The University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge formed the ‘Local Examinations Syndicate’ over 160 years ago. Its aim was to raise standards in education by administering exams for people who were not members of the University and inspecting schools.

For the first time in 1858, 370 school candidates in 7 English cities sat exams set by the University of Cambridge. Today this has risen to more than 8 million candidates a year in 160 countries. The Syndicate began examining internationally in 1864, and this aspect of its work grew quickly.

In 1998 the Syndicate created a new structure, leading to the establishment of three exam boards:

• Cambridge Assessment International Education – the world’s largest provider of international education programs and qualifications for 5 to 19.
• Cambridge Assessment English – provider of the world’s leading range of certificates for learners of English.
• OCR – a leading UK exam board, dedicated to recognizing achievement in learners of all ages

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