Information for parents
What is Cambridge Insight?
Insight is a range of digital, adaptive, baseline and attributes assessments from Cambridge.
Cambridge Insight assessments measure cognitive and non-cognitive abilities, as well as attributes that our research has demonstrated contribute to educational success. They are not designed to test curriculum knowledge, but rather to get a snapshot of your child’s current skills, abilities and attributes in areas such as literacy, numeracy, cognitive abilities, attitudes and wellbeing.
Cognitive abilities help us to make sense out of complexity, something called ‘educative ability’. Skills such as memory, attention, perception, analysing and problem-solving naturally develop over time but aren’t necessarily taught or included in any curriculum. Yet they are fundamental factors that contribute to educational success.
From baseline assessments to wellbeing checks, we help teachers and schools to better understand your child as a whole. Armed with this information, your child’s teachers are better equipped to unlock their full potential.
We use the highest quality data to provide detailed reports and accurate predictions that help teachers understand the unique needs of every student and cohort, so schools can make the informed decisions that best prepare their students for their future.
Insight is at the very heart of what our digital assessments provide.
Insight assessments can be baseline assessments (used at the start of a course of study to help a teacher get a clear picture of where a student is in their learning) or diagnostic assessments (used to identify specific strengths and areas for improvement to help teachers target their teaching and support).
We also provide admissions assessments to schools to aid them in student selection. Find information about our admissions assessment: Cambridge Select Insight.
Our attributes assessments provide insight into non-academic areas including wellbeing and attitudes to learning. Our research has demonstrated that these are important factors contributing to academic achievement.
Trusted, powerful insight.
Countries we work in
Assessments used to standardise
Years with our school partners
About the assessments
Insight assessments from Cambridge are designed to be taken without any need for preparation or study in advance.
Our assessments are computer-based. All are administered by your child’s school, and your child will be given instructions and support in school to access the test.
Our assessments for younger children are done with the support of a teacher or classroom assistant. Older children take the assessments independently.
Most of our assessments are adaptive – they use a child’s responses to decide whether to progress to more challenging questions, or to return to easier ones. Essentially, the assessment automatically adapts to a child’s ability.
Each assessment measures a range of verbal, non-verbal and mathematical skills. Your child’s school then receives reports showing how they scored overall, and in each section. Some of our assessments for older children also offer reports showing the likelihood of achieving different grades in exams including GCSE, IGCSE, A-Level and the IB Diploma.
Your child’s school will choose if and how they share the results with you and your child. Many schools use the Insight assessment reports to support discussions with students about goal setting, areas of support needed, and learning plans to help them achieve their full potential.
Find out more about the different assessments:
Our assessments are grounded in over 40 years of research, and proven to measure skills that are excellent indicators of future academic achievement."
- Kate Bailey, Director of Digital Testing, Data & Reporting
Frequently asked questions
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Can I purchase an assessment so that my child can practice before the assessment at school?
No – Insight assessments can only be purchased by schools and Local Education Authorities.
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Can I help my child prepare for an Insight assessment?
We strongly advise against practising before an Insight assessment, and we do not provide nor recommend any practice materials.
Each section of the assessment will include introductory information with examples that allow students to familiarise with the style and format of questions. The introductory examples are not timed, and repeats are permitted. No extra work is required.
Insight assessments are designed to indicate and identify gaps in understanding and/or knowledge to better guide teaching and resources. The information teachers gain from Insight assessments will help them to work with your child to address and overcome any difficulties in learning, challenge them further in areas they excel in, and ultimately help them to reach their full potential.
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How do schools use Insight assessments?
Read our collection of case studies to find out how schools around the world use Cambridge Insight assessments to support their students.
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What are adaptive assessments and why does Insight use them?
Adaptive testing uses a child’s responses to decide whether to progress to more challenging questions, or to return to easier ones. Essentially, the assessment automatically adapts to a child’s ability.
Insight uses adaptive testing to generate a more detailed and personalised student profile. We also believe it is a more motivating and enjoyable experience for students, as they are tested at their own ability level.
Watch our video below and read our blog to find out more about adaptive testing.
Please note Insight Entrance Assessments are not adaptive.
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Will my child have difficulties in completing the assessment if English is not their first language?
The Insight assessments evaluate a group of foundation skills and abilities needed to access any curriculum. This said, the level of English used in the assessment is appropriate to the age of the cohort being assessed.
For EAL students, Insight assessments can highlight areas of strength/weakness within English, allowing teachers to help students improve their knowledge of the language, and better access the curriculum.
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Can schools share assessment reports with parents?
Your child’s school may choose to share some of the reports in discussions with you or your child, but this varies between schools.
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What will happen if my child gets a low score?
Insight assessments do not affect curriculum grades. They are designed to indicate strengths and weaknesses in key skills areas that research shows have an impact on their later academic results.
The aim of Insight assessments is to help teachers adapt and personalise their teaching and resources, to support students of all abilities.
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Does Insight provide a certificate for completing the assessments?
Yes – although Insight is not an awarding institution, we provide a Certificate of Completion to acknowledge your child's participation in the assessment.
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I’ve got further questions about my child’s Insight assessment – who should I speak to?
Please contact your child’s school directly for any queries you have about the tests or results.