FAQs

> How do I know if I am eligible to take a Cambridge ESOL examination?
> How do I enrol for a Cambridge ESOL exam?
> When will I receive the exact dates?
> Where can I study for your examinations in the UK?
> Do I need to follow a course to take the exam?
> What is a late entry fee? 
> What is a CoE?
> How much does an examination cost?
> Can I enrol for more than one examination in one session?
> Where can I find preparation material for my exam?
> I paid my school for my exam but I have not received any details. What can I do?
> If my name is not spelled correctly on my CoE, what should I do?
> Can I use a dictionary or spell checker during the examination?
> Can I use correction fluid in the exam?
> Can I take a Cambridge ESOL exam if I have any specific physical or learning difficulty?
> What happens if I am ill and unable to take the examination?
> If I cannot take the examination, will I get a refund?
> Is it possible to transfer the examination fee to a later session or to a different exam?
> Am I allowed to bring my mobile phone or pager into the examination?
> Can I take my bag and coat into the examination?
> Are there any breaks during the examination?
> Can I eat, drink (something other than still water) or smoke during the examination or during the short breaks?
> My passport is with the Home Office and I do not have any other type of identification. What can I do?
> How can I check my result?
> I did not attend a part of the exam. Can I still pass?
> I received my result but believe there is a mistake with my grade. Can Cambridge re-check it?
> I passed a Cambridge exam but I have not yet received my certificate. What can I do?
> Although enough time has passed, I have still not received my certificate. What can I do?
> There is a spelling mistake in my certificate. What can I do?

  

How do I know if I am eligible to take a Cambridge ESOL examination?

Although the Cambridge ESOL exams are geared towards non-native speakers of English, they can be taken by anybody who wishes to.
 

How do I enrol for a Cambridge ESOL exam?

Please click here to visit our “How to apply” page.
 

When will I receive the exact dates?

We will e-mail you your Confirmation of Entry (CoE) containing the exact dates, times and venues and important information for candidates at least 10 days before the first part of the exam. If you have not received your CoE by that time, please contact us immediately. Also, please make sure you read your CoE and the attached information carefully.
 

Where can I study for your examinations in the UK?

If you are thinking of studying English in the UK, you can find out details of 330 accredited schools and colleges by looking at the English UK website, at www.englishuk.com. All of these centres have been inspected and approved by the British Council.
 

Do I need to follow a course to take the exam?

No. Although most candidates do follow a course before taking the exam, it is not a requirement.
 

What is a late entry fee?

If you enrol after the closing entry date (provided we have places available), a late entry fee of £18 or a double late entry fee of £36 may apply.
 

What is a CoE?

CoE means Confirmation of Entry. It is a document that you have to bring to each part of the exam. The document contains the details on each part of your exam (dates, times and venues) and the secret information to access your results.
 

How much does an examination cost?

Please click here to visit our “Exam dates and fees” page:

General English Exams
Professional English Exams
 

Can I enrol for more than one examination in one session?

Yes, but you must complete a separate entry form for each examination and pay the appropriate fee. Also, please ensure that the examinations do not take place at the same time.
 

Where can I find preparation material for my exam?

If you wish to take an exam without attending a preparation course, please contact us so that we can send you a list of book titles. Alternatively, you can go to a book shop and look for preparation books and past papers in the EFL (English as a Foreign Language) section.
 

I paid my school for my exam but I have not received any details. What can I do?

Please contact the ESOL / EFL Exams Manager at your school or your teacher directly.
 

If my name is not spelled correctly on my CoE, what should I do?

You must tell the Supervisor when you arrive at your first examination. Your name will then be changed and it will be printed correctly on your certificate.
 

Can I use a dictionary or spell checker during the examination?

No.
 

Can I use correction fluid in the exam?

You may only use correction fluid for the Writing paper (not in all exams, please contact us).
 

Can I take a Cambridge ESOL exam if I have any specific physical or learning difficulty?

Yes, please contact us at least 2 weeks before the closing entry date for more details.
 

What happens if I am ill and unable to take the examination?

If you miss the examination because of illness or withdraw on medical grounds, London Crest Open Centre will make a full refund of the University Fee (approximately half of the total fee). The Local Fee is used to cover preparation costs. A written request for refund must be received by our office within seven days after the exam. 
You must send:
- Your personal details (full name, address, e-mail address, candidate number)
- A cover letter
- A medical statement in English giving the medical reasons why you were unable to sit the examination
- Details of when, how and how much you paid for the exam

(Cambridge might also offer a partial refund in special circumstances other than medical reasons. Please contact us.)
 

If I cannot take the examination, will I get a refund?

No, except as in the case of illness and if you can provide official documentation such as a doctor's certificate. See the note above.
 

Is it possible to transfer the examination fee to a later session or to a different exam?

No, as preparations will have been made for the candidate to sit a specific exam at a specific session.
 

Am I allowed to bring my mobile phone or pager into the examination?

You will be able to bring your mobile phone/pager but you must leave it in the designated area within the examination room. Your mobile phone needs to be switched off completely (not on silent mode) and all alarms need to be turned off. If your mobile phone/pager goes off during the exam, you will be disqualified.
 

Can I take my bag and coat into the examination?

You will be asked by the Supervisor to leave them in the designated area, but they will not be allowed to be left next to you in the examination hall. The only things you can keep with you during the examination are: pens, pencils, erasers, CoE, ID/passport, medicine and still water in a closed transparent bottle.
 

Are there any breaks during the examination?

After each paper, there will be a short comfort break. You will not be able to access your coat or bag in this break. If your examination lasts for the whole day, there will be a lunch break where you will be able to eat and leave the examination hall.
 

Can I eat, drink (something other than still water) or smoke during the examination or during the short breaks?

No, sorry!

My passport is at the home office and I do not have any other type of identification. What can I do?

Please bring a copy of your passport along with the letter from the home office confirming that your passport is with them.

 

How can I check my result?

You can download your statement of results on the Cambridge website at https://cambridgeesol-results.org/Members/Login.aspx. Your ID and secret number are on your Confirmation of Entry (CoE).
Remember, you have to register first!

 

I did not attend a part of the exam. Can I still pass?

In order to pass a Cambridge ESOL examination, you must attend each part (paper) of the exam. If you miss a paper, you will not receive any results and therefore not be able to pass the exam.

 

I reveiced my result but believe there is a mistake with my grade. Can Cambridge re-check it? 

Cambridge ESOL has a system in place to check the accuracy of results should there be a query. Such checks rarely reveal an inaccuracy in the original result and do not provide feedback on the performance of candidates in particular papers.

Here is what we can do for you:
Stage 1 (full clerical re-check of papers): Cambridge will count all your points again. The cost of stage 1 is £20.50. The outcome will be advised within 5-10 working days.
Stage 2 (remark of papers): After there has been no change in results after stage 1, it is possible to request Cambridge to remark all exam papers (except speaking). The cost of stage 2 is £77. The outcome will be advised within approximately 4 weeks.

Enquiries for all exams must be received within 3 weeks of the result release date (for certain exams the request might me made later, please contact us for more information). All candidates wishing to request stage 2 must have completed and received their results for stage 1.

If you would like your results to be re-checked, please contact us by e-mail.

 

I passed a Cambridge exam but I have not yet received my certificate. What can I do?

As soon as we receive your certificate from Cambridge (approximately 4-6 weeks after the results have been published) we will forward it to the address you gave us when you came for your speaking exam. This can either be an address within the UK or abroad. If you have moved recently and would like to change your address, please send us an e-mail.
 

Although enough time has passed, I have still not received my certificate. What can I do?

Please send us an e-mail explaining the problem and stating your full name, candidate number, the exam you took and the month you took the exam in. We will then be able to help you.
 

There is a spelling mistake in my certificate. What can I do?

Please send us your certificate immediately, along with a cover letter which should include your correct name, your full address and your e-mail address. We will then send it to Cambridge who will replace it for you free of charge.