Job Discussion Forums

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

A lady I know here in Spain is taking FCE next month. Her company pays a local ��academia�� for the classes. The owner of the ��academia�� is also the local coordinator for Cambridge exams. My friend and her colleague have the idea that this gives them a big ��advantage�� when it comes to the marking of the exams. Is this possible? Even in corrupt Spain I have my doubts. Maybe I�m naive.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 5:10 pm Post subject:

As far as I know, local co-ordinators are not responsible for marking tests, apart from the oral component. I always thought they were shipped back to HQ...

Mikalina · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 6:56 pm Post subject:

I think the reading and speaking can also be marked locally as they are multi choice questions and just need a mark scheme. The writing, I believe, is sent back to England.

The advantage of using a school which also examines is that many of the teachers will be au fait with the exams and know exactly what to teach. This, of course, also applies to state examinations in England such as GCSEs/AS and A Levels.

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

You can even be part of the speaking examiner couple, but only act as the "interlocutor" rather than the "assessor" if you personally know the candidate. It happened to me once, but rather than being an advantage to the poor candidate, might even have worked against her, as I was a bit worried of being seen as "generous".

Here, all the tests except the speaking are graded back in the UK.