Why Cambridge

• Around the world our exams are trusted as true evidence of a learner’s ability in English.
• Designed to encourage real-life English skills

Our exams are designed to assess how learners use English to communicate in real-life situations. Teachers preparing students for our exams give their students communication skills they will be able to use in a range of international English-speaking environments, including everyday use, study and work.

• Secure and trusted

Each stage of the administration, delivery and certification of our exams is subject to the highest levels of security. Because of our uncompromising approach to security, agencies such as the Australian, UK and Canadian governments rely on our exams for immigration purposes, and thousands of universities, colleges and employers around the world trust our exams for recruitment.

• Continuously reviewed and improved

Each stage of the administration, delivery and certification of our exams is subject to the highest levels of security. Because of our uncompromising approach to security, agencies such as the Australian, UK and Canadian governments rely on our exams for immigration purposes, and thousands of universities, colleges and employers around the world trust our exams for recruitment.

• Continuously reviewed and improved

All of our exams are part of a continuous programme of quality assurance which ensures they are up to date, accurate and relevant. For each new exam date, a unique version of the exam is developed, and is passed through a demanding process of quality assurance and pretesting before we are satisfied that it is ready to be released.

We periodically review all of our exams to ensure they reflect the latest research and methodology for teaching and learning. This year we are releasing new updated versions of Cambridge English: First, Cambridge English: First for Schools and Cambridge English: Advanced.

• Backed by world-leading research

 All Cambridge English exams are supported by research from the largest dedicated research team of any English language assessment provider. Because we are a not-for-profit department of the University of Cambridge, we have a strong commitment to education. For this reason, in addition to contributing research and expertise to important projects such as the European Survey on Language Competences and English Profile, we share much of our research with the wider language-learning and assessment community through publications such as Research Notes and Studies in Language Testing.

• Instantly verifiable

Our free online Results Verification Service allows colleges, universities, employers and government agencies to verify a candidate’s result, quickly, easily and securely. www.cambridgeenglish.org/verifiers

• Accepted worldwide

 With over a century of being at the forefront of English language assessment, we have a reputation for providing high-quality, reliable assessment that spans the globe. More than 15,000 organisations officially recognise Cambridge English exams.

• Reliable and fair

Everything we do reflects our uncompromising approach to quality. Our exams test learners’ abilities thoroughly in all four language skills – Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking – to develop an accurate assessment of their ability to communicate. We carry out extensive international pretests on our exams to ensure they are consistently accurate and are fair to test takers around the world.

• Results you can trust

Candidates are given accurate results quickly – in as little as two weeks for most computer-based exams. From 2015 Cambridge English exam results will also be reported on the Cambridge English Scale, providing detailed results that make it easier for:

 • candidates to show they have the right language skills for university, visa or employment applications

• teachers to get detailed feedback on their students’ performance and identify areas for improvement

• employers and learning institutions to specify the language skills they need.

• What is the Cambridge English Scale?

The Cambridge English Scale is a single range of scores used to report results for Cambridge English exams. It covers all levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Candidates receive a Statement of Results that gives a score for each skill (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking) plus Use of English. They also get an overall score on the scale for the exam.

 Scores on the Cambridge English Scale will replace the standardised score and candidate profile previously provided on the Statement of Results. Candidates will continue to receive a CEFR level and grade.

The Cambridge English Scale is being introduced for Cambridge English: First, First for Schools, Advanced and Proficiency from January 2015, with other exams due to be added during the year. Find out more at www.cambridgeenglish.org/cambridgeenglishscale

• Aligned to internationally accepted language standards

All of our language exams are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) – the international standard for describing language ability. This not only makes it easier to set clear targets for language learning, it helps colleges, universities, employers and government agencies understand what a learner can do with English.

Find out more at www.cambridgeenglish.org/cefr