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Dear Colleague
I am contacting you because candidates at your centre sat a multiple-choice question paper for one or more of the following syllabuses/components:
- Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620/11,21; Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (9-1) 0971/11, 21; Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (Core) 0468/01
- Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625/11,21; Cambridge IGCSE Physics (9-1) 0972/11, 21; Cambridge IGCSE Physics (Core) 0469/01
- Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610/11, 21; Cambridge IGCSE Biology (9-1) 0970/11, 21; Cambridge IGCSE Biology (Core) 0467/01
We are sorry to confirm that, against our regulations, content from the multiple-choice question papers listed above was shared online through social media channels. This happened after each exam finished in administrative zone 4, and before the exams were timetabled to start in administrative zone 3.
The content shared on social media includes a small number of common questions that appear on the different variants of these question papers. We are aware that the shared papers from administrative zone 4 were seen by candidates in administrative zone 3 who had not yet sat the exam and that this could have given them an unfair advantage. We understand that schools in Egypt, Jordan and Kuwait have expressed concern about this. We share this concern, and we are writing to tell you the actions we are taking to make sure that no candidate in any country is unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged by this security breach.
To maintain the integrity and fairness of the assessment for all candidates worldwide, we will award an ‘assessed mark’ for these components to all candidates in Egypt, Kuwait and Jordan in place of using the marks from the multiple-choice paper. This allows us to award candidates a fair grade and at the same time prevent them from being unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged.
I appreciate you may have questions about this approach and that it may disappoint some schools and candidates who have worked hard to prepare for these exams. We understand and share this disappointment and are taking this action to allow us to award all candidates a fair grade.
How are assessed marks calculated?
We calculate assessed marks based on how the marks the candidate scored in the components they sat compare to the marks scored by all candidates for those components.
This places the candidate in the same position for the component(s) they did not sit as their position for the components they did. It makes sure candidates with assessed marks for a component are not given an advantage or disadvantage compared to the candidates who sat the component. There is more information about assessed marks on our website.
Investigating malpractice cases
I would like to reassure you that we take cases of malpractice extremely seriously and that we are investigating the source of this unauthorised sharing. We will take action against any centre, or candidate, we find to be failing to comply with our regulations to keep exam materials secure for 24 hours after the exam finishes. The regulations are detailed in section 5.6 of the Cambridge Handbook.
If we find evidence that shows a centre, or candidate, has committed malpractice we may deduct marks or award no marks for a component. There is more information about possible outcomes of a malpractice investigation in section 5.6.7 of the Cambridge Handbook.
Additional preventative measures
I understand that you may be concerned about question papers with common questions being shared between administrative zones in future exam series. We will take additional preventative measures in future exam series, including:
- reminding schools in earlier time zones that they must follow our regulation to store all question papers securely for 24 hours after the exam or the Key Time, whichever is later
- increasing the number of inspections at centres in the earlier time zones to check they comply with our regulations to make sure all exam materials are accounted for and kept secure for 24 hours after the end of the exam
- where we have concerns, requiring schools in earlier time zones to start exams at the Key Time and keep candidates in Full Centre Supervision for a specific period of time after the exam
- reminding candidates of the penalties if they share confidential exam materials
- reviewing exam timings in earlier time zones
- reminding social media sites that they must not allow sharing of confidential material.
What do I need to do?
Please share this information with your Head of Centre and any other relevant teaching colleagues. We also encourage you to share this information with the affected candidates at your centre.
If you have any questions, please contact us: info@cambridgeinternational.org
If you work with us through the British Council please contact your local office in the first instance.
Best wishes
Christopher Le Mottee
Compliance Manager
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