Have you just started preparing students for Cambridge English Qualifications Digital? If you’re using the digital exam for the first time, it’s natural to feel a little uncertain about the format. However, there’s plenty of help available.
The digital exam offers the same trusted Cambridge English Qualification, just in a modern, flexible format with a few key changes. The digital exams test the same knowledge and skills as our paper-based exams, so you can continue to use your course materials.
There are simple steps you can take to get your candidates familiar and confident with the format. We’ll cover its main features, show you how to effectively prepare your learners and direct you to helpful Cambridge resources.
What are Cambridge English Qualifications Digital?
Cambridge English Qualifications Digital are digitised versions of the most popular Cambridge English exams. We launched the format in 2024 for a fast and flexible way to get a Cambridge English Qualification.
The following are available in digital format (please note that the Speaking test is conducted face-to-face):
- A2 Key for Schools Digital
- A2 Key Digital
- B1 Preliminary for Schools Digital
- B1 Preliminary Digital
- B2 First for Schools Digital
- B2 First Digital
- C1 Advanced Digital
- C2 Proficiency Digital
The key difference between the paper and digital exams is the experience and delivery. Instead of writing on a test paper, students type and select all their answers on a computer and have access to a range of extra features.
Otherwise, our digital exams are the same as their paper-based counterparts. They are still administered by an exam centre, and the timing, rules and access arrangements remain unchanged. The Speaking test continues to be face-to-face with an examiner at the exam centre.
Most importantly, the content, task types and specifications are also the same. You therefore don’t have to develop any new materials or change how you teach your course.
Exam delivery differences
There are a few other key differences with exam delivery to keep in mind:
- Flexible: Candidates have a wider choice of dates with availability up to 365 days a year. Just contact your local exam centre to confirm what’s available.
- Fast: Results are available within 5 to 10 working days so you and your students won’t have to wait long for results. This is ideal if they have a deadline, such as applying to university.
- Secure: The test content is randomised, meaning two students will have a different test day experience (and making it harder for anyone to copy from each other).
How to prepare your language learners
Here’s some ways to prepare your learners for the new format and experience.
Take a tour of the digital exam platform
Show your candidates these video walkthroughs on our support site to help get them familiar with the platform and feel more confident on exam day.
With these tutorials, students can learn about elements like how to adjust colours and font sizes to their preferences; as well as the item flagger to highlight a challenging question and easily come back to it.
We have also put together a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) resource for your candidates which answers the digital exam queries we hear most from students – you can share this with them directly and keep a copy with you too.
Combine activities with digital practice
Not everyone has unlimited access to devices at home. Some students may not be used to typing on a keyboard or staring at a screen for extended periods, especially younger learners.
You can introduce more opportunities to practice digital literacy skills with simple activities that combine English practice with device use. Here is an example of a writing task that practices typing on a time limit with other people in the room:
- Have your students login (for free) to Write and Improve and give them a task a level easier than their current level.
- In pairs or threes, students brainstorm ideas for how to complete the task and feedback as a group.
- Set a time limit. Count 3, 2, 1 and students start their timers together.
- Tell students to complete the writing task individually.
- When the time is up, demonstrate with your own example how you can get feedback, make changes and check again. Click on ‘Changes’ to show students where they can see their edits.
- Students check and change their own work. Ask them to choose two mistakes to write out, ideally in another document on screen, and share with their partner who has to try and correct the mistake.
For this and many more exercises to prepare for Cambridge English Qualifications Digital, download our Teaching Tips for Cambridge English Qualifications digital booklet.
Conduct mock tests in exam conditions
Mock tests are one of the best ways to create the exam day experience in your classroom. Cambridge provides you with a sample exam for each level (choose your level and find them under Sample Tests). You can also give your students the full digital exam day experience with Authentic Digital Practice Tests, which come with the added bonus of automarking and results in under five minutes.
You can learn the platform rules and carry out tasks or full tests in exam conditions to get students used to the new experience. Don’t forget that paper-based tests can be used for practice as well and supplemented with digital resources.
Check out this guide to running a digital mock test to support students’ familiarisation with the platform and test day experience.
Get plenty of practice with self-study
There are many flexible tools and apps your students can access themselves to stretch their digital muscles while practising English. Here are some of the Cambridge exam resources we recommend:
- Test and Train: This mobile-friendly app includes short tasks, tips and instant feedback features for learners to try at home.
- Learning English: Cambridge’s website offers short activities for general English practice. Students can filter by level, skill and task type.
- Write and Improve: Students can get writing exam practice and receive supportive feedback to help them improve without correcting them.
Ready to make the move to digital?
Your students are already digital natives, who grew up surrounded by technology. When we asked candidates what they thought of the digital exam experience in our candidate satisfaction survey, they told us they prefer them over paper, praising features such as being able to edit their writing easily and listening with headphones.
Cambridge English Qualifications Digital provide more test flexibility, security and support with no changes to test content, in a format your students will enjoy. Get in touch with your local exam centre to find out more.
Want more practical ideas?
Don’t miss ‘6 tips for preparing students for digital exams‘ to help your learners feel confident and ready for test day.