Make sure we can contact you through the exam series
In line with the regulations in the Cambridge Handbook H7.1 and H7.2 you must make sure that your centre is contactable, including during school holidays and school closures, and you must respond to our communications within the specified time frame.
We may need to contact your centre with urgent information during a live exam series, so it is essential that you, the exams officer, monitor your email for important messages from Cambridge. We send communications to the exams officer email address that we have listed as the main contact for your centre.
Dear Colleague
Welcome to the September 2026 edition of the International Cambridge Exams Officer eNews.
In this issue, we provide post-results information for the June 2026 exam series, deadlines for the October 2026 Cambridge Primary Checkpoint and Lower Secondary Checkpoint test series, and guidance on running exams in November 2026. We also include information about changes to our very late entries process under the ‘Other news’ section.
Please get in touch if you need help or advice.
Best wishes
Customer Support Team
Contact us
Call: +44 1223 553554 (available 24 hours, Sunday to Friday, closed on Saturdays)
Read our ‘Updates to the Cambridge Handbook 2026’ document on our website to see the the updates we have made since first publishing the 2026 Handbook.
You must have a printed copy of the Key Times and Full Centre Supervision section, and sections 4 and 5, in all your exam rooms. We have created separate print-ready versions of these sections, which are also available on our website.
Contact details
Make sure we have the correct contact details for your centre on Direct. See our website (under Preparation) for details of how to update your contact details and change of address or name, or to request a change to the syllabuses your centre is eligible to enter. Please contact us if no one at your centre has access to Direct.
Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications (PDQs) update
Other news
Key tasks and activities
Our key dates cards provide a useful reminder of deadlines. Our monthly calendar provides more details about tasks you may need to complete each month.
All our training is free. The way you register for our training is changing in September. Please read the sign up information below carefully.
Please convert the webinar timings to your local time zone. You can check your local timings at www.timeanddate.com.
Introduction to being a Cambridge exams officer online course
This online course is designed for exams officers who have less than one year’s experience. The next course begins in January 2027.
We will be opening bookings for new cohorts of exams officers in December 2026. Please continue to attend our other webinars until then.
Exams officer webinars
Phases 3 and 4: Coursework, moderation and exam security Wednesday 9 September 2026
This webinar is for exams officers who are running exams in the Cambridge Checkpoint October test series and November exam series 2026. It has detailed information about how to administer phases 3 and 4 of the Cambridge Exam Cycle according to our regulations. You can also ask our Compliance team questions. This free one-hour webinar is open to all exams officers. While we change our webinar booking process, use the link below to join the webinar on 9 September at your local time.
Phase 5: Running exams Wednesday 23 September 2026
This webinar is for exams officers who are running exams in the Cambridge Checkpoint October test series and November exam series 2026. It has detailed information about our important exams regulations, updates, how to manage the exams including dealing with the unexpected, training invigilators and what to do at the end of the exam. You can also ask our Compliance team questions. This free one-hour webinar is open to all exams officers. While we change our webinar booking process, use the link below to join the webinar on 23 September at your local time.
You can sign up for our webinars that take place from October 2026 onwards on our new Exams officer webinar booking page. Select the webinar and time you want to attend and complete the registration form for each webinar. Please convert the timings to your local time zone.
This webinar is for all exams officers to receive the latest information on our current and upcoming exam series. This webinar will focus on access arrangements.
Phase 6: Preparing for results release, November exam and October test series 2026 Wednesday 11 November 2026 08:30 – 09:30 UTC / 14:30 – 15:30 UTC
Join this free, one hour webinar for detailed information about preparing for results release, giving your candidates their results and certificates, and applying for enquiries about results. You can also ask our Results and Despatches teams questions. This webinar is open to all exams officers.
Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Checkpoint series
Phase 1: Preparation
Timetables
October 2026 and March 2027 test series
The final timetables for the October 2026 and March 2027 series are available in the 'Timetables' section of the 'Support Materials' area of Direct and on our website.
May 2027 test series
The provisional timetable for the May 2027 series is available in the 'Timetables' section of the ‘Support Materials’ section of Direct. Please share it with your Head of Centre. The window for feedback has closed.
Phase 2: Entries
Entry deadlines
October 2026 test series
The final entries deadline has now passed.
Late entries deadline: 16 September 2026. See sections 2.3 and 2.4 of the Cambridge Handbook for more information.
If you want a teaching group name to appear alongside the teaching group code on your diagnostic feedback, complete Entries – Form 2 and submit this by 16 September 2026. For more information, see section 2.3.2.4 of the Cambridge Handbook.
To ask to use an alternative venue, send us Entries – Form 5 by 16 September 2026.
Withdrawals
October 2026 test series
The withdrawal deadline has now passed.
Contact us if you need to withdraw a candidate to request a withdrawal for medical reasons, following bereavement or other exceptional circumstances. See our website for information about withdrawal rules and deadlines.
Phase 3: Coursework and moderation
Deadline for submitting internally assessed marks and candidate work and samples: Cambridge Primary & Lower Secondary Checkpoint Global Perspectives (0838 and 1129)
October 2026 test series
The deadline for the October 2026 test series is 1 October 2026.
March 2027 test series
This syllabus is not available in the March test series.
Using Submit for Assessment
You submit internally assessed marks and candidate work and samples through Submit for Assessment. Visit the samples database to find out how to submit marks and/or work for every syllabus/component you have made entries for.
As the exams officer, you have access to Submit for Assessment via My Cambridge but your teaching colleagues may not. There is more information on our website about creating and managing My Cambridge accounts for colleagues in your centre.
Make sure you share this information again with any teachers in your centre who have previously used the Online Learning Area to submit marks and work.
Phase 5: Exam day
Series test dates
October series: 13–21October 2026
March series: 22 February – 2 March 2027
May series: mid-May 2027
You must run each test on the date allocated in the final timetable for the test series. See our website for more information.
Running exams
See our resources and administrative forms for running tests on our website.
The Exam day checklist under ‘Extra guidance’ helps you check you are ready for each test.
You must make sure your scripts have the correct candidate numbers, candidate names and centre number. If your candidates need additional answer booklets, you must use our Supplementary Answer Booklet - Exam Day - Form 13, not your centre’s own additional answer booklet. You must complete attendance registers before you send them back to us with your scripts.
Packing and despatching scripts
Send your scripts to us as soon as each test has finished. Follow the instructions in section 5.4 of the Cambridge Handbook.
Phase 6: Results and certificates
October 2026 test series
Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Checkpoint Global Perspectives results, moderator reports and diagnostic feedback will be available from the ‘My Messages’ section of Direct:mid-December2026.
End of series reports will be available from the Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary support sites: late December2026.
June 2026
Phase 3: Coursework and moderation
Return of examined and moderated work
You need to tell us if you would like us to return your moderated and examined coursework.
If you do not want us to return the work you have submitted to us, you do not need to do anything.
We may not be able to process requests for the return of coursework after this deadline. We may keep some items of coursework for research, exhibition, archive or educational purposes.
Phase 6: Results and certificates
Candidate details
Check that all details, including candidate names and dates of birth, are correct on statements of results. If there are any errors, complete and return Results and Certificates – Form 12 by 22 September 2026 so we can make amendments before we send your certificates. After this date we charge a fee for any requests to amend details on certificates.
Results analysis
Results analysis is available through Direct for the syllabuses listed below.
Follow the guidance in section 6.3 of the Cambridge Handbook for enquiries about results for the June 2026 exam series and how to apply. Visit our website for detailed information
The deadline for submitting enquiries about results is 20 September 2026.
Appeals
Every centre has the right to appeal the outcome of an enquiry about results if they believe that they have a permitted reason to do so. This is part of our commitment to provide a fair and equitable system. See section 7 of the Cambridge Handbook for more information.
Access to Scripts
Access to Scripts allows you to download a copy of a candidate's script showing the most recent stage of marks and annotations only.
You can download most of the candidate scripts for the June 2026 series from until 4 October 2026.
Access to Scripts is available via My Cambridge. You use the same email address and password if you already have a My Cambridge account.
See our website for more information and frequently asked questions, including guidance about setting up an account and how to download your scripts.
Changes to Principal Examiner Reports for Teachers
From 2026, examiner reports will have a new structure.
These updates will make the reports clearer and more accessible. This will help identify key points about candidate performance in a specific exam series.
What are the main changes?
There are only two sections – ‘key messages’ and ‘comments on specific questions’.
The key messages are split into ‘what candidates did well’ and ‘what candidates needed to improve’.
The comments on specific questions are split into ‘comprehensive responses’ and ‘limited responses’.
The comments are presented in bullet points using full sentences.
An examiner report is a commentary on a single exam series only. You should always use the report alongside the relevant question paper and mark scheme to gain a full understanding of the assessment requirements, candidate responses and how marks were awarded.
See our website for other teaching resources and professional development opportunities we provide to complement examiner reports and support effective classroom practice.
Certificates
We send out certificates in mid-October. These confirm the final grades your candidates have received.
If your candidates’ grades change as a result of an enquiry about results or appeal, and we have already sent you the certificate(s) showing the grade before the enquiry or appeal was completed, please return the certificate(s) to us.
Send any certificates to: Replacement Certificates, Results Services, Cambridge International Education, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, CB2 8EA, UK.
Please include a copy of your enquiry about results or appeal outcome letter with the certificate(s) you are sending back to us. We will then send you replacement certificate(s).
Our key dates card provides a useful reminder of all deadlines.
Final timetables
The final timetables for the November 2026 series are available from the 'Timetables' section of the ‘Support Materials’ area of Direct and on our website.
Make sure you download the correct timetable for your administrative zone.
When we publish the final timetable, we also publish a feedback document that highlights the changes we made from the provisional to the final timetable. You can access this in the ‘Support Materials’ section of Direct.
Find your Key Times on our website. They are shown in local time and GMT/UTC. Your centre must make sure that any local Daylight Saving Time (DST) is allowed for.
Access arrangements
The deadline to request access arrangements for retake entries is 10 September 2026. See section 1.3.4 of the Cambridge Handbook for more information.
Additional sittings
You can only run additional sittings if we have approved them in writing. To apply for additional sittings, send Preparation – Form 8 to info@cambridgeinternational.orgwith ‘Additional Sittings – Compliance’ in the subject line. You must apply for additional sittings at least four weeksbefore the exam.
Timetable deviations
If you have a timetable clash, you may apply for a timetable deviation using Preparation – Form 2. You may only carry out a timetable deviation if we have approved it in writing. Send us Preparation – Form 2 at least four weeks before the exam.
Phase 2: Entries
A reminder to submit date of birth for all candidates
Please remember to include each candidate's date of birth when entering candidates for Cambridge exams. This information is essential for accurately matching candidates with their previous Cambridge examination results and ensuring the accuracy of our candidate records. It also enables the UK Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) to correctly match applicants to UK universities using the data we provide.
Cambridge Guide to Making Entries
The Cambridge Guide to Making Entries has all the information you need to make entries for the November 2026 series, including entry option codes. The guide is specific to your administrative zone and is available from the ‘Support Materials’ section of Direct. Make sure you download the latest version for your region.You should use it with the Cambridge Handbook, which sets the regulations for our exams.
Entries deadlines
You can make entries for the November 2026 series through Direct. The final entries deadline for first-time entries has now passed.
21 September 2026 is the deadline for the following:
Retake entries from the June 2026 series only
Late entries.
We recommend you submit your entries at least two weeks before the deadline so you have time to submit changes before the deadline and avoid late entry fees.
Our key dates card for the November 2026 series includes a useful reminder of all deadlines.
Changes to very late entries
We have made changes to the way you can amend your entries.
You can make entries, amendments and withdrawals in Direct or by using your usual method of entry until 27 September 2026.
From 28 September 2026 you must contact us to make changes to your entries or withdraw them.
Understanding retake entries
Understanding what a retake entry is means you can work towards the correct entry deadline and will not be charged late entry fees unnecessarily. There is more information on our website.
Withdrawals
See our website for information about withdrawal rules and deadlines.
Statements of entry
Statements of entry are available on Direct. You can find them by selecting the ‘reports’ tab. Share statements of entry with your candidates, including private candidates, so they can check their entry details.
If your region has told us it is critical for you to receive printed statements of entry, we will continue to send them to you.
Alternative venues
If some of your candidates need to take their timetabled exam at a venue that is not your registered centre, you must send us Entries – Form 5at least four weeks before the exam. You may only use an alternative venue if we have approved it in writing. See section 2.6 of the Cambridge Handbook.
Carry forward regulations supplement
Make sure you always use the latest version of the carry-forward regulations supplement by downloading it from our website. Please delete previous copies that you have downloaded and saved.
Carrying forward an AS Level which includes a coursework component
Cambridge International AS and/or A Level coursework components can be carried forward to complete an AS or an A Level. This is only allowed if all of the other non-coursework components of the AS Level or A Level are taken in the current series.
A ‘mixed series’ AS Level cannot be carried forward. This is to ensure consistent application of our rules for carry forward, and to make sure all candidates are treated fairly. A mixed series AS result is one where one of the marks that contributes to the AS outcome is being carried forward from a previous series and the other AS component is being completed in the current series.
Carrying forward marks for Cambridge IGCSE Music (0410) for exams in 2026
This syllabus has been revised for first assessment in 2026.
Due to the revision of the qualification, there are some changes to carry-forward options available for assessment in 2026 only. See the '2026–2027 Syllabus guidance’ document on the Cambridge IGCSE Music (0410) syllabus page for more information.
Cambridge O Level Fashion & Textiles (6130)
If you previously made entries for this syllabus, we emailed you to remind you that we have updated this syllabus for exams in 2026, 2027 and 2028. Private candidates cannot enter for this syllabus. Visit our website for more information and refer to the Cambridge Guide to Making Entries on Direct.
Phase 3: Coursework and moderation
Submitting coursework marks and samples
See our website for more information about submitting coursework marks and samples.
Candidates cannot re-use moderated or examined coursework from a previous exam series, and the work cannot be a reworked version of the work they submitted in a previous exam series.
You must authenticate coursework before submitting it to us. If you are not confident that the work submitted by a candidate is their own, you should resolve this internally or not submit the work to us. See sections 3.2.1 and 3.3.1 of the Cambridge Handbook for more information, and our guidance for teachers for preventing plagiarism on our website.
the candidate has been taught how to correctly reference
they have appropriately referenced and acknowledged any content taken from another source
they understand we may consider it malpractice if they submit work containing plagiarised material.
Once you submit coursework to us, we may use plagiarism detection software to screen coursework. Our subject experts will review any coursework we suspect may contain plagiarism. If we find plagiarised work, we may:
consider it candidate malpractice
not accept the work
withhold the candidate’s marks for that component.
We may not request statements from you before closing the malpractice case and deciding the outcome, which we then tell you about.
Contact us if you are unsure whether to submit work or not.
Submitting work using Submit for Assessment
Visit the samples database to find the deadlines and guidance about how and when to submit marks and/or work for every syllabus/component you have made entries for that uses Submit for Assessment.
We also have more information and guidance on our website about using Submit for Assessment.
Cambridge International AS & A Level Global Perspectives & Research (9239) submission window
The window for submitting examined coursework for Cambridge International AS & A Level Global Perspectives & Research (9239/02, 03 & 04) in the November series is: 1–31 October 2026. Visit the samples database for detailed guidance about submission requirements.
Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science (9618)
For components 9618/41 and 42 candidates must save the evidenceWord document as a .docx file. Submit for Assessment will not accept files with .doc format.
We are currently updating the practical test instructions on our website.
Phase 4: Before the exam
Forecast grades and internally assessed marks
You must submit your forecast grades electronically using Direct. You will also submit your internally assessed marks electronically using either Direct or Submit for Assessment. Check the samples database to see which syllabuses use this service.
Early question papers and pre-release material
Check our website to find out how you will receive pre-release materials. It is important you share this information with teachers.
Confidential materials
Your confidential materials, for exams that take place before the timetabled series, should have arrived or will arrive soon.
When these arrive, the exams officer and another member of staff must check the packets carefully against the despatch note without opening them. Keep signed and dated records to show the packets have been checked. Make sure you check the packets using our instructions in section 4.3 of the Cambridge Handbook or in our video.
Do not open any blue question paper packets until the correct time and date of the exam.
You must have a process in place to make sure the despatch is kept securely as soon as it arrives at your centre, even if your centre is closed.
Some confidential materials, such as instructions for science practical exams, can be opened before the exam. Two members of staff must check they have the correct confidential materials before opening them. You can use ourHandling confidential materials poster to remind yourself what to do when they arrive. If you are not sure, contact us.
If you are missing any of the question paper packets listed on the despatch note, complete and return Before the exams – Form 2. If the despatch has been damaged or opened in transit, or you have opened or damaged the packet on arrival, complete and return Before the exams – Form 3.
Store the unopened question paper packets securely until the exam date shown on the timetable.
Phase 5: Exam day
Running exams
Visit our website for help and guidance about running exams.
Instructions for practical exams
To support you with running IT practical exams, we have produced guidance for the following syllabuses:
Cambridge IGCSE ICT (0417)
Cambridge IGCSE ICT (0983) (9–1)
Cambridge International AS & A Level IT (9626)
Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science (9618).
Question paper security
All unused question papers, answer booklets and any other confidential exam material must be stored in your approved secure storage until at least 24 hours after the end of the exam or Key Time, whichever is later.
After this time, you can dispose of the unused question papers or you can return them to candidates / centre staff. However, it is important you do not share question papers or other confidential materials with anyone outside your centre. These materials must not be uploaded to publicly accessible platforms, social media, or chat groups. They may be stored in shared or cloud-based systems (such as Google Classroom or similar), provided that access to such systems is strictly limited to authorised staff and students within your centre.
If we need you to keep certain confidential materials, including question papers, in your secure storage for longer than 24 hours, we have already contacted your exams officer.
Special consideration
Special consideration is a post-exam adjustment that we make to a candidate's mark. We do this to make allowances for some adverse circumstances - for example: illness, bereavement, temporary injury or disruption to an exam. See our Special consideration webpage for more information.
You can submit applications for different types of special consideration:
Present but disadvantaged candidates
Absent candidates
Coursework-related special consideration.
Candidates entered into the November 2026 exam series must:
have covered the whole course and
have completed a minimum of 15 per cent of the total assessment by component weighting in the relevant exam series. Carry-forward marks do not count.
We cannot produce an A Level result where the candidate has not taken any A2 components. We cannot produce a result where the only component the candidate has taken is a separately endorsed component.
Phase 6: Results and certificates
Results release
We will release results in January 2027.
Cambridge International AS & A Level 7 January 2027 at 06:00 GMT/UTC*
Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge O Level 14 January 2027 at 06:00 GMT/UTC*
*UTC is Coordinated Universal Time and is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. GMT is Greenwich Mean Time. Please convert these times to your local time zone.
June 2027
Phase 1: Preparation
Provisional timetables
The June 2027 provisional timetables are available on Direct. Make sure you download the correct timetable for your time zone. The deadline for providing feedback has now passed. Thank you to all those centres who submitted feedback – we carefully consider every comment we receive and will publish the final timetable in October.
Phase 2: Entries
Estimated entries
The Estimated Entry Form lists the syllabuses and components for exams timetabled before the main series. You must give estimated entry information for these syllabuses. The form will be available from the ‘Support Materials’ section of Direct on 10 September.
The deadline for submitting estimated entries is 10 October 2026.
Final entries
You will be able to make entries for the June 2027 series from mid-November through Direct.
Phase 3: Coursework and moderation
Submitting work using Submit for Assessment
Visit the samples database to find the deadlines and guidance about how and when to submit marks and/or work for every syllabus/component you will make entries for that uses Submit for Assessment.
We also have more information and guidance on our website about using Submit for Assessment.
November 2027
Phase 1: Preparation
Provisional timetables
At the end of October, we will publish provisional versions of the timetables for the November 2027 series. When they are published, you will have four weeks to let us know if you have any major concerns.
Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications (PDQs) update
September (PDQ) 2026 series
Submitting portfolio work
You must upload portfolio work between 15 and 30 September 2026 using Submit for Assessment. We have updated the Administrative Guide: Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications (PDQ) 2025–2030 to improve the content. Make sure you are using the latest version by downloading it from our website. Delete previous versions that you may have downloaded and saved.
January (PDQ) 2027 series
You can make entries for the January series between 1 and 15 October 2026.
Help and guidance
You can find more information about key entry dates and submission windows on our website.
Other news
Take part in our Digital Mocks Service – January 2027 series
We are offering centres the opportunity to deliver digital mock exams through our Digital Mocks Service.
Our January 2027 digital mocks series will include both auto-marked and Cambridge examiner-marked exams across a range of Cambridge IGCSE™ and Cambridge International AS & A Level subjects.
To be among the first to hear when registration opens and receive updates about the programme, sign up for our digital exams updates.
Cover letters for your despatches
You can download cover letters and guidance documents that explain what is included in the pre-exam, provisional results and certificates despatches from our Understanding your despatches webpage.
Make sure you download the latest version of the documents from our website and delete any previous versions that you may have saved.
Fees lists
Our fees lists for 2026–27 are on Direct. Visit the 'My Messages’ section of Direct to find exam series-specific fees, such as entry fees and enquiries about results fees. You will also find a list of annual fees, such as annual programme fees.
The 2026–27 annual waiver threshold will be available on Directearly next year.
What's new – updated and new syllabuses
For the latest information about ‘What’s new’ from Cambridge, including details of new, revised and withdrawn programmes and qualifications, visit our website.
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