Topic outline
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This resource supports the following syllabuses:
- Cambridge IGCSE Arabic 0544
- Cambridge IGCSE / IGCSE (9-1) English (as an Additional Language) 0472 / 0772
- Cambridge IGCSE / IGCSE (9-1) / O Level French 0520 / 7156 / 3015
- Cambridge IGCSE / IGCSE (9-1) German 0525 / 7159
- Cambridge IGCSE / IGCSE (9-1) Italian 0535 / 7164
- Cambridge IGCSE Malay 0546
- Cambridge IGCSE Mandarin Chinese 0547
- Cambridge IGCSE / IGCSE (9-1) Spanish 0530 / 7160
This resource supports the following syllabus for examination from 2024:
- Cambridge IGCSE / IGCSE (9-1) English as a Second Language 0510 / 0511 / 0991 /0993
This resource supports the following syllabuses for examination from 2025:
- Cambridge IGCSE Afrikaans as a Second Language 0548
- Cambridge IGCSE Isizulu as a Second Language 0531
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Video transcript
The aim of this video is to give you guidance for: the administration of a Cambridge listening examination; checking the equipment and audio material; conducting the listening examination; what to do in an emergency; and making access arrangements.
We will supply the audio materials for the listening examination, which you may keep after the exam.
The listening examination should be in a room that is suitable for no more than 30 candidates.
If you have equipment that is very powerful, you may accommodate more candidates without special permission, however you will not be able to apply for special consideration if candidates are unable to hear the recording.
Headphones can be used by candidates if the centre chooses to conduct the test in a language laboratory.
However, candidates are not permitted to control the recording.
A member of staff must start the recording, and follow any instructions provided. An invigilator should listen to the recording while it is played in case of any problems.
As soon as you receive the audio material, you must listen to a small section to check for sound quality.
You must not listen to the material in full or remove it from your centre.
Store material securely until the exam.
You must check the acoustics and sound quality of the audio material at the appropriate volume in the examination room. Do this one working day before the examination.
If you are using a language laboratory, check that all headphones are working correctly.
Headphones and a soundproof room are NOT obligatory.
You must display the Notice to Candidates and Candidate Warning poster both inside and outside the room for all examinations.
Ideally, a member of staff who speaks the language of the listening examination should be present. However, if this teacher prepared the candidates for the exam, they must not be an invigilator.
One invigilator is needed for every 30 candidates.
If there are too many candidates for one examination session, you may divide the candidates into two groups. Both groups must take the examination on the same day, with the minimum possible delay between the sessions.
You must make careful arrangements to keep the groups apart until all candidates have finished the examination, and must maintain security at all times. You must notify us before making any such arrangements.
Where you have large numbers of candidates – please refer to the Cambridge Handbook for further information.
The invigilator must not stop the audio once started. The invigilator should warn candidates that the audio will not be stopped.
If a candidate arrives late for a timetabled examination or leaves the room while the examination is in progress, please follow the relevant regulations outlined in the Cambridge Handbook.
The duration of the listening examination is approximately 50 minutes (40 minutes for Chinese), including 6 minutes at the end of the test to transfer their answers from the question paper onto the multiple-choice answer sheet. The 6 minutes’ transfer time is included in the recorded material.
From the March 2021 series, candidates will submit their answers on a multiple-choice answer sheet. We strongly recommend that candidates complete the question paper as they listen to the audio material and at the end of the test, they will have 6 minutes to transfer their answers onto the separate multiple-choice answer sheet.
You must give candidates the question paper and the multiple-choice answer sheet at the start of the test.
For candidates taking Cambridge IGCSE Arabic (0544/01), the answer options on the question paper are listed from right to left on the page. However, the answer options on the generic multiple-choice answer sheet are listed from left to right. Make sure your candidates are aware of this before the exam, and that they understand how to complete the multiple-choice answer sheet correctly.
You should not return the question papers to us. The multiple-choice answer sheets must be returned in the script packet envelope provided.
Contact us after the examination if your equipment failed at info@cambridgeinternational.org
The invigilator must not stop the audio once started, except in the case of an emergency. Noise from outside the examination room does not constitute an emergency.
If the examination is stopped because of an emergency, the invigilator should restart the audio at exactly the same place once they have dealt with the emergency.
The invigilator must include a report with the candidates’ papers. If any candidates were not able to hear any parts of the examination, the invigilator must include this in the report.
For candidates who have been granted extra time, you must administer the extra time by pausing the recording in accordance with the guidance. Extra time should be applied to the time allocated for the pauses, not added to the end of the examination.
Contact us to request our guidance document regarding extra time.
For information regarding hearing-impaired candidates and live speakers please contact us to request our guidance.
For any further information regarding listening examinations, please contact Cambridge International at info@cambridgeinternational.org