Cambridge to include mocks, assignments, prior grades as evidence in grading CIEs

The Cambridge Assessment on Thursday explained some of the additional guidelines pertaining to what will be included in the evidence it seeks to grade the May/June 2020 examinations as part of its goal that candidates "receive a fair, valid and globally recognised qualification".

In a statement shared on its website, it said the evidence to grade the May/June 2020 exams may include "mock exams, coursework, assignments, AS Level results for 'staged-route' A-Level candidates, and grades in previous sittings for candidates re-taking exams". Additional evidence may also be submitted if deemed significant.

In the frequently asked questions (FAQ) section, the Cambridge Assessment highlighted that their guidelines did not mean that a candidate's grade would be the same as their mock exam result. Students were not required to submit fresh work either, it added.

Instructors may, however, set new mock papers and assignments or ask the candidates to complete unfinished coursework if they were "able [to] and feel this would help your evidence".

With regard to the private candidates, the Cambridge Assessment said it will treat them "in the same way as school candidates, in that all the grades we award will be based on evidence".

Related: Cambridge seeks schools' help to grade students for exams amid COVID-19 outbreak

"Evidence from a candidate’s previous school is likely to be acceptable. Evidence from parents or from the candidates themselves should not be accepted. Evidence from tutors needs to be considered in the individual context," it noted.

Underscoring that the evidence had to be authenticated, it said the test centres should start gathering evidence and that they will have "approximately two months" to do so. However, more details regarding the process will be revealed on April 7.

On entries for and withdrawing from the May/June 2020 exams, it said the centres could "candidates in a later series such as November 2020".

"Schools can enter candidates for the November exam series from mid-May. We are reviewing if it will be possible to provide some syllabuses in this series which are currently only available in the June series," it noted, adding that an update would be provided before April 10.

"You will not be charged late fees or amendment fees for making these entries. You can only withdraw candidates for a complete syllabus, not for a single component," it said, stressing that entries will not be accepted after April 17.

The Cambridge Assessment informed relevant stakeholders that the grades and qualifications "will carry the same value as grades and qualifications for any other series" in the context of university admissions.

The latest instructions relate to Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level, Cambridge International AS & A Level and Cambridge Pre-U.