Cambridge runs two Checkpoint test series in 2026: March (tests 2-12 March) and May (tests 11-21 May). Results are released to schools in May and July, not directly to parents. Your school then shares the result with you — timing varies by school. When you receive the report, skip the overall score and go straight to the strand-level subscores, which show exactly which topics to target in revision.
2026 Checkpoint test series and result dates
Cambridge releases Checkpoint results to schools on two different schedules depending on which series your child sits.
| Series | Test Dates | Feedback/Results to Schools | Full Reports Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | 2–12 March | Diagnostic feedback: 7 May | End-of-series reports: Mid-May |
| May 2026 | 11–21 May | Results and moderator reports: 23 July | End-of-series reports: Early August |
Important: these dates are for schools, not parents
Cambridge releases results to your child's school on the dates shown above via their internal portal (called Direct). Your school then decides when to share the result with parents. Some schools pass results on the same day; others may take 1-2 weeks. If you're waiting for your result, ask your school when they plan to release it — they will know the internal timeline.
Understanding your Checkpoint result
When the result arrives, the report includes four key pieces of information: an overall 0-50 score, a performance band (Unclassified, Basic, Aspiring, Good, High, or Outstanding), a set of strand-level subscores, and diagnostic feedback from the examiner. The strand-level subscores are the most useful — they tell you which topics to prioritise in revision. For a full breakdown of what each band means, what counts as a good score, and how to read the band system, see our guide to the Cambridge Checkpoint grading system.
Frequently asked questions
Cambridge Checkpoint 2026 has two test series: March and May. For the March 2026 series (tests run 2-12 March), diagnostic feedback is available to schools from 7 May 2026, and end-of-series reports from mid-May. For the May 2026 series (tests run 11-21 May), results and moderator reports are available to schools from 23 July 2026, with end-of-series reports from early August. However, these are the dates Cambridge releases results to schools — your own school may take a few days or weeks longer to share them with parents.
No. Cambridge releases results to your child's school via their internal portal called Direct. The school then decides when and how to pass the result to parents — some schools share results the same day, others take 1-2 weeks. The timing depends entirely on your school's admin process. Ask your school directly when to expect the result if you are waiting.
Yes. Both test series cover the same Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum and use the same 0-50 grading scale, but the papers and content are different. Not all schools run both series — most only use May 2026. The March series is typically used by schools that want to give students an earlier checkpoint, or schools on alternative calendars. Both results are equally valid and use the same performance band thresholds.
The Checkpoint results report includes: (1) an overall subject score on a 0-50 scale, (2) a performance band (Unclassified, Basic, Aspiring, Good, High, or Outstanding) based on that score, (3) strand-level subscores for each curriculum area (e.g., Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics in Maths), and (4) diagnostic feedback. For a full explanation of what each band means and how to read the strand subscores, see our guide to the Cambridge Checkpoint grading system.
First, ignore the overall score and look at the strand-level subscores instead — that is where the actionable information is. A child with a score of 28 overall might be strong in Geometry but weak in Algebra; different strand profiles need different revision plans. Ask your school for the Statement of Results (which includes strand breakdown) if you only receive the overall score. Then identify the lowest-scoring strand and use that to guide revision focus rather than trying to revise the entire subject at once.
Sources & further reading
- Cambridge Assessment International Education, "Key dates for March 2026 Checkpoint test series" (PDF).
- Cambridge Assessment International Education, "Key dates for May 2026 Checkpoint test series" (PDF).
- Cambridge Assessment International Education, Cambridge Lower Secondary homepage.
Fact-checked and last updated September 25, 2026 by Snehal Patel.
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