Students to receive certs despite exam cancellations

PETALING JAYA: Major examination bodies Cambridge International and International Baccalaureate will still be awarding certificates to candidates despite cancelling exams in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cambridge International, which cancelled its examinations in May and June, will be grading candidates using evidence of its own as well as evidence it receives from schools.

“Schools have been asked to collaborate with us as we make evidence-based decisions about grades for each candidate in each subject they have entered for in the May/June 2020 exam series for Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level, Cambridge International AS & A Level and Cambridge Pre-U.

“We are now asking schools to consider what evidence they will be able to gather to support these decisions. The evidence should consist of examples of work candidates have done to prepare for their May/June 2020 exams, ” it said in a statement on its website.

It added that the types of evidence that might be available could include but will not be limited to mock exams, coursework (complete or incomplete), assignments, AS Level results for "staged-route" A Level candidates, and grades in previous sittings for candidates re-taking exams.

It said that Cambridge educators are not required to set new mock papers, assignments or ask candidates to complete unfinished coursework for the purposes of gathering evidence.

“However, if you are able and feel this would help your evidence then you are free to do so. Meanwhile, you can also continue setting assignments to candidates to support ongoing teaching and learning while they are at home, ” it said.

Cambridge International also said it will provide regular updates for schools and added that the next update is scheduled to be next Tuesday, which will include details of evidence processing.

The International Baccalaureate, which also cancelled examinations scheduled between April 30 and May 22 for the Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme, said candidates will still be awarded a Diploma or a Course Certificate which reflects their standard of work.

Results will be calculated based on “vast historical assessment data”, the organisation said.

“We will undertake significant data analysis from previous exam sessions, individual school data, subject data as well as comparative data of schools which have already completed uploading requirements and those who have not.

“Schools are required to submit the coursework for all candidates. We will externally mark work that is usually marked by teachers, instead of taking samples and applying moderation, ” it said in a statement on its website.

The organisation intends to release results to institutions and schools as planned on July 5.

“All student coursework and associated predicted grades will need to be uploaded by April 20, if not sooner, to guarantee delivery of results by July 5, ” it said.

Meanwhile, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (Cima) exams will be conducted remotely from May 2020.

This applies to students sitting for the Cima Objective Tests and Case Study exams. The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Cima said, has been working closely with its testing partners to come up with a solution since the beginning of the pandemic.

“This move will enable students to continue to progress in their journey of becoming Chartered Global Management Accountants (CGMA) and increase the pool of management accountants who are able to support businesses and public services, ” it said.

Association of International Certified Professional Accountants Management Accounting Examinations vice-president Stephen Flatman said Cima students will be able to take their exams from their homes and with minimal disruption.

Association of International Certified Professional Accountants chief executive Andrew Harding said the change of approach will help Cima students keep their careers moving and it will benefit both the individuals and economy in the long term.

Cima will be regularly sending follow-up communications in the coming weeks, the institute said.