Cambridge Secondary Insight (Baseline) – CEM

We have been listening to feedback from our secondary assessment users, and we have some exciting updates to share about the assessments, the reports and the admin user interface that will be released in the coming months, ready for September 2026. 

What’s new?

Assessment updates:

We’re excited to introduce a series of improvements that ensure our assessments are even more supportive and effective for learners around the world. None of these improvements will affect the comparability of the data with previous years.  

To better support international students and UK students with English as an additional language (EAL), all instructions are written using simple, accessible language at an A2 CEFR level. This ensures every student can focus on showing what they know without being held back by complex wording. 
Every new assessment item is carefully aligned to appropriate CEFR levels, with answer options crafted to match the language level of the question. This ensures learners with diverse language backgrounds can fully demonstrate their skills and knowledge. 
We’ve introduced new questions that reflect meaningful, real world contexts, such as sustainability and recycling, helping learners connect their understanding to the world around them. Our content has been thoughtfully reviewed to promote cultural inclusivity. 
We partnered with Cambridge Mathematics to align our Mathematics questions with the rigorous, research-based Cambridge Mathematics framework https://www.cambridgemaths.org/about-us/manifesto/framework/ ensuring our assessment meets the highest standards. While curriculum-agnostic in design, the assessments confidently cover all mathematics strands defined by the Cambridge Mathematics Curriculum. 
We’ve enhanced the onscreen assessment experience with usability and accessibility in mind. This includes updated fonts and carefully selected background colours that meet digital accessibility criteria. 
We continually expand our Vocabulary module to ensure our questions correspond to a wide range of language levels and abilities.

Admin updates:

We’ll be moving MidYIS, Yellis, Alis and IBE Insight onto our new assessment platform, which users of Cambridge Primary Insight will already be familiar with. The new platform will make managing our assessments faster and more intuitive. 

 You will have a single login across all primary and secondary Insight assessments, with the flexibility to set up multiple admin-level accounts per school. 
A new "qualification type" setting will allow you to filter your data administering and uploads.

We are also improving the experience of our current functionality: 

Admins will be able to easily add extra time for an assessment, and use new pause, resume, and retake features, giving you the control to support your secondary learners who need additional adjustments. 
You will be able to add or update students’ Average GCCE/IGCSE scores, following intuitive steps, individually or in bulk, to generate instant A Level predictions. 
You will be able to easily add or update Student subject choices, individually or in bulk. 
A new student profile page will enable you to have student details and preferences, such as subject choices and extra time adjustments, all together in one clear view.

Report updates:

You might have noticed that three of our most popular reports are being enhanced with scores interpretations, and explanations of statistical terms and metrics, enabling you to interpret data confidently:  Standardised scores, Individual student report, and Report for Parents and Carers. More reports will be updated throughout the year. 

FAQs:

What do I need to do?

Nothing for now. We are working in the background to migrate all customers to the new platform by September. You will need to create a Cambridge account if you don’t already have one, but we will be in touch with more details on how to do that soon. 

When will the migration take place?

The main platform change takes place in September. If you plan to test from September onwards, you will move directly to the new platform. We recognise that some schools test earlier in the year, so your route depends on when you plan to test.

If you start testing your students in June, July or August, you will remain on the current platform for the entire academic year.

If you usually test before September, you can either:

Go ahead with testing as planned in June, July or August. You will continue using the existing platform for the full academic year and move to the new platform for the assessment window starting in June 2027.
Rearrange your testing until September and move to the new Cambridge Secondary Insight platform from September 2026.

Will it cost more?

No, the assessment prices will be the same as the published prices for MidYIS, Yellis and Alis for 2026/27.  

Will MidYIS, Yellis and Alis still be curriculum agnostic? 

Yes. Although we have mapped and aligned some of our content to the Cambridge Pathway, any school using any international curriculum with English as a teaching language can use these assessments. 

Will I have access to historical data from MidYIS, Yellis and Alis?

Yes. You will have access to historical data and reports. 

Can I still deliver the assessments offline?

No. There will be no option to download and deliver the assessments offline.

Will I get training in the new assessments and platform?

Yes. We run continuous training and onboarding webinars. You can just sign up for one when you are ready to start the assessment process. There is also information available in our Help Centre.