Schools can take Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint three times a year: March (from 2026), May or October. Any Cambridge school can enter any series, and more than one in a year. The March 2027 series runs from 22 February to 2 March 2027, with final entries due 27 November 2026. Global Perspectives is not offered in March.
When are the Cambridge Checkpoint test series?
Three series, shared by Primary and Lower Secondary Checkpoint:
| Series | Test dates | Final entries | Feedback |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | 11–21 May 2026 | 21 February 2026 | 23 July 2026 |
| October 2026 | 13–21 October 2026 | 16 August 2026 | 17 December 2026 |
| March 2027 | 22 February–2 March 2027 | 27 November 2026 (late entries 14 December) | 6 May 2027 |
| May and October 2027 | Not yet published | — | — |
Sources: Cambridge key dates for May 2026, October 2026 and March 2027.
Cambridge is clear that “all Cambridge schools are allowed to make entries in any of the Checkpoint test series – March, May and October”, and “you can also choose to enter candidates in more than one test series in a year” (Cambridge).
Why did Cambridge add a March series?
To fit schools whose year ends earlier. Cambridge says “the introduction of a new test series in early March will benefit schools where the academic year ends in March/April”. Moving May later “will benefit schools where the academic year ends in May/June and will also allow for more teaching time”. The 2025 announcement cited feedback from schools “particularly in Southeast Asia & Pacific, South Asia and MENA” (PR Newswire, 18 February 2025).
The first March series in 2026 drew “almost 16,000 learners in 44 countries” and “over 43,000 test entries”. It was “most popular with schools in South Asia and Southeast Asia & Pacific, with India and Indonesia making the most entries” (Cambridge, 7 May 2026).
Which subjects run in the March series?
English 0861, English as a Second Language 0876, Mathematics 0862 and Science 0893 at Lower Secondary. Cambridge states that “Cambridge Primary (0838) and Lower Secondary (1129) Global Perspectives are not available in the March series”. Schools that enter Global Perspectives must use May or October.
What are the rules for the new fixed test days?
Tests run on days Cambridge sets, not days the school chooses. Cambridge explains that “by introducing timetabled test dates specified by us, we are increasing test security”. Three rules follow:
- “If a candidate misses a test, or a whole day of tests, they cannot take the test(s) on a different day.”
- “Retake entries and carry-forward entries are not available.”
- “Special consideration is not available for Cambridge Checkpoint tests.”
Schools can run tests “at any time on the timetabled test day”. Standards are the same in every series: “the standard of performance that a candidate needs to demonstrate to achieve a given Cambridge Checkpoint score or performance band will be the same”.
Should your school switch to the March series?
Match the series to when you want to act on the results. Three questions decide it:
- When does your academic year end? March suits schools finishing in March or April; May suits those finishing in May or June. October gives results before the end of the calendar year.
- When do you set IGCSE groups? Checkpoint results help with target setting and streaming. Cambridge research links a Good band to IGCSE C/4 on average, so choose a series whose feedback arrives before those decisions. See using Checkpoint results to predict IGCSE outcomes.
- Is Stage 9 teaching finished in time? Cambridge noted that most schools entering March 2026 would “start teaching from March/April 2025”. An earlier series means less teaching time before the test.
A school that sits Global Perspectives, or needs the full year of Stage 9 teaching, is usually better staying in May or October.
How schools do this with AI Buddy
AI Buddy helps Lower Secondary teams prepare for Checkpoint with topic-level practice, marked instantly, in mathematics, English and science. The cohort data shows where Stage 9 gaps remain before the test window. After results, the same data carries forward into IGCSE, so heads of department can see whether a Checkpoint-based target is on track from the start of Year 10.
Frequently asked questions
When can schools take Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint tests?
In March (from 2026), May or October. Any Cambridge school can enter any series, and more than one series a year.
What are the Cambridge Checkpoint 2027 dates?
The March 2027 series runs from 22 February to 2 March 2027, with final entries due 27 November 2026 and feedback on 6 May 2027. May and October 2027 dates have not yet been published.
Is Global Perspectives available in the March Checkpoint series?
No. Primary and Lower Secondary Global Perspectives are available only in the May and October series.
Can students retake a Checkpoint test they miss?
No. Tests run on fixed days, a missed test cannot be taken on another day, and retake entries are not available.
For the Years 7–11 pathway, see From Cambridge Lower Secondary to IGCSE.
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Sources
- Cambridge International, Checkpoint changes 2026
- Cambridge International, key dates for May 2026, October 2026 and March 2027
- Cambridge International, Results of new Cambridge Checkpoint series released (7 May 2026)
- PR Newswire, Cambridge expands Checkpoint test series due to increased demand (18 February 2025)
- Cambridge International, Primary and Lower Secondary Checkpoint FAQs (November 2025)