Handling confidential materials

Before each exam series, we send you confidential materials for individual components in blue question paper packets, pictured below.
Depending on the component, there are different regulations regarding:
• when to open individual packets of confidential materials
• who can see the contents of the packet
• how to store the packet after it has been opened.

The table on the back explains the regulations for each type of component. We have produced it as an A3 document so you can print and
display it in your secure storage room.

Further guidance
Do not worry if you do not receive materials for any late or amended entries in main despatches; they will arrive at a later date.
Make sure all confidential material despatches are passed to the exams officer on arrival.

When confidential despatches arrive, the exams officer and another member of staff must check the despatch note to make sure they
have received all the materials listed. Do not open the question paper packets at this time. Keep signed and dated records to show the
packets have been checked. If the despatch has been damaged or opened in transit, complete and return Before the Exams – Form 3.
If you are missing any of the question paper packets listed on the despatch note, complete and return Before the Exams – Form 2.
Both forms are available from www.cambridgeinternational.org/forms

If you think you have opened a question paper packet before you are meant to, please email info@cambridgeinternational.org as soon
as possible so we can provide you with support and maintain the security of the question papers.

Before each timetabled exam, it is best practice for two members of staff to collect the question paper packet(s) from the secure storage
area. In the exam room, they must both check that the syllabus and component on the front of the packet match the syllabus and
component on the timetable and attendance register, before opening the packet and handing out the question papers to candidates.
If you open a question paper packet in error, complete and return Exam day – Form 11 immediately. This form is available from
www.cambridgeinternational.org/forms

You must store confidential materials securely according to the regulations in Part 4 of the Cambridge Handbook. If you are unsure
about your secure storage arrangements contact our Compliance team at info@cambridgeinternational.org

Syllabus and
component code

Timetable
session
Contents of
the packet

Handling
instructions

Question paper packet for a timetabled exam

Important information
If you are unsure when to open a packet of confidential materials, contact our Customer Services team at
info@cambridgeinternational.org or your Cambridge Associate for guidance before opening the packet.

www.cambridgeinternational.org/examsofficers
 Handling confidential materials continued
Packet
Question papers for
timetabled exams
Question papers for
Cambridge IGCSE ICT (0417)
and Cambridge International
AS & A Level Applied ICT
(9713) practical tests
Instructions for practical tests
in science syllabuses
Teachers’ Notes and
speaking test cards for
Cambridge IGCSE
speaking tests
Open book or plain text
literature components:
• English Literature
(0486/03)
• Spanish Literature
(0488/01)
CDs for listening tests
DVDs for Cambridge
International AS & A Level
Media Studies (9607/02)
Erratum notices
Other early or pre-release
materials not listed above
Important information
Store all packets securely according to the regulations in Part 4 of the Cambridge Handbook.
www.cambridgeinternational.org/examsofficers
What do I do next?
At the start of the exam:
• When candidates are seated, two members of staff must check they have the correct packet before opening it
and handing out question papers.
• If you have a large number of candidates see section 5.1.8 of the Cambridge Handbook.
After the exam:
• Store question papers securely for at least 24 hours after the end of the exam or Key Time, whichever is later.
• Then return question papers to candidates and centre staff at your discretion.
Exception: ICT practical tests (see below).
We do not specify a session but you must conduct the tests on the date shown in the timetable. Wherever possible,
candidates from the same school should sit their test at the same time. Tell us if you need to run more than one
session. The sessions should follow on from each other.
At the start of the exam:
• When candidates are seated, two members of staff must check they have the correct packet before opening it
and handing out question papers.
• If you are running several sessions of the same test, store question papers securely between sessions.
• Candidates in different sessions should have no contact with each other and should be supervised accordingly.
After the exam:
• Return question papers that candidates have used with their work.
• Store unused question papers securely until after the exam series.
• As soon as they arrive, the supervisor in charge of the laboratory must open and read the instructions so they
can carry out proper preparations before the exam. Store the instructions securely at all times.
• Do not share the information with candidates or discuss with any other centre. Contact us if you have any
questions about the instructions.
Cambridge IGCSE speaking tests must take place within the test date window.
Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language (0510 and 0511): One working day before the tests open the
packet containing the Teachers’ Notes so the teacher/examiner can study the content before the tests.
All other qualifications: Four working days before the tests open the packet containing the Teachers’ Notes.
• The Teachers’ Notes include a copy of the speaking test cards so you do not need to open the separate packet
of cards before the tests.
• Only the teacher/examiner conducting the tests can view the materials before the tests.
• Once these packets have been opened the contents remain confidential and you must store them securely until
the end of the window.
One hour before the exam:
• The Head of Department or teacher (in the presence of the Head of Centre or their Deputy) can open the
question paper packet to check the page references with specific editions of texts.
• Reseal the packet and store it securely until the exam.
At the start of the exam:
• When candidates are seated, two members of staff must check they have the correct question paper packet
before opening it and handing out question papers.
After the exam:
• Store the question papers securely for at least 24 hours after the end of the exam or Key Time, whichever is
later.
• Then return question papers to candidates and centre staff at your discretion.
• As soon as the CDs arrive, the exams officer must spot-check them for sound quality.
• One working day before the exam, the exams officer must spot-check the acoustics of the test material at the
appropriate volume in the exam room.
• During these checks, do not listen to the test material in full or remove it from the centre.
• After each check return the material to secure storage until the exam.
• As soon as the DVDs arrive, the exams officer must spot-check them for sound and visual quality.
• One working day before the exam, the exams officer must spot-check the sound and visual quality of the test
material in the exam room.
• During these checks, do not view the test material in full or remove it from the Centre.
• After each check return the material to secure storage until the exam.
• Read the instructions on the packet carefully.
• Unless otherwise stated on the packet, the exams officer or Head of Centre must open and read erratum
notices immediately.
• Store them securely until the exam.
• For some syllabuses we send you pre-release materials. Further information is in the relevant syllabus.
• Email info@cambridgeinternational.org if you are unsure what to do with these items.