Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint

What is Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint?

Cambridge Lower Secondary is typically for learners aged 11 to 14 years. Schools can shape the programme around how they want their students to learn, developing young learners who are confident, responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged. The programme provides a natural progression for children from primary education and prepares them for post-14 education programmes that lead to formal qualifications.

Cambridge Lower Secondary develops skills in ten subjects including English, Mathematics and Science. It is designed to help schools deliver a broad and balanced curriculum that suits their context, culture and ethos.

The curriculum sets clear learning objectives and focuses on developing knowledge and skills in all subjects, providing excellent foundations for the next stage of education. The programme is flexible, so schools can offer any combination of the subjects available:

  1. Cambridge Lower Secondary Art and Design (0073)
  2. Cambridge Lower Secondary Digital Literacy (0082)
  3. Cambridge Lower Secondary English (1111)
  4. Cambridge Lower Secondary English as a Second Language (1110)
  5. Cambridge Lower Secondary Global Perspectives (1129)
  6. Cambridge ICT Starters (8984)
  7. Cambridge Lower Secondary Mathematics (1112)
  8. Cambridge Lower Secondary Music (0078)
  9. Cambridge Lower Secondary Physical Education (0081)
  10. Cambridge Lower Secondary Science (1113)

Cambridge Lower Secondary assessment

Many schools use the Cambridge Lower Secondary testing structure to assess learner performance in English, Mathematics and Science and report progress to learners and parents. Cambridge Lower Secondary assessment uses internationally benchmarked tests, giving parents extra trust in the feedback they receive.

There are two assessment options:

  • Cambridge Lower Secondary Progression Tests (marked in school)
  • Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint (marked by Cambridge examiners).

Cambridge Lower Secondary Progression Tests

Cambridge Lower Secondary Progression Tests provide valid internal assessment of knowledge, skills and understanding in English as a first or second language, mathematics and science. The tests:

  • enable learning to be assessed each year
  • provide detailed information about the performance of each learner for stages 7, 8 and 9
  • enable teachers to give structured feedback to learners and parents
  • enable teachers to compare the strengths and weaknesses of individuals and groups
  • are marked by teachers at the school
  • come with clear guidance, standards and mark schemes
  • can be used any time in the year, as many times as needed
  • can be downloaded from the secure Cambridge Lower Secondary support site.

Schools can choose between paper-based and on-screen versions of the tests. The on-screen tests are available in English, mathematics and science for stages 7, 8 and 9 of the curriculum. Learn about on-screen tests.

We provide a reporting tool for Cambridge Lower Secondary Progression Tests. The tool is available on the Cambridge Lower Secondary support site. Teachers can upload learners’ test results and then analyse the results and create and print reports. Teachers can also compare a learner’s results against their class, school or other schools around the world and on a year-by-year basis.

Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint

Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint is a diagnostic testing service that helps learners by giving comprehensive feedback on their strengths and weaknesses in each subject area.

We offer Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint tests twice a year and they are usually taken at the end of Cambridge Lower Secondary. The tests are marked in Cambridge and each learner receives a statement of achievement and a diagnostic report. The Cambridge Global Perspectives assessment is marked by teachers and moderated in Cambridge.

Note: All of the information above are taken from CIE