Any updates that we make to the Cambridge Handbook are summarised in our ‘Updates to the Cambridge Handbook 2026’ document, which is available on our website. Read this document to see the last updates that we made in May 2026.
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 create 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 Phase 1 – 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. You can sign up for our webinars on the Professional Development Calendar or see details below. Please convert the timings to your local time zone.
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. It has 11 modules (approximately 1–2 hours each) and provides in-depth training for your role as a Cambridge exams officer. Use the links below to book on to the upcoming courses in July and August 2026.
How to prepare for November 2026 exam and October 2026 test series Wednesday 3 June 2026
This webinar is for exams officers who are running exams in the October 2026 Cambridge Checkpoint test series and November 2026 exam series. It includes detailed information about key deadlines, timetabling, access arrangements and entries. You can also ask us questions.
How to prepare for results release for the June 2026 exam series and May 2026 test series Wednesday 8 July 2026
This webinar is for exams officers who are running exams in the May 2026 Checkpoint test series and June 2026 exam series. It has detailed information about preparing for results release, giving your candidates their results and certificates, and applying for enquiries about results. You can also ask us questions.
Our training for Exams Officers is designed to help you manage the exam process with confidence. We value your feedback because it helps us improve our service and understand what you find most useful. We want to share some of the positive feedback we have received to celebrate the support from our community of exams officers. We hope that these comments will also encourage you to attend our webinars and complete our online course, if you are not already doing so.
‘‘I liked the clear explanation of the roles and responsibilities of an Exam Officer. The webinar was well organized and the examples given helped me to understand how to handle examination procedures effectively.’’
‘‘I appreciated the clarity of the information presented and how well the key processes were explained. The webinar was well-structured, practical, and relevant to my role as an exams officer. The use of real examples and guidance on best practices was particularly helpful.’’
‘‘The webinar was very well organised and structured in a clear, logical sequence. Key administrative updates for the 2026 series were explained in a concise and practical manner. The guidance on compliance procedures and deadlines was particularly helpful.’’
Comments from exams officers about our online course
‘‘I liked how the course clearly explained the full Cambridge Exams Cycle in a structured and logical way. The content was practical and directly related to the real responsibilities of an Exams Officer. The interactive elements, especially the quizzes and reflective activities, helped reinforce understanding rather than just reading information. I also appreciated the flexibility of the fully online format, which allowed me to complete the course at my own pace. Overall, the course increased my confidence in managing Cambridge exams effectively.’’
‘‘I liked that the course was well structured and easy to follow. It explained the exam regulations, security procedures, and administrative responsibilities in a clear way. The practical examples helped me understand how to apply the guidelines during real exam situations.’’
Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Checkpoint series
Phase 1: Preparation
Timetables
October 2026 test series
The final timetable for the October 2026 series is available in the 'Timetables' section of the 'Support Materials' area of Direct and on our website.
March 2027 test series
The provisional timetable for the March 2027 series is available in the 'Timetables' section of the ‘Support Materials’ section of Direct. Please share it with your Head of Centre. The deadline for providing feedback has now passed.
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. Send your feedback to info@cambridgeinternational.org by 28 June2026 and include 'May 2027 Checkpoint timtetable feedback' in the subject line.
If needed, you can make an access arrangements request by using Apply for Access Arrangements. We are launching this service in phases. If you cannot use the service, you can apply for access arrangements using Access Arrangements: Preparation - Form 1 by 21 July 2026. We will let you know when Apply for Access Arrangements is available to your centre(s).
Phase 2: Entries
Entry deadlines
October 2026 test series
Final entries deadline: 16 August 2026. We will charge late entry fees for entries and amendments received after this date.
Late entries deadline: 16 September 2026. See sections 2.3 and 2.4 of the Cambridge Handbook for more information.
You can withdraw candidates until 16 August 2026 and receive a credit for the syllabus fee. You can make the withdrawal yourself using Direct.
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.
Using Submit for Assessment
You must 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
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.
Exam day checklist
The Exam day checklist, under ‘Extra guidance’ helps you check that you are following our regulations during every stage of the test.
Correct information on scripts
You must make sure that your scripts have the correct candidate numbers, candidate names and centre numbers. If you do not include this information, it will take us longer to process the mark scripts and this may impact results release for those candidates.
Attendance registers
You must complete attendance registers before you send them back to us with your scripts.
Packing and despatching scripts
Sending us the test scripts at the end of each test day helps to avoid delays in us releasing results. Send us your scripts as soon as possible if you have not already done so.
Use a courier with a tracking facility to send us the scripts. Follow the instructions in section 5.4 of the Cambridge Handbookand complete our script return form each time you send us a consignment of scripts.
Phase 6: Results and certificates
May 2026 test series
Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Checkpoint Global Perspectives results and moderator reports and Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Checkpoint diagnostic feedback will be available from the ‘My Messages’ section of Direct on 23 July 2026.
End of series reports will be available from the Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary support sites: early August 2026.
October 2026 test series
Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Checkpoint Global Perspectives results and moderator reports and Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Checkpoint 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.
November 2025
Phase 6: Results and certificates
Certificates
You should have received certificates for the November 2025 series. Contact us if you have not received your certificates.
If your centre has any open enquiries about results we will send those certificates once we have completed all open enquiries for your centre. This is usually after the enquiries about results deadline.
You can ask for a replacement certificate using Results and certificates – Form 12. The fee for this service is in our fees list. We can replace November 2025 certificates until 30 September 2027.
June 2026
Phase 2: Entries
Withdrawals
If you need to request a withdrawal for medical reasons, following bereavement or other exceptional circumstances, please contact us: info@cambridgeinternational.org.
You can find withdrawal information on our website.
Carrying forward marks for Cambridge IGCSE Music (0410) and Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) Music (0978) for examinations in 2026
These syllabuses have been revised for first assessment in 2026.
Check our website to find out how you will receive pre-release materials. It is important you share this information with teachers.
Pre-release materials for Cambridge IGCSE Drama
Download the pre-release materials for Cambridge IGCSE Drama (0411 and (9-1) 0994) from the School Support Hub and print them.
We send printed clean copies with the question papers for candidates to use in the exam.
Confidential materials
When you receive your confidential despatch, check the contents 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.
If you identify any issues, let us know immediately using the relevant forms. Store confidential materials according to the instructions in section 4.4 of the Cambridge Handbook. See more information on our 'Handling confidential materials' poster on our Administrative forms and guidance documents page, under ‘Before the exams’.
Where confidential material is pre-recorded on audio files or other media you must test the material before the exam. Follow the instructions in sections 5.7.2 and 5.7.5 of the Cambridge Handbook and, if relevant, the Global Listening Administrative Guide. Do not listen to the test materials in full or remove them from your centre – you are only listening to a small section to check for sound quality.
A reminder of our support and guidance:
Our video shows you how to store the unopened question paper packets securely until the exam date shown on the timetable.
Make sure you have read and understood section 4 of the Cambridge Handbook.
Download our handling confidential materials poster from our running exams webpage (under extra guidance).
Test any pre-recorded confidential material before the exam – follow the instructions in sections 5.7.2 and 5.7.5 of the Cambridge Handbook. Do not listen to the test materials in full or remove them from your centre – you are only listening to a small section to check for sound quality.
Remember our 24-hour security rule – see Section 5.3.2 of the Cambridge Handbook.
Remind candidates that we may consider it malpractice if they:
remove any question papers or question paper content from the exam room
discuss the content of a question paper or other confidential material, such as speaking test topics, with any other candidate until either the Key Time or end of the assessment window has passed.
Receiving question paper despatches
It is extremely important that you telephone us if you do not receive question paper packets within two days of the timetabled exam. Do not email us as this could delay our response.
Additional materials list
The additional materials list is available on our website.
The list includes:
additional materials candidates need in each exam
exam materials we provide
information about whether candidates should answer directly on the question paper, on multiple-choice answer sheets or on an answer booklet that we provide inserted into the question paper.
Candidates should do rough work on the question paper, or the answer booklet if provided, and cross through it neatly so our examiners can see it.
You can provide additional rough paper if there is limited space on the question paper. Candidates should cross this through neatly and you must collect this when you collect their script. You must fasten together all sheets of paper handed in by candidates, see section 5.3.1 (d) of the Cambridge Handbook.
Phase 5: Exam day
Running exams
See our resources and administrative forms for running exams on our website.
What to say to candidates in an exam
We have updated our guidance, What to Say to Candidates in an exam. You must use this version for all exams from 2026 onwards. You can download if from our website. Inspectors will check that you are using the updated guidance.
For the June 2026 exam series only, you can use the previous version of the poster that we included in your pre-exam despatch or download the new version from our website.
From the November 2026 exam series onwards you must use the updated version.
Unauthorised materials
Candidates must not bring unauthorised materials into the exam room. Section 5.1.7 of the Cambridge Handbook provides examples.
We have updated our list of unauthorised materials to include any type of wristwatch and smart glasses.
Candidates must not wear smart glasses in any exam because smart glasses can send and receive information. Candidates who need visual aids must use standard prescription glasses. You must tell invigilators and candidates about this regulation and make sure that invigilators check glasses when candidates enter the exam room.
Some unauthorised materials can be difficult to identify, such as calculators with messaging, internet or storage facilities. You and your invigilators must be alert to candidates attempting to bring unauthorised materials into the exam room.
All instances of candidates bringing unauthorised materials into the exam room must be reported to us using Exam Day – Form 9d. See section 5.6 of the Cambridge Handbook.
Packing and despatching scripts
Pack your scripts by following the instructions in section 5.4 of the Cambridge Handbook. Complete our Script Return Form each time you send a consignment of scripts so we can track them more effectively. Find more information on our website.
Send us your scripts as soon as possible after each exam. If we do not receive returned scripts from you quickly, it can cause delays in marking and grading, and therefore results being released on time.
Make sure you use a reputable major courier with a tracking facility, and confirm their service is available before sending. Cambridge University Press & Assessment has a relationship with DHL, which is helpful when dealing with queries. Use an express service to return scripts to us. This can help to avoid delays.
Unused exam materials
When you return your candidate scripts to us, do not include any unused question papers, answer scripts or continuation booklets. Sending us unnecessary blank items creates extra work and may delay us scanning and marking your candidates' scripts. Only send us question papers if your candidates have written their responses on them.
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 webpagefor 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 June 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.
Malpractice
See section 5.6 of the Cambridge Handbook for more information about reporting suspected malpractice.
You can find reporting suspected candidate malpractice forms 9c and 9d on the ‘Exam day’ section of our website.
Phase 6: Results and certificates
Results release
Cambridge International AS & A Level, Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) and Cambridge International Project Qualification (CIPQ): Tuesday 11August 2026at 06:00 BST/UTC+1*. Results will be available to download from Direct.
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level and Cambridge International Certificate of Education (ICE): Tuesday 18August 2026 at 06:00 BST/UTC+1*. Results will be available to download from Direct.
* BST is British Summer Time. UTC is Universal Coordinated Time. Please convert these to your local time zone.
Priority results
We know many candidates have deadlines for submitting results to educational institutions around the world, which may be close to our results release date. Your candidates can ask us to send a priority statement of results directly to their chosen educational institutions or employers on the day results are released. These results will arrive on the same day or shortly after results release.
For applications to UK universities, we automatically send Cambridge International AS & A Level, Cambridge International Project Qualification and Cambridge AICE Diploma results to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) in time to meet university deadlines. There is no need to request priority results information for these qualifications if a candidate is applying to a UK university. If candidates need to send other qualifications, such as Cambridge IGCSEs, they will still need to apply for priority results.
The final timetables for the November 2026 series are available in the 'Timetables' section of the ‘Support Materials’ area of Direct and on our website.
Access arrangements
You must submit your access arrangements applications by the following deadlines:
Modified question papers: 1 July 2026
Access arrangements for new entries: 21 July 2026
Access arrangements for retake entries: 10 September 2026.
Phase 2: Entries
Cambridge Guide to Making Entries
The Cambridge Guide to Making Entries for the November 2026 series is available from the 'Support Materials' section of Direct.
Carrying forward marks for Cambridge IGCSE Music (0410) for examinations in 2026
These syllabuses have been revised for first assessment in 2026.
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.
See our website for information about withdrawal rules and deadlines.
Phase 3: Coursework and moderation
Cambridge International AS & A Level Global Perspectives & Research (9239/02, 03 and 04)
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.
June 2027
Phase 1: Preparation
Provisional timetables
The June 2027 provisional timetables are now available on Direct. The deadline for providing feedback is 28 June 2026.
Send us your feedback to info@cambridgeinternational.org with 'June 2027 provisional timetable feedback' as the subject line.
Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications (PDQs) update
July 2026 series
Submitting portfolio work
You must upload portfolio work between 15-30 July 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 you may have downloaded and saved.
Online Support sessions: Wednesday 15 July 2026
We are running two online support sessions on using Submit for Assessment for Cambridge PDQ Programme Leaders and exams officers who have made entries for the July series. Use the links below to join the sessions. You do not need to register in advance for these sessions.
* BST is British Summer Time. UTC is Universal Coordinated Time. Please convert these to your local time zone.
September 2026 series
Entries
You can make entries for the September 2026 series between 1-15 June 2026.
Online Support sessions: Friday 5 June 2026
We are running two online support sessions about making entries for Cambridge PDQ Programme Leaders and exams officers who want to make entries for the September series. Use the links below to join the sessions. You do not need to register in advance for these sessions.
* BST is British Summer Time. UTC is Universal Coordinated Time. Please convert these to your local time zone.
Help and guidance
You can find more information about key entry dates and submission windows on our website.
Other news
Cover letters for your despatches
You can now 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 that you download the latest version of the documents from our website and delete any previous versions that you may have saved.
Accessible design for question papers
As part of our ongoing commitment to designing and developing accessible assessments, we are making changes to the layout and formatting of our question papers. Question papers may look slightly different from published specimen papers. These changes will apply to exams for all Cambridge qualifications from March 2026 onwards.
The assessment content, demand and types of questions will not change. Find out more on our website.
Fees lists
Our fees lists for 2025-26 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 2025–26 annual waiver threshold is now available on Direct.
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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