UCLES
Encyclopedia
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
:
It provides a programme of development in assessment and related issues. Every year over 30,000 people 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. 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 board
s, 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.
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
and is a not-for-profit organisation
Nonprofit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of UCLES.
Cambridge Assessment is Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
's largest assessment agency and is responsible for setting and marking a large number of examinations, both in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
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
Examination board
An examination board is an organisation that sets examinations and is responsible for marking them and distributing results. Examination boards have the power to award qualifications, such as SAT scores, to students...
:
- OCROCR (examination board)OCR is an examination board that sets examinations and awards qualifications . It is one of England, Wales and Northern Ireland's five main examination boards....
, is one of the three UK-wide awarding bodies. OCR offers GCSEsGeneral Certificate of Secondary EducationThe General Certificate of Secondary Education is an academic qualification awarded in a specified subject, generally taken in a number of subjects by students aged 14–16 in secondary education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is equivalent to a Level 2 and Level 1 in Key Skills...
, A levelsGCE Advanced LevelThe Advanced Level General Certificate of Education, commonly referred to as an A-level, is a qualification offered by education institutions in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Cameroon, and the Cayman Islands...
and a wide range of vocational qualifications to learners of all ages through 13,000 schools, colleges and other institutions; - University of Cambridge International Examinations (Cambridge International ExaminationsCambridge International ExaminationsUniversity of Cambridge International Examinations is a provider of international qualifications for students between the ages of 14 and 19, offering examinations and qualifications in more than 150 countries. It is an Examination Board under Cambridge Assessment, founded in 1858 as a department...
/CIE) that provides assessment services to many governments and supplies International GCSEs, A and AS levels and business qualifications worldwide; - University of Cambridge English for Speakers of Other Languages (University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations) operates in 135 countries worldwide. Each year over 1.75 million people take a Cambridge ESOL qualification;
It provides a programme of development in assessment and related issues. Every year over 30,000 people work with Cambridge Assessment by either attending conferences or by taking part in topical debates from their desk top
Desktop computer
A desktop computer is a personal computer in a form intended for regular use at a single location, as opposed to a mobile laptop or portable computer. Early desktop computers are designed to lay flat on the desk, while modern towers stand upright...
.
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. 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
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
and Cambridge created the Oxford and Cambridge Schools Examination Board
OCR (examination board)
OCR is an examination board that sets examinations and awards qualifications . It is one of England, Wales and Northern Ireland's five main examination boards....
which became part of UCLES in 1995. The UCLES Group absorbed several other examination board
Examination board
An examination board is an organisation that sets examinations and is responsible for marking them and distributing results. Examination boards have the power to award qualifications, such as SAT scores, to students...
s, including the Southern Universities Joint Board
Examination boards in the United Kingdom
Examination boards in the United Kingdom are the examination boards responsible for setting and awarding secondary education level qualifications, such as GCSEs, Standard Grades, A Levels, Highers and vocational qualifications, to students in the United Kingdom.Broadly speaking, the UK has two...
in 1987, the Midland Examining Group and the RSA Examinations and Assessment Foundation, both in 1998.
Cambridge Assessment celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2008.