Welcome to the September 2025 edition of the UK Cambridge Exams Officer eNews.
In this issue , we provide post-results information for the June 2025 series, deadlines for the October 2025 Cambridge Primary Checkpoint and Lower Secondary Checkpoint test series, and guidance on running exams in November 2025.
Please get in touch if you need help or advice.
Best wishes Customer Support Team
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. If no one at your centre has access to Direct, please contact us.
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.
You can also download theicalendarto save all the key dates to your calendar.
In July 2025, we launched our new 12-week, online modular course (approximately 1-2 hours of study each week). It is designed for exams officers who have less than one year’s experience in their role. The next course begins in January 2026.
This new course replaced the ‘Getting to know the Cambridge Exams Cycle’ course and the ‘Welcome to being a Cambridge exams officer’ webinar.
We will be opening bookings for new cohorts of exams officers in December 2025. Please continue to attend our other webinars until then. You can book onto all webinars via the Professional Development Calendar.
Exams officer webinars
You can book on to our next webinar below. Please convert the timings to your local time zone.
How to administer phases 3 and 4 of the November 2025 exam series and October 2025 test series
Wednesday 10 September 2025
This 60 minute webinar is for all exams officers who are running exams in the October 2025 Cambridge Checkpoint test series and / or the November 2025 exam series. Join us for detailed information about how to administer phases 3 and 4 of the Cambridge Exam Cycle in line with our regulations. You can also ask our Compliance team questions.
How to run exams for the November 2025 exam series and October 2025 Checkpoint test series
Wednesday 17 September 2025
This 60 minute webinar is for all exams officers who are running exams in the October 2025 Cambridge Checkpoint test series and / or the November 2025 exam series. Join us for 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 60 minute webinar is for all exams officers and staff who are involved in applying for, or administering, access arrangements. You will receive the latest information about applying for, and supporting candidates with, access arrangements. You can also ask us questions. This one-hour webinar is open to all exams officers.
We are making important changes to our Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Checkpoint test series from 2026. To find out what is changing for each test series, the key dates for 2026, and FAQs about the changes, see our new webpage: www.cambridgeinternational.org/checkpoint-changes-2026
There are currently no plans to change Cambridge Global Perspectives™ Checkpoint.
Fees lists
The fees for Cambridge Checkpoint tests 2026 have been updated. Our fees lists are on Direct. Visit the ‘My Messages’ section of Direct to find exam series-specific fees such as entry fees. You will also find a list of annual fees, such as annual programme fees.
Phase 1: Preparation
Provisional timetables
March 2026 test series
The final timetable for the March 2026 Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Checkpoint series is available in the 'Timetables' section of the 'Support Materials' area ofDirect and on our website. We have recently published a version 2 of this timetable. Make sure you download the latest version and delete previous versions.
May 2026 test series
The provisional timetable for the May 2026 Cambridge Primary and Lower Checkpoint series is available on Direct. The window for feedback has closed.
Phase 2: Entries
Make your entries
October 2025 test series
The final entries deadline has now passed. Submit late entries through Directby 16 September 2025. For details of the fees that apply to late entries, see the relevant fees list, which you can download from the ‘My Messages’ section of Direct.
If you have already submitted your entries, you can still make changes until the late entry deadline.
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 by16 September 2025. For more information, see section 2 of the Cambridge Handbook.
To ask to use an alternative venue, send us Entries – Form 5 by 16September 2025.
Withdrawals
October 2025 test series
The withdrawal deadline for the October test series has now passed. You can still 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
Preparing and submitting marks and work for Cambridge Checkpoint Global Perspectives using Submit for Assessment
October 2025 test series
You must submit internally assessed marks and candidate work and samples for Cambridge Checkpoint Global Perspectives 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
October 2025 test series
Test dates
The test dates for the October series are 6–17 October 2025.
Running exams
See our resources and administrative forms for running tests on our website.
The Exam day checklist, under ‘Extra guidance’ helps you check that you are ready for each test.
You must make sure that 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 -ExamDay - 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.
We must receive your Cambridge Primary Checkpoint and Lower Secondary Checkpoint scripts by 25 October 2025. If we do not receive scripts by this date, you may not receive results on time.
Phase 6: Results and certificates
October 2025 test series
Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Checkpoint Global Perspectives results available to download from Direct: 18 December 2025.
Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Checkpoint diagnostic feedback available to download from Direct: 18 December 2025.
End of series reports available to download from the Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary support sites: late December 2025.
June 2025
Phase 3: Coursework and moderation
Return of examined coursework
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 2025 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 from the beginning of September for the syllabuses listed below.
Follow the guidance in section 6.3 of the Cambridge Handbook for enquiries about results for the June 2025 exam series and how to apply. Visit our website for detailed information.
The deadline for submitting enquiries about results is 20 September 2025.
Appeals
Every centre has the right to appeal the outcome of an enquiry of results if they believe 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.
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.
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).
Access to Scripts
Access to Scripts is a new service on My Cambridge where you can download a free copy of a candidate's script showing the most recent stage of marks and annotations only. Access to Scripts is designed to inform and support future teaching, learning and exam preparation in your centre. Most scripts that we scan and mark digitally are available; however, any scripts we do not scan and mark digitally are not. There is more information about the syllabuses and components available via Access to Scripts on our website.
Our usual ‘priority copy of script’ and ‘copy of script’ enquiry about results services are still available, and the fees for requesting these enquiries are available in your fees list on Direct. Scripts requested via an enquiry about results show the marks and annotations from all stages of marking.
Our key dates card provides a useful reminder of all deadlines.
Access Arrangements
The deadline to request access arrangements for retake entries is 10 September 2025. See section 1.3.1 of the Cambridge Handbook for more information.
Final timetables
The final timetables for the November 2025 series are available in 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.
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Your Key Times can be found on the Key Times webpage and are shown as both local time and GMT/UTC. Your centre must make sure that any local Daylight Saving Time (DST) is allowed for.
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.org with ‘Additional Sittings – Compliance’ in the subject line. You must apply for additional sittings at least four weeks before the exam.
UK Basedata
The November 2025 series UK Basedata is available from the 'Support Materials' area within the 'Estimated and Final Entry Forms' section on Direct. Make sure you download the latest version of the basedata. For the November 2025 exam series this is version 2.
Phase 2: Entries
Cambridge Guide to Making Entries
The Cambridge Guide to Making Entries includes all the information you need to make entries for the November 2025 series, including entry option codes. The guide is specific to your administrative zone and can only be downloaded 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 2025 series through Direct or via A2C.
21 September 2025 is the deadline for the following:
Final entries date for first-time entries
Retake entries from the June 2025 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.
Understanding re-take 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. Let us know if there are any errors before the final entries deadline to avoid late entry fees.
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 forwards
Carry-forward regulations supplement
Make sure you always use the latest version of the carry-forward regulations supplement by downloading if 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.
Carry forward of results: Cambridge International AS & A Level Design & Technology (9705) for examination in 2025
Cambridge International AS & A Level Design & Technology (9705) has been revised for first assessment in 2025.
Due to the revision of the qualification, there are some changes to carry-forward options available for assessment in 2025 only. See the 'Carry forward of results' document on the syllabus page for more information.
We made several changes to the syllabus, particularly at A Level, and you should make sure you read the whole syllabus document.
Phase 3: Coursework and moderation
Submitting coursework marks and samples
See our website for 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.
When submitting coursework, you sign a declaration confirming that the work is the candidate’s own original work. This includes confirmation that:
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 candidates 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.
You should contact us if you are unsure whether to submit work or not.
Submitting work using Submit for Assessment
Visit the samples databaseto 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 websiteabout using Submit for Assessment.
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. This means your pre-exam despatch will not include forecast grade forms or internal assessment mark sheets. We will send your pre-exam despatch mid- to late September.
Early question papers and pre-release material
Check ourwebsite 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 Cambridge 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 our Handling 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.
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.
For the November 2025 exam series, we are again expanding our special consideration process for candidates who unexpectedly, for an acceptable reason, miss some components they were entered for.
Candidates entered into the November 2025 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.
Usually, the minimum requirements for calculating an assessed mark are that the candidate must:
have covered the whole course and
have completed 50 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.
See our Special consideration page for more information about the different types of special consideration.
Phase 1: Results and certificates
Results release
We will release results in January 2026.
Cambridge International AS & A Level 9 January 2026 at 06:00 GMT/UTC*
Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge O Level 15 January 2026 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 2026
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 ofDirect this month.
The deadline for submitting estimated entries is 10 October 2025.
Final entries
You will be able to make entries for the June 2026 series from mid-November via Direct or A2C.
Phase 3: Coursework and moderation
Visit the samples databaseto 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 websiteabout using Submit for Assessment.
November 2026
Phase 1: Preparation
Provisional timetables
At the end of October, we will publish provisional versions of the timetables for the November 2026 series. When they are published, you will have four weeks to let us know if you have any major concerns.
Other news
Sharing question papers, progression tests and other materials
You can only share copies of question papers, progression tests and other materials, for which we hold copyright, for your internal purposes. This means they can only be used by learners at your centre in connection with their classwork or internal assessments.
Sharing them more widely risks them becoming publicly available which impacts the experience of learners across the world and breaches the agreement your centre has with Cambridge.
For details of our regulations in relation to sharing our question papers, progression tests and other materials please see Section L of the Cambridge Handbook.
Take part in our Digital Mocks Service - January 2026 series
We are inviting centres to experience our digital mocks service and help us shape the future of digital exams.
To express your interest in our January 2026 digital mocks series, complete our expression of interest form by 19 October. In this series we are offering auto marked and Cambridge examiner marked exams, across a range of Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International AS & A Level subjects. The service is available to a limited number of centres on a first-come, first-served basis.
To find out more information about the programme visit our website.
Fees lists
Our fees lists 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.
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