The aim of using Cambridge Assessment English language exams as an external measurement system is to provide feedback to students, teachers and parents about the children’s English language development.
In upper primary school, scores can boost the students’ grades as part of the Cambridge Plus System. In other words, since the spring of 2018 passing Cambridge test results have been built into the students’ official English grades as follows:
Meeting the set target on the relevant exam results in the award of a “red 5” in the official grade register – essentially, a double 5. Crucially, students whose exam scores do not meet the set target do not receive any grade for the Cambridge Final Exam, so overall grades in English can only be affected positively.
To summarize, provided they meet or exceed the target score on the Cambridge final language exam in their grade, the student receives a “red 5” in the official grade register. If the target score is not met, then no mark is given for the Cambridge Final Exam. This applies to Grades 5 to 8 at the end of each school year.
There is an additional opportunity for a boost in a student’s grade at mid-year in Grade 8.
If the Grade 8 mid-year target score is achieved at the close of Grade 7, then Cambridge Plus is automatically activated for the mid-year final mark in English in Grade 8 as well as for the end-year mark in English in Grade 7 – meaning a “red 5” is entered into the official grade register at both junctures.
If the Grade 8 mid-year target score is not reached at the close of Grade 7, then the student may choose to take an official mock exam in December of Grade 8. If the target level is reached at that point, then Cambridge Plus is activated at mid-year in Grade 8.
So, the results of the Cambridge Final Exams every spring will positively affect the end-of-year marks in English of a great many students. We hope that the opportunity for “double 5” grade boost will be a source of motivation – and a just reward – for your children.