“History is not just the past but a map of the past, drawn from a particular point of view, to be useful to the modern traveller.”
In History lies treasures of the past and wealth of experiences from which we can draw and learn.
The names IGCSE, Cambridge Board Schools in Mumbai and other parts of India and CAIE have been recently introduced to most Indians; not more than three decades. To most of us who have passed from State Boards or ICSE or CBSE, IGCSE and CAIE are a novelty. But the history and roots of CAIE run deeper and they have a rich and enriching past.
The University of Cambridge is a public collegiate research university in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Founded in 1209, Cambridge is the world’s third oldest surviving university and one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world.
The University of Cambridge formed the ‘Local Examinations Syndicate’ over 160 years ago. Its aim was to raise standards in education by administering exams for people who were not members of the University and inspecting schools.
Cambridge Assessment was originally founded in 1858 by the University of Cambridge as the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES). It was started with the purpose of raising educational standards by conducting school inspections and administering local examinations for students who were not members of the University. The educational system has undergone numerous modifications throughout the years, but the principles that inspired the founding of that original organisation continue to guide them. In order to ensure that students can take advantage of their education, they work to enhance evaluation methods and procedures worldwide.
The university press of the University of Cambridge is called Cambridge University Press. It is the oldest university press in the world and received letters patent from King Henry VIII in 1534. It serves as the King’s Printer as well. An intellectual and educational publisher, Cambridge University Press is a division of the University of Cambridge.
Cambridge Assessment and Cambridge University Press are two founding organisations with a long-established history, having existed since their founding in December 1858, when the Cambridge University Press printed its first exam papers for the UCLES, to their current global collaboration supporting the future of teaching, learning, assessment, and research. 370 students from seven English locations took the first exams created by the University of Cambridge in 1858. This number has climbed to approximately 8 million candidates annually across 160 countries.
In 1998, the Syndicate created a new structure, leading to the establishment of three exam boards:
Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) – the world’s largest provider of international education programmes and qualifications for 5 to 19 year olds.
Cambridge Assessment English – provider of the world’s leading range of certificates for learners of English.
OCR – a leading UK exam board, dedicated to recognising achievement in learners of all ages.
The Syndicate adopted the brand name ‘Cambridge Assessment’ in 2005.
Cambridge Assessment and Cambridge University Press merged in August 2021 to become one company, Cambridge University Press & Assessment. The University of Cambridge’s top-notch teaching and research departments support the new organisation in providing globally recognised academic research, learning, and assessment. It operates as a non-profit organisation.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment is currently on a journey so that it can further combine its learning and assessment services,. To better serve their consumers worldwide, three new groups were formed in 2022: English language, UK, and International Education.
Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of the International Education group, along with Cambridge University Press Education and Cambridge Partnership for Education. This new group began operating in August 2022.
To ensure that our students receive the best education possible, MBIS which is one of the best A Levels School in Mumbai offers the Cambridge Assessment International Examination (CAIE), and IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education).
