Summary Regulations for Candidates

Summary Regulations for Candidates - updated April 2026

This document and the Notice to Candidates contain important information about your Cambridge English exam. The full Regulations are available from cambridgeenglish.org/help.

1. Registering for an exam

Your agreement is with the Centre and you pay your fee to them. 
Tell your Centre as soon as possible if you need access arrangements.

2. Photo ID

For Pre A1 Starters, A1 Movers, and A2 Flyers exams, no ID is required. For all other exams, you must bring an original, unexpired photo ID on the exam day or you may not be allowed to take the exam, or you may not receive a result. Candidates aged 18 or over on exam day must present a valid government-issued photo ID. A passport is usually required if taking the exam outside of your home country. Additional ID rules apply for C1 Advanced in some countries. If using the exam for immigration purposes, confirm which ID is required and provide that ID number at registration. Bring the same ID to the exam or notify your Centre before exam day if it changes. 
Check with your Centre in advance if you intend to use a digital ID. 
Candidates aged under 18 without government-issued ID must check with their Centre in advance what other ID options are acceptable.
If you cannot comply with the ID rules, tell your Centre before you register or as soon as your circumstances change.
See the full Regulations for more details.

3. Electronic items

Before exam day make sure you know your Centre’s electronic items policy and the type of storage available. You must not keep electronic items, such as phones and watches (all types), inside the exam room. 
You may be checked for devices on entry.

4. Test day photo

For B2 First, C1 Advanced, and C2 Proficiency exams, we need your photo to be taken on exam day as an extra identity check. By registering for one of these exams you understand, or your parent/guardian understands, that a test day photo will be taken. If you refuse a photo, or your parent/guardian refuses, you may not be allowed to take the exam or you may not receive a result. We will not usually issue a result for C1 Advanced candidates without a photo. For other exams, you must ask your Centre before exam day for a test day photo. Your photo will appear on the Results Verification Service and in your Statement of Results.

5. Taking the exam

Bring pencils, pens, and stationery to the exam, as listed in the Notice to Candidates.
If you arrive late, you may not be allowed to take the exam. The use of offensive language in your exam answers will not be accepted, and you will not receive a result.
We, or your Centre on our behalf, may video and/or audio record your Speaking test for quality, training, security, and/or research purposes.
If you feel unwell on exam day or your performance may be affected, tell the venue staff immediately so your Centre can report it to us for our consideration. If you cannot attend, inform your Centre as soon as possible. Your Centre will advise on refunds, possible rescheduling, and any supporting evidence required (e.g. a medical statement).

6. Suspected malpractice

Cheating, or attempting to cheat, is malpractice. To protect the integrity and reliability of our exams we have strategies, such as statistical analysis, that counter and identify attempts at malpractice. We investigate suspected malpractice, and this may delay your result.
If we determine that our regulations were not followed and/or the scores are not a reliable indicator of your ability, we may withhold or cancel your result. We may also ban you from taking future Cambridge English exams.

7. Results

Your Centre will forward your result for Teaching Knowledge Test exams. For all other exams, your result will be available from the Results Service for Candidates by the last day of the results release window. You need to register to access this service, and your Centre will provide you with the details. 
If we determine that our regulations were not followed and/or the scores are not a reliable indicator of your ability, we may withhold or cancel your result.
We may review results and under exceptional circumstances we may change the result.
All the available information is in your Statement of Results. We will not give feedback on your performance.
If you think your result is not correct, contact your Centre and they will give you details of the enquiries and appeals process, including fees or visit cambridgeenglish.org/help/enquiries-and-appeals.

8. Certificates

If you are due a certificate, we will send it to your Centre 2–4 weeks after we release the results. Contact your Centre for their policy on how to receive your certificate. 
Your Centre may destroy unclaimed certificates after one year. 
If you lose your certificate, you can apply for a Certifying Statement, which provides an official confirmation of your result. If you take Pre A1 Starters, A1 Movers, or A2 Flyers, you can request a replacement certificate within five years of the issue date. There is a fee for these services. 
You can request a name amendment under specific circumstances up to two years after the exam. Contact your Centre for details.

9. Assessment content and copyright

AI-based systems may be used to contribute to the production of some assessment content in our exam products and services. All content is subject to a thorough review and approval process by human experts prior to use. Where AI is used, this is in accordance with our ethical guidelines.
Copyright on all question papers and exam material belongs to us. You must not take question papers, notes, or any other exam material out of the exam room. You must not share or distribute any exam content, including on websites or social media.

10. Complaints

All candidates should have a fair and equal chance to prove their skills. If you have any concerns relating to the delivery of the exam, you should raise a complaint with your Centre. 
We handle complaints in line with our Complaints Policy available on cambridgeenglish.org/help/complaints.

11. Data Protection

If you register for or take a Cambridge English exam, all Personal Data will be processed in accordance with Cambridge’s Candidate Privacy Notice available on cambridge.org/legal/candidate-privacy-notice.