Examining the World: A History of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate

Examinations are deeply embedded in our culture and govern the career prospects of millions of people around the world. The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, now Cambridge Assessment, was at the forefront of introducing public examinations for schools with the aim of raising standards in education. Examining the World explains how the organisation, established in 1858, has evolved into a world authority on assessment with three areas of operation: international examinations, home examinations, and English examinations for Speakers of Other Languages. This is the first full-length history of the organisation, describing the development of its examinations from the early days to their present form, by authors associated with Cambridge Assessment and other parts of the University. It sets the history of Cambridge examinations in their context as a department of the University and the immense changes which have taken place in examining in the UK and the wider world.