Summary Regulations for Candidates

Summary Regulations for Candidates - updated December 2024

This document and the Notice to Candidates contain important information about your Cambridge English exam. The full regulations are in the Regulations (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 any access/special arrangements so that they can do their best to put them in place for you in time for your exam.

2. Photo ID

Except for Pre A1 Starters, Pre A1 Starters Digital, A1 Movers, A1 Movers Digital, and A2 Flyers exams, you must have 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. Digital/electronic ID is not accepted.
If you want to use the exam for immigration purposes, check which ID the relevant immigration authority accepts, give the ID number of that ID to your Centre when you register, and take the same ID to the exam.
There are extra ID rules for C1 Advanced and for candidates taking the exam outside of their country of permanent residence, see the full Regulations for details.
If you cannot comply with the ID rules, tell your Centre before you register or as soon as circumstances change.

3. Electronic items

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

4. Test day photo

For some exams (currently B2 First, C1 Advanced, and C2 Proficiency), we need your photo to be taken on the 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 decline, or your parent/guardian declines, a photo to be taken, you may not be allowed to take the exam or you may not receive a result. For C1 Advanced candidates without a test day photo, Cambridge will not normally issue a result.

5. Taking the exam

Bring pencils, pens and allowed stationery to the exam.
If you arrive late, you may not be allowed to take the exam.
The use of offensive (e.g., rude or racist) 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 or audio record your Speaking test for quality, integrity and/or research purposes.
If you do not feel well on the exam day or think that your work may be affected for other reasons, tell the venue staff immediately. If appropriate, your Centre will report this to us for consideration.
If you cannot attend the exam, inform your Centre as soon as possible. You may receive a full/partial refund or be able to register for another exam date. Your Centre may ask you for supporting evidence such as a medical statement.

6. Suspected malpractice and cheating

We value the integrity and reliability of our exams, and all candidates should have a fair and equal chance to prove their skills. Cheating, or attempting to cheat, is considered malpractice.
We investigate suspected malpractice. This may delay your result.
If we determine that our rules and regulations may have been broken 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 website by the end of the results release date window. You need to register to access this website and your Centre will provide you with the details.
If we determine that our rules and regulations may have been broken 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 a result.
If you think your result is not correct, contact your Centre and they will give you details of the enquiries and appeals process, including the fees or you can visit cambridgeenglish.org.

We will not give feedback on your performance. All the available information is in your Statement of Results.

8. Certificates

If we award you a certificate, we will send it to your Centre 2–4 weeks after the results are released depending on the exam you take. Contact your Centre for their policy on how to receive your certificate.
Your Centre can 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, Pre A1 Starters Digital, A1 Movers, A1 Movers Digital, or A2 Flyers, you can request a replacement certificate within five years of the issue date. There is a fee for this service.
You can request a name amendment under certain circumstances up to two years after the exam. Contact your Centre for details.

9. Copyright

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 distribute and/or post any exam content on websites or social media.

10. Complaints

If you have any concerns relating to the delivery of the exam, you can raise a complaint with your Centre. Any complaints forwarded to us will be handled 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.