UCLES

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This article is about an assessment agency. For the UCL Échelle Spectrograph, see Anglo-Australian Telescope.

University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) is a non-teaching department of the University of Cambridge and is a not-for-profit organisation. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of UCLES.

Cambridge Assessment is Europe's largest assessment agency and is responsible for setting and marking a large number of examinations, both in the United Kingdom and internationally. Cambridge Assessment is not responsible for internal examinations at the University of Cambridge.

It is one of the largest international assessment agencies recognised by governments around the world. It has units that focus on research (including the Cambridge Psychometrics Centre until its move to the University of Cambridge in April 2008), expanding e-assessment capabilities and delivering university admissions tests as well as three examining bodies:

  • OCR is one of the three UK-wide awarding bodies. OCR offers GCSEs, A levels and a wide range of vocational qualifications to learners of all ages through 13,000 schools, colleges and other institutions;
  • Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) (formerly known as University of Cambridge International Examinations) that provides assessment services to many governments and supplies International GCSEs, A and AS levels and business qualifications worldwide;
  • Cambridge English Language Assessment (formerly known as University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations) operates in 135 countries worldwide. Each year over 4 million people take a Cambridge English qualification;

It provides a programme of development in assessment and related issues. Every year over 30,000 people[citation needed] work with Cambridge Assessment by either attending conferences or by taking part in topical debates from their desk top.

UCLES was established in 1858 to administer examinations for persons who were not members of the University of Cambridge and to inspect schools, with the aim of raising standards in education.[citation needed] The Syndicate began examining overseas in 1863 and this aspect of its work grew quickly. In 1888, the Syndicate was empowered to hold examinations for commercial certificates. The Certificate of Proficiency in English, the Syndicate's first examination in the field of English as a foreign language, was introduced in 1913.

In 1873, the universities of Oxford and Cambridge created the Oxford and Cambridge Schools Examination Board which became part of UCLES in 1995. The UCLES Group absorbed several other examination boards, including the Southern Universities Joint Board in 1987, the Midland Examining Group and the RSA Examinations and Assessment Foundation, both in 1998.

Cambridge Assessment celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2008.

On 9 November 2012, Cambridge Assessment Singapore was officially launched. Cambridge Assessment has been a trusted education partner in Asia Pacific for over 130 years—as a not-for-profit organisation and part of the University of Cambridge. Cambridge Assessment works with over 2000 schools in Asia Pacific who offer its international qualifications. Cambridge Assessment Singapore also works in partnership with governments in the region on assessment, and carry out leading-edge and operational research on assessment in education.

The Asia Pacific hub for Cambridge Assessment was set up as a charitable educational organisation. Together with Cambridge International Examinations, Cambridge Assessment Singapore will contribute to the development of effective teaching and successful learning in the Asia Pacific region by providing high-quality educational experiences and services for schools, policy-makers and assessment professionals.

The Asia Pacific office strategically located in Singapore, represents the perfect base for Cambridge to be part of the vibrant growth of countries in the region and to share its own experience.

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