking will be done using both methods.

Examiner-marked digital exams follow the same rigorous marking standards as Cambridge’s paper-based exams, ensuring consistency and quality.

As digital exams follow the same style and standard as our paper exams, we apply the same paper standards and mark schemes to our digital exams.

There is no spellcheck feature. If spelling and grammar are part of the assessment criteria, they will be marked accordingly.

No, the certificates will not specify the mode of delivery for any part of the assessment. Whether the assessment was completed onscreen, on paper, or a combination of both, the certificate will reflect the same qualification and hold the same value.