Getting the venue ready for a computer-based exam
All exam venues must meet Cambridge Assessment English’s minimum requirements and must be fit for purpose. You can find out more about these requirements by contacting your local authorised exam centre.
When preparing a venue for a computer-based exam, make sure that:
- you have decided whether you are able to provide secure storage for candidate's mobile phones and electronic items outside of the exam room. Discuss this with your exam centre and ensure candidates are told about the arrangements in advance
- no candidate’s work can be overseen by other candidates
- the exam room has enough PCs for the number of candidates (including spares), plus a designated Administration workstation; the ratio of how many PCs to provide can be obtained from your authorised exam centre
- the minimum distance between the edge of one screen and the edge of the next is at least 1.25 metres, unless you are using dividers or privacy filters; if the monitors are positioned back-to-back, separated by dividers or have privacy filters, you must ensure that candidates cannot communicate with each other or see each other’s screens (it is acceptable to sit Cambridge English: Young Learners (YLE) candidates at round tables, as long as the 1.25m distance is maintained)
- there are enough headphones in good working order, including spares, and ‘mute’ on each PC is deselected
- conditions are suitable for candidates to perform at their best – this includes providing adequate lighting in the room while making sure that there is no glare on the screens and that there is enough ventilation or temperature control in the room to compensate for the heat generated by the equipment
- there is enough space at each workstation to enable candidates to make notes if they wish
- where possible, equipment such as screens and chairs is adjustable; you may also wish to provide foot rests and special mouse mats. You must also take into consideration the laws in your country regarding health and safety and computers.
- there are no potentially helpful materials on display in the test room; if materials cannot be removed, they must be covered up.
Holding a paper-based exam? Learn how you can get your venue ready for a paper-based exam.