Oxford, Edexcel, Cambridge Cancel Exams
The Cambridge International exam board has cancelled its IGCSE exams, citing the increased number of countries closing schools as the reason behind its u-turn. Previously the exam board had said exams would continue in countries where it was safe for them to take place.
The decision follows the cancellation of GCSEs, AS Levels and A Levels in the UK, and most recently, on the 23rd March IB examinations which were due to be held in May.
Pearson Edexcel and Oxford AQA, on Tuesday 24th March, joined Cambridge Assessment in cancelling all its exams.
The Cambridge exam board statement reads:
"The situation with the Covid-19 outbreak is changing rapidly. In recent days, many more countries have decided to extend school closures into May and June, making it impossible for many of our schools to hold examinations.
"We have been consulting closely with our global community of schools, who need as much certainty as possible at an uncertain time. Our priority is to protect the safety and wellbeing of our students and teachers, ensure fairness for all our students and support them in continuing with their education.
"Today, therefore, we have taken the difficult decision not to run our international examinations in the May/June 2020 series in any country. This includes Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level, Cambridge International AS & A Level, Cambridge AICE Diploma and Cambridge Pre-U.
"We recognise that students have been working very hard towards these exams. We will be working with schools to assess students’ achievements using the best available evidence. Students will receive a grade and a certificate from Cambridge International, given the knowledge and skills they have acquired in their programmes of study. This will ensure students do not face disadvantage as a result of these extraordinary circumstances.
"We will provide guidance to schools on how students will receive those grades. We are talking to universities worldwide, and they are factoring these unprecedented circumstances into admissions decisions, so students can continue with their education journeys as soon as possible.
"We are also aware of the impact the situation may have on student motivation and learning. Many of our schools are working hard to deliver teaching online to support their students’ learning. We will continue to offer a wide range of support and resources for schools, teachers and students.
"We will provide an update for schools on Thursday 26 March and as regularly as possible. We know that schools will need clear guidance very soon, and we are working around the clock on how to deliver valuable outcomes to students in the many countries where we work.
The Pearson Edexcel statement adds:
"We have today made the difficult decision not to hold any General Qualification exams in May and June 2020 globally. This applies to iPrimary, iLower Secondary, International GCSE and International A Levels, as well as our UK GCSE and A level qualifications.
"We remain committed to ensuring that all students internationally receive a result and a grade, and we will award grades to international students using the same principles as for the UK GCSE and A level qualifications.
"This will provide timely results and consistency for all students globally to progress to further study, university or employment."
Oxford AQA said:
"In recent days, it has become clear that there is still a great deal of uncertainty as to whether schools will be open in May and June. We have also been hearing from students in countries where schools have been closed that while they have been working hard, it has not been the same as receiving face-to-face teaching.
In light of these developments, we believe the best way to ensure all students have the same opportunity to receive a fair assessment is to offer everyone the same option - so we are cancelling the May/June international GCSE and A-level exam series and offering all students a calculated grade. This will help ensure that the school community remains safe and well, while enabling students to progress to the next stage of their education."
