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Joining Cambridge CEM
What will happen when I join Cambridge CEM?
We are delighted that you are interested in using Cambridge CEM assessments.
When you join us, you will be part of a global community of schools using research-based assessments and learning solutions to unlock students’ potential.
This is the quick guide to joining Cambridge CEM from the subscription process to using your assessments for the first time.
What’s in this guide?
This guide will:
- Explain the subscription process and what you should expect at each stage.
- Describe what you will need at each point and the support available to you.
- Provide answers to frequently asked questions about joining Cambridge CEM.
Let's get started
The first step to joining Cambridge CEM is to submit your subscription form.
If you are ready to start using Cambridge CEM baseline assessments, go to www.cem.org/buynow and choose the form for either Primary (ASPECTS, BASE, Cambridge Primary Insight) or Secondary (MidYIS, Yellis, Alis, CEM IBE).
If you are looking for the Cambridge Wellbeing Check, you can sign up directly on www.cem.org/wellbeing.
You will need:
- Your school contact details (including your DfE/DENI/SEED and your Cambridge Centre number if applicable)
- The number of students for each assessment
- Your school finance details
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Why do you ask for a DfE/DENI/SEED number?
We ask for this so that we can give your school a unique identifier in our systems.
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What if I want to register for both Primary and Secondary assessments?
Please complete both forms for the baseline assessments you want to use.
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Can we change our student numbers after we register?
Yes! We understand that student numbers may be an estimate at the time of registering (especially if you’re early and organised for the next academic year!). If you would like to change your student numbers before you take the assessment please let our friendly team know by email cem@cambridge.org. Please note that if you are decreasing your numbers by more than 20% we will not be able to reduce cost.
What happens after you sign up?
Credit Check
Once we’ve got your subscription form, we’ll work on getting you set up. Our set up checks often include completing a credit check. This usually happens within 2 working days. There are times when it can take longer, but we’ll keep in touch with you if there is any delay.
Welcome Email
After we have completed all our checks, we’ll send you a welcome email with your login details. This will include instructions on how to use them – you may have different login details for different assessments – as well as other information you might find useful to get you started.
The welcome email and login details will go to the person you detailed as the co-ordinator on your subscription form.
Carry Out The Assessment
Our assessments are available year-round, so you can take the assessment at a time that suits you. We usually recommend doing baseline assessments at the beginning of your academic year so you can use the baseline as the foundation for teaching and learning.
Assessment windows
Assessment windows is the time when your assessments are available to use. We typically release assessments based on the UK academic year, but windows can vary by product. As a guide, our primary assessments generally run August-July and our Secondary assessments June-May.
However, we usually open registrations the February prior to the assessment window opening. This is so that you have plenty time to plan around your school budget and it takes one thing off that hectic start of year list!
Support
You will have access to our dedicated Help Centre with support guides from setting up your assessment to using your reports.
You can expect to receive ongoing communications and support from us, and we’re always happy to help you. Email us at cem@cambridge.org or call us +44 (0) 1223 790122.
Invoicing
We’ll send you an invoice towards the end of our first major testing period (usually in October).
If you join us after October for that assessment year (i.e. you plan to test by June/August depending on your assessment), you’ll usually receive your first invoice within 30 days of subscribing.
Our subscriptions roll over on 1 May. We’ll be in touch ahead of then to remind you that your renewal is coming up. You’ll need to let us know before 1 May if you want to cancel or make changes, otherwise we’ll use your previous numbers (with the ability to reduce by 20%).