Can Interactive boards be used to play the audio for Foreign Language listening exams?

As long as students cannot control the recording and as long as the board's display is turned off and is not connected to the internet, then this set up should be ok. A member of staff must always control the recording and follow the instructions on the recording. An invigilator should listen to the recording while it is played. 
 
If you will need to transfer the downloaded audio file onto a USB key then, you must follow the requirements below:
 

• You must treat digital confidential materials in the same way as printed materials; see sections 4.3.1 and 4.4.1 of the Cambridge Handbook. All audio files must be downloaded and/or copied in a secure environment (e.g. a private office) by the Head of Centre or exams officer, and another member of staff must watch. This person needs to understand our question paper regulations but does not need to be a senior member of staff. The Head of Centre or exams officer must choose a suitable member of staff. The relevant subject teacher(s) at your centre must not download or be present when files are downloaded.

   

• Once you have securely downloaded the audio file(s) they can be copied onto a portable device, for example a USB drive or laptop. If you are running an exam in more than one exam room in your centre, you will need to copy the relevant audio file onto multiple devices so it can be played in each room. As a minimum, all devices containing audio files must be password protected. If you are using a USB drive, wherever possible this should be encrypted. If you are copying, saving or moving the file from your downloads folder to a different folder or to a different device, you should then delete the file from your ‘Downloads’ folder.

   

• You must keep a record of the audio files you download. You must record (if applicable):

  • how many copies of each audio file you make
  • where each file is saved, e.g. which laptop or USB drive
  • the filepath from each device showing where the file(s) are saved/located
  • who was present when each file was downloaded, copied, or moved
  • who copied or moved it, and when
  • any centre or external venue it was sent to
  • when the device containing the audio file was returned after the exam.

  Keep these records for six months after results are released.

   

  You can download our Record of audio files (XLSX, 138KB) to help you keep a record of the files you download.

   

• You must keep audio files secure at all times and any devices containing them must be password protected. As soon as you download the files from Global Listening, you must also follow the regulations in section 5.7.2.1 of the Cambridge Handbook for checking the sound quality of audio material.

   

If you are planning to use a board within a classroom, then the room must be cleared of any displays or other resources where students could access support.
 
Please refer to the Global Listening page of our website and the Cambridge Handbook 2025 for more information.