Cambridge Assessment reaches record numbers of learners

Cambridge Assessment has announced that its ambition of reaching many millions more learners is on track, after “a year of continued growth”. 

Figures released in the group’s 2018-19 Annual Review reveal that its international exam board Cambridge Assessment English has seen two million annual entries for its English qualifications for the first time, and the number of schools teaching Cambridge Assessment International Education programmes around the world is at a record high. The group’s UK exam board OCR also saw an increase in demand for its vocational and computer science qualifications.

OET, an English language test for healthcare professionals offered by Cambridge English, reached 200 per cent more learners over the past year. Over 800 new organisations announced recognition for Cambridge English qualifications and tests, bringing the total to more than 25,000.

Over the 2018-19 period covered by the Annual Review, Cambridge International saw a seven per cent growth in demand for Cambridge International A Levels, and international entries for Cambridge IGCSE have risen by four per cent. In the USA, Cambridge Pathway programmes are now used in schools in 32 American states. 

Demand for OCR’s computer science qualifications also increased, with an eight per cent rise in GCSE entries and A Levels going up by 17 per cent. OCR’s vocational qualifications also reached more learners this year, with Cambridge Nationals and Cambridge Technicals up by 62 and 17 per cent respectively.

In his introduction to the Cambridge Assessment Annual Review, Chief Executive Saul Nassé said: “We are making huge strides in our ambition to reach millions more learners”. Referring to the joint acquisition of Durham University’s renowned Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM) with Cambridge University Press in June 2019, he said: “We believe we can reach significantly more learners around the world with CEM’s assessments.” CEM is used by education professionals in over 70 countries around the world.

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