Getting the venue ready for a paper-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 paper-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
- the rooms are big enough for all candidates, bearing in mind there must be at least 1.25 m between candidates (from the centre of each desk in each direction)
- desks are large enough to hold two A4 sheets laid side by side
- all candidates’ desks face in one direction (with the exception of the Cambridge English: Young Learners (YLE) exams, where desks can be in any formation – it is also acceptable to sit Cambridge English: Young Learners (YLE) candidates at round tables, as long as the 1.25m distance is maintained)
- there is suitable equipment for Listening tests
- there are no potentially helpful materials on display in the test room; if materials cannot be removed, they must be covered up
- candidates have a method of timing the exam, e.g. a clock in each test room.
Holding a computer-based exam? Learn how you can get your venue ready for a computer-based exam.