Cambridge English fined £875k for incorrect results due to marking errors
Ofqual has penalised the organisation over widespread test inaccuracies
Last updated 4 hours ago
Cambridge English has been fined £875,000 by Ofqual after issuing incorrect results to tens of thousands of candidates taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examinations globally.
Automated marking errors plagued the listening and reading components of tests taken between 2023 and 2025, impacting over 60,000 candidates.
The failures, detected only in September 2025 during a system update, resulted from a computer system auto-marking responses based on predefined answers set by experts.
Of 93,865 responses marked incorrectly, 62,794 learners received amended results for their listening and reading tests, and 21,717 had a revised overall score.
Though most initial overall results were increased, 1,115 candidates had inflated scores corrected downward, with adjustments on a score scale of 0 to 9.
Cambridge English's Secure English Language Test (SELT), essential for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), was affected, involving 1,108 candidates.
Amanda Swann, Ofqual’s Executive Director for Delivery, emphasised, “Tens of thousands of people took these tests with the expectation of accurate results which influence important decisions...Those who took these tests, as well as those who used them, were let down by systemic failures."
Ofqual noted Cambridge English's response, including accepting responsibility, investing over £6 million in corrective actions, compensation, and implementing preventative measures.
A dedicated 24/7 customer support hub has been set up to assist affected learners.