June 2023 series – changes to provisional

timetable based on feedback from centres

Background
It takes us around nine months to create the timetable for each exam series. We work hard to create a
timetable that avoids clashes and logistical problems for our centres. We create exam timetables for
centres in 160 countries around the world. This means we cannot prevent all timetable clashes or avoid
scheduling some exams on public holidays. Our video explains how we timetable our exams. You might
find it useful to share it with parents or others in your school.

We publish a provisional copy of the timetable for each exam series for schools to review and raise any
major concerns. The provisional June 2023 timetable was available for you to review on Cambridge
International Direct (Direct) from 31 May to 28 June 2022. We have reviewed and considered carefully all
the feedback we received from centres and this document summarises the main feedback concerns and
the changes we have made to accommodate them.

We received feedback from 67 centres, including British Council and other Cambridge Associates’ schools.
Before making changes, we work with our regional teams to make sure we understand the context of the
feedback comments and then we discuss the feedback and proposals with a panel that includes directors
and other senior members of our staff.

You can view the final timetable on our website. The document summarises the main changes but does
not list every change we’ve made.

Main pieces of feedback

1. Timetable clash between Cambridge IGCSE & Cambridge GCE O-level

Accounting (0452 & 7707) and Cambridge IGCSE & Cambridge GCE O-level
Physics Practicals and Alternative to Practical (0625/51 & 0625/61 and
5054/31 & 5054/41)
What you told us

Cambridge IGCSE & Cambridge GCE O-level Accounting (0452 & 7707) and Cambridge IGCSE &
Cambridge GCE O-level Physics Practicals and Alternatives to Practical (0625 & 5054) would be difficult
for candidates to manage.

What we have done

To resolve this clash, Cambridge IGCSE & Cambridge GCE O-level Accounting (0452 & 7707) Paper 2 is
now timetabled on 19 May rather than 16 May 2023. This is now timetabled with Cambridge IGCSE First
Language Spanish (0502) paper 2. Based on entries for recent June series’, this means fewer candidates
will be impacted. We hope this helps reduce the pressure on candidates taking these papers.

June 2023 provisional timetable – feedback received from centres 1

 For more information on managing timetable clashes see section 1.2 of the Cambridge Handbook.

2. Timetable clash between Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry

Practical (9702) and Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620)
What you told us

You told us the timetable clash between Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry Practical
(9702) and Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) would be logistically difficult to manage.

What we have done

To resolve this clash, Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry Practical (9702) paper 31, 33 & 35
are now timetabled on 18 May rather than 11 May 2023. We hope this reduces logistical issues for the
running of science practicals this series.

3. Scheduling exams during public, school and religious holidays

What you told us

Some exams in the timetable are scheduled during public, school or religious holidays.

What we have done

We have made changes to the timetable where possible to accommodate public, school and religious
holidays.

We understand the challenge of managing exams when they are timetabled during public, school or
religious holidays. We receive this feedback every year, so when we create the timetable, we make
every effort to avoid major worldwide holidays. However, we cannot completely avoid them as there are
many different holidays across the world and we schedule many different exams.

If we have to schedule an exam during a public, school or religious holiday, we try to choose exams that
are likely to affect as few candidates as possible. We use data from previous exam series to help make
these decisions.

June 2023 provisional timetable – feedback received from centres 2