What if we have more candidates entered for a practical exam than can be accommodated at one time?

If more candidates are entered for a practical exam than can be accommodated at one time, you may divide candidates into two groups, or more, if necessary. All groups must take the exam on the same day, with the minimum delay between sittings. You must apply for our permission to hold additional sittings. Submit your request using Preparation – Form 8. Send it to info@cambridgeinternational.org with ‘Additional Sittings – Compliance’ in the subject line at least four weeks before the date of the affected exam. See instructions for ‘Additional sittings’ section 1.2.4 in our Cambridge Handbook.  You do not need to list all candidates affected; however, you must make accurate seating plans and attendance registers for each sitting and attach these to the supervisor’s report. In addition, you must keep a copy of the forms until the end of the enquiries about results period.

You must plan to keep the groups apart until all candidates have taken the exam. Candidates waiting to take the exam must gain no knowledge of its contents. Security of the exam must be always maintained, and you may need to conduct periods of Full Centre Supervision.

See the ‘Key Times and Full Centre Supervision’ section and ‘Large number of candidates’ section 5.7.1.4 in our  Cambridge Handbook.