Frequently asked questions about exams

Information about available exam sessions is provided on our website and the specific sessions will be opened in our registration system. Please check for information on available exams dates Aptis / IELTS / Cambridge English.  

We are aware that because of the restrictions brought about by Covid-19 there are many Cambridge test takers waiting to sit exams. We are working with our Cambridge English colleagues to offer you a wide choice of exam sessions over the summer period. This will, however, be dependent on availability of appropriate test venues as we are obliged to deliver our exams with strict health and safety measures in place.

If you did not request a refund after your original session was suspended, we will inform you as soon as your session is transferred to a new date. If your test centre is already delivering exams, we will contact you with a new test date shortly. 

If your test centre has transferred you to a new date and you were not consulted about this prior to the change, you can ask for a one-off transfer at no cost to a new session that falls on a date before the end of August, if one is available. If you were consulted about the new test date and agreed to it at the time of consultation you are not eligible for a transfer free of cost. You will need to contact your test centre, providing a valid reason for the request and if accepted you will be charged a small fee for the transfer. This is a standard procedure for regular transfers.

You will be sent a session timetable with all information required for the test day (venue, hour of arrival, time of test, etc.) before your exam date, along with information outlining the safety measures and requirements for the test day. If you have not received any communication 48 hours before your exam please contact your test centre immediately.

-We are working with Cambridge English to agree a calendar of sessions that will meet the needs of both our individual candidates and the schools/institutions that register candidates with us.

This is a work in progress. Please keep checking our website for up to date information about the exam session calendar.

Most of our offices, even in places where we have already re-opened delivery of exams, are currently not open to the public. Test venues have limits on numbers of candidates that can be seated there. This will depend on local government regulations and the size of the venue. As we are maintaining physical distancing at all test venues, we will be able to accommodate fewer candidates than before Covid-19.

The health and safety of our test takers and staff is our priority. We ensure that:

• All official and British Council health, safety and social distancing guidelines are in place and observed.
• Our test centre staff are briefed on what to do and how to care for test-takers from the time your arrival to your departure from our exam venues.

We have put the following measures in place to make our test centres as safe as possible:

• Test venues are cleaned before, during and after each test session.
• All test day equipment and furniture is sanitised before and after each test session.
• Our staff wear masks.
• You will be required to wear a mask in all common areas and maintain the minimum official physical distance at all times.
• You may also wear latex gloves, if you wish, although this is not required.
• We provide sanitisers throughout the test venue and we ask that all test takers use them regularly and wash their hands to help ensure a safe environment.
• You will be asked to bring your own stationary on the test day.

All test takers and test day staff are required to wear masks in the test venue, even if local government regulations do not require it.

• We will have hand sanitisers located at different points at the test venue. We will also ensure that there is liquid soap in the bathrooms so that test takers can wash their hands.
• We will not be providing masks, but test takers will be required to bring their own on the test day.
• We will not be providing latex gloves. You can bring your own but they are not mandatory.

Your test centre will inform you of the method of delivery. As our exam centres are only open for exam sessions but not to the general public, your certificate will be sent to the address you provided at registration.