Cambridge English Pretesting

What we do…

We want to make sure that our examinations are as fair as possible, test to the relevant level and that there are no questions which are likely to test anything but a candidate’s language ability. We therefore need detailed statistical data which can be used to help construct examinations which are equivalent in difficulty and content to their predecessors and are, therefore, fair for all candidates.

Before any questions are considered for inclusion in a Cambridge English examination, they are first Pretested on groups of students. Usually, these students are enrolled for the exam in which they are being Pretested. In general, a sample of at least 100 candidates with a variety of first languages take each Pretest.

The Pretesting process

The commissioning of new exam questions takes place at least three years before they are used in an exam. A Pretest is, in most cases, constructed of a number of sections, and are usually as similar as possible to the content of the exam.

Once the papers are despatched to centres, administered and returned to Cambridge, the sample is marked, statistical analyses are produced and then the tests are reviewed in relation to the statistics. This enables us to see what level of difficulty each item has so we can ensure that the questions and tasks are at the right level for the relevant exam. We can also see how successfully each question discriminates between candidates of differing levels.

At the review meeting, a decision is made to amend the question slightly, rewrite it more substantially or reject it. If the question needs rewriting, the question or section may be included in a future Pretest. Once sections are accepted, they are placed in the ‘live exam bank’, ready to be included in different live exams at least two years later.

What do we Pretest?

We provide Pretesting for a wide range of exams, including:

• Cambridge English Qualifications (CEQs)
  • A2 Key/Key for Schools – Reading and Listening
  • B1 Preliminary/Preliminary for Schools – Reading and Listening
  • B2 First/First for Schools – Reading/Use of English and Listening
  • C1 Advanced – Reading, Use of English, Writing and Listening
  • C2 Proficiency – Reading, Use of English and Listening
• Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT)
  • Module 1
  • Module 2
  • Module 3
  • YL
  • CLIL
• Michigan Language Assessments (MLA)
  • ECCE Writing
  • ECPE Writing
  • MET Writing
• Young Learners
  • Offered in the Cambridge English Qualifications Digital for young learners format
  • Pre A1 Starters
  • A1 Movers

For each of these (except MLA and C1 Advanced Writing), candidates are also required to participate in an anchor paper, which is compulsory. These are a vital part of our collection of data about the level of difficulty of our exams, and without this information we are unable to analyse the data from candidates. It is vital that anchor papers are administered to all candidates taking a version that is not writing.

Advantages for candidates

• Pretests give students the opportunity to practise taking a Cambridge English exam using genuine questions under exam conditions.
• After taking the Reading, Listening and Use of English papers, the Pretesting students are given scores. Writing papers are marked by genuine Cambridge English examiners, and candidates receive information about how well they performed in the Writing test.
• This helps students know which areas they need most practice in and gives them experience and confidence in taking tests.

Advantages for Centres

• For teachers, it helps highlight areas where their students might need more help in preparation for the live exams.
• Pretesting is a free service to centres
• Pretesting provides centres with the ability to practice exam administration under exam conditions

What is required of centres

Centres that would like to participate in Pretesting must register to become a Pretesting centre, if they have not already done so. To do this, an online form can be completed here. If you are unsure if you are registered as a Pretesting centre, please contact us at pretesting@cambridgeenglish.org.

When applying to become a Pretesting centre, you are agreeing to observe the requirements of Cambridge English's Pretesting Security Policy, which is, as follows:

• All Pretest materials are strictly confidential. Photocopying of pretest materials is strictly forbidden.​
• All Pretest materials must be checked on arrival and returned to Cambridge at the end of the session. In particular, the same number of question papers must be returned, including all unused question papers. The Declaration of Security on the return envelope must be signed to confirm this.
• Pretest materials must be kept in secure storage areas (a locked safe or a locked room).
• The despatch of pretest materials back to Cambridge must be secure, using My DHL+.
• Pretest institution staff are not permitted to discuss or go over the test with students before, during or after the test.
• The Instructions to Invigilators and Administrators give guidance on administering the pretests which should be conducted as much as possible like a live examination.
• Any breach of this pretesting security policy must be notified immediately to Cambridge English.

Live centres do not require a referee and will be automatically approved when the form is processed. If you are a preparation centre, Cambridge English will approach a referee to endorse your application and agree that your centre meets the security requirements as indicated above – the application form indicates a list of suitable contacts for the referee.

How to Request Pretests

Once you are registered as a Pretesting centre, please view the Pretesting calendar where you will be able to see upcoming sessions and when requests open and close. For the Digital exams, you will be informed when requests are opened, via email. 

You can request Pretests for upcoming sessions using the below forms, once requests have been opened:

Pretest Paper Request Form – CEQs, TKT and MLA

Cambridge English Qualifications Digital for young learners Expression of Interest Form

Cambridge English Qualifications Digital for young learners

We are now Pretesting for an exciting new digital assessment – Pre A1 Starters Digital and A1 Movers Digital, which are at the same level as paper-based Pre A1 Starters and A1 Movers. These Pretests are taken on PCs with headphones. They provide an immersive, engaging and child-centred experience which are enjoyable and motivating. 

You can choose to run the exams at any point during a confirmed session window.

You will need to complete the digital Pretests and paper-based anchor tests and return the papers within this session window.

The Digital test has a Listening and a Reading & Writing component. Candidates are expected to sit both components.

The administration of the test is straightforward. You will have access to the Exam Day Booklet in advance and we will answer any questions you may have.

Minimum device specifications:

Most recent version of Safari or Chrome browser.

Minimum screen resolution of 1024x768

Digital test duration:

We recommend the below test timings but allow candidates to finish the pretests even if they need more time.

Listening: approx. 50 minutes

Reading & Writing: approx. 50 minutes 

Paper-based anchor test duration:

The paper-based anchor test can be taken on any day, but the digital test must be taken first.

Listening: approx. 20-25 minutes

Reading & Writing: approx. 20-30 minutes

If you are interested, please sign up to become a Pretesting centre so that you are kept up to date with upcoming Pretesting sessions.

Upcoming – Pretesting in Inspera

Are you delighted with our new digital A2-C2 for live exams? You may be interested to know we are going to be doing some Pretesting on the same platform in July 2025!

If you are interested, please sign up to become a Pretesting centre so that you are kept up to date with the news. We are also running a pilot for this in May 2025 – if you are interested in participating in the pilot, please let us know.