What is the reasoning for doing in-person rather than video? Are they worried about real-time coaching?
I am guessing, but I don't think they even know they are doing.
Cambridge believes that the testing is more accurate and academic integrity than teachers predicting grades. They also claimed despite the exams being cancelled in the UK, France and German are in school and they are going to do the tests in person so everyone should too. Plus they can't predict the future when told schools aren't allowed to meet face to face(it is actually a crime now). Their advice: move the exams to Oct/Nov.
This isn't the first time Cambridge has nearly screwed over students. Last year they asked teachers to give their predicted grades and be ready to provide evidence on why you think they should have that grade. When they released the scores, instead of using the predicted grades, they use historical grades instead. If you scroll up where I mention about the webinar last August, that was when they tried to justify and explain why they did it. A week later they said they were going to use the predicted scores.
Normally I would agree, but we aren't exactly in normal times. I understand some teachers might inflate the grades, but that is what the evidence is for. I would argue there is probably cheating that goes on during the in person test. My main issue is Cambridge doesn't have a back up plan. They think the covid situation is the same around the world and we should go back to the way things were. I am fairly sure everyone wants this, but common sense says, we can't and we don't know when we can. I heard one person say the reasons why we are in this mess with Cambridge is because the people running it are old.