01/05/2024
Cambridge’s Pamela Baxter explains how the new digital way to take Cambridge English Qualifications gives maximum flexibility to exam centres and English learners around the world. Pamela is Chief Product Officer for the English team at Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
The English language education landscape is changing, and we want to provide an enhanced exam experience that reflects our customers’ everyday lives. It’s become second nature for students all over the world to carry out many daily activities on screen and this includes learning and other educational pursuits.
Cambridge English Qualifications Digital: a closer look
With this in mind we’ve just launched Cambridge English Qualifications Digital - which is a game changer in terms of the benefits we can offer our customers around the world. The new digital capability, launched in March, sees our current computer-based delivery model moved to a more flexible platform. Our main aim was to vastly improve the overall experience for everyone, without sacrificing the quality that our customers around the world expect. So, we’re testing the same knowledge and skills you will find in the paper-based test, but in a digital format.
Putting candidates in the driving seat
The new platform has been designed to improve the candidate journey and offer more flexibility to our exam centres around the world. It’s available for anyone taking a Cambridge English Qualification from A2 Key to C2 Proficiency. It brings huge benefits for candidates at the three crucial stages of their journey - before, during and after the exam.
Candidates now have more choice of when they can take the exam, as our centres can run them whenever they want. On exam day, here’s what candidates taking the digital option can expect: In the reading part of the test for example they can make notes and highlight text on screen to help keep them on track. And the writing part of the test is a similar digital experience too because they write on screen, go back, edit, and make notes. And they wear headphones when taking the listening part of the test, with adjustable volume to help with concentration. We’ve also put in features to help candidates keep on track throughout the exam, such as a wordcount.
At the end of their test, the candidate will receive their results much faster than the paper-based counterpart. We know getting fast results is something that candidates really value, especially if they need their result to apply for further study, immigration or a job. We’re keeping our paper-based option available too, so candidates still have the choice.
What are the benefits for exam centres?
Our test centres wanted more flexibility, and that has been one of the driving forces behind the new digital approach. Exam centres offering Cambridge English Qualifications Digital are no longer constrained by fixed dates and can offer exams any day they want, 365 days a year.
When centres offer the digital versions of the qualifications to groups of candidates, the automated test construction approach means each candidate is taking a different test, which can also help to increase security. We’re able to produce individual test taker versions due to our comprehensive item bank that has been built over three decades.
Supporting candidate preparation
The new digital versions of the qualifications are complemented by our digital practice materials. Digital solutions make it easy to build assessment points into the learning journey, providing learners with guidance as they go. This is great because students taking this route can really benefit from our integrated approach to learning and assessment. If I was to give teachers one recommendation, I'd encourage them to immerse their students in our digital support materials. There are our digital practice tests, which mirror Cambridge English Qualifications Digital. And Test & Train, is an easy-to-use tool with hundreds of practice questions in a digital format. We also have a wide range of print and digital preparation materials that can be used to help prepare students for Cambridge English Qualifications in general, both paper based and digital.
A modern-day experience
Ultimately, we’re delivering a modern examination format in the way our customers expect. As one Cambridge English candidate put it: “Nowadays, we live in a digital society, so we feel very comfortable.” At Cambridge, we have the unrivalled knowledge and experience of what makes a good test, and world leading experts enabling us to deliver this digitally.
Bringing the two together and providing something really special for our customers around the world is incredibly exciting.
Pamela Baxter is Chief Product Officer at Cambridge University Press & Assessment
What else is Cambridge doing in terms of digital?
Cambridge English Qualifications Digital is part of a wider commitment in Cambridge to digital learning and assessment. English language learners and teachers can read more about our Authentic Digital Practice Tests.
You can also read about a recent trial which saw thousands of students sit digital mock ‘high stakes’ exams, such as GCSE, Cambridge IGCSE and International AS Level.
Read how OCR will offer the UK's first major 'high-stakes' qualification to be fully assessed on screen.