OET Test Regulations

Booklet 2013






















OET Test Regulations 2013


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1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 3
1.1. Definitions 3
1.2. Important note 3
2. GENERAL REGULATIONS AND CONDITIONS ......................................................... 4
3. APPLY FOR OET ......................................................................................................... 4
4. LEADING UP TO TEST DAY ....................................................................................... 4
4.1. Registration confirmation and timetable 4
4.2. Deferral to a future test date 5
4.3. Withdrawal 6
4.4. Changing venue location 7
5. TEST DAY .................................................................................................................... 7
5.1. Reporting at the venue on test day 7
5.2. ID discrepancy 8
5.3. ID discrepancy process 9
5.4. Rescheduled tests 9
5.5. Serious illness on test day 10
5.6. Failure to attend on test day 10
5.7. During the test 10
5.8. Malpractice Procedure 10
6. AFTER THE TEST ..................................................................................................... 12
6.1. Assessment materials and results 12
6.2. Statement of Results 12
7. COPYRIGHT .............................................................................................................. 13
8. DATA PROTECTION ................................................................................................. 13
9. CONTACT DETAILS .................................................................................................. 14
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1 Introduction

These are the Test Regulations relating to Occupational English Test (OET). These regulations, policies and
procedures are designed to ensure that all OET candidates are treated equitably and fairly, that the testing
environment is secure and that all staff conform to high-quality performance standards.
Anyone who requires additional information should go to the Help and Information section of
http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/

1.1 Definitions
OET: Occupational English Test
CBLA: Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment, Owner of OET
Venue: an authorised OET Test Venue. Venues are independently run institutions and CBLA is
not responsible for any actions or omissions by venues
Venue Manager: the main point of contact at a venue
Candidate: someone who has registered with CBLA via http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/
to take OET

1.2 Important note
CBLA accepts test applications on the basis that venues and candidates fully understand the Test
Regulations incorporating the Notice to Candidates (see last page of this document). Candidates will be
asked to confirm, as part of the test-day registration process, that they have read and understand these
documents and that their ability to complete the test or their results may be affected if they do not comply
with them.

Any questions before test day can be directed to CBLA at the Help and Information section at
http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/ On test day, questions should be directed to the Venue Manager or
invigilator.

This document contains policies and procedures relevant to candidates. It is important that venues also
familiarise themselves with this document so they can advise candidates accordingly.


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2 General regulations and conditions

2.1 OET may be taken by anyone, regardless of their age, gender, disability, race, nationality, religion,
sexual orientation or other attribute protected by Australian anti-discrimination laws. Although OET is
designed for native speakers of languages other than English, no language-related restrictions apply.
2.2 The following restrictions apply:
All sub-tests must be taken on the dates specified.
All four sub-tests are compulsory for first-time OET applicants.
Responsibility rests with candidates to check the English Language Skills Registration Standard
of the authority that regulates their profession or the minimum OET grade accepted by the
institution to which they are applying.

3 Applying for OET

3.1 Applying for OET is done via http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/ CBLA will advise the venue or
candidate on matters such as the test dates, test closing dates and test fees.
3.2 Candidate fees for OET are charged by CBLA for each candidate registered.
3.3 CBLA does not advise on textbooks or courses of study, or recommend teaching establishments.
Where a venue is permitted to use OET branding, this only indicates that they are certified to
administer OET. It does not indicate they are endorsed as a teaching establishment.
3.4 CBLA is committed to providing access to candidates with health-related and any other special needs.
Requests for special requirement should be made via the Help and Information section at:
http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org during the application process. We endeavour to
accommodate special requirements where reasonably possible.
3.5 Applications will not be accepted after the application closing date, which is published at
http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/

4 Leading up to test day

4.1 Registration confirmation and timetable
4.1.1 Candidates will receive an initial email confirmation of application from CBLA. This confirmation must
be checked very carefully, particularly for any incorrect spelling and ID details, and any corrections
should be drawn to the attention of CBLA immediately via http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/.
ID or any other corrections can only be made up to three weeks before the test date for which you
have applied.
4.1.2 Approximately two weeks prior to the test date, timetables will be emailed to candidates with details
of where and when the test will take place.
4.1.3 For security reasons, requests to deviate from the published timetable cannot be approved.


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4.2 Deferral to a future test date
If you are registered to sit OET but then find you are not able to attend the test for any reason, you can
defer to the next available test date more than 3 weeks before the test date. See Table 1 and the other
conditions below:
4.2.1 You must defer the whole application it is not possible to defer some sub-tests and leave the
application for others the same.
4.2.2 A deferral cannot be reversed.
4.2.3 Administration fees apply.

Table 1: Deferring your application to a future test date

Timeline Reason Will I incur a financial penalty? Deferral Procedure
More
than 3
weeks
before
test date
Any reason You may defer more than 3 weeks
before the test date for any
reason. An administration fee of
AUD $120 is payable.
Access your online candidate
profile and click the 'Defer' button
pay a non-refundable
administration fee by credit card
only (Visa or MasterCard)
be prepared to sit the next
available administration.

Within 3
weeks of
the test
date
Serious
medical
reason
You may defer within 3 weeks
before the test date if you have a
serious medical reason and can
provide a medical certificate within
5 days stating the medical reasons
why you had to withdraw from the
test and confirming why you were
unfit to sit the test and had to defer.
An administration fee of AUD $120
is payable.
Contact CBLA via the Help and
Information section at:
http://www.occupationalenglishtest
.org/
pay a non-refundable
administration fee by credit card
only (Visa or MasterCard)
be prepared to sit the next
available administration.
Any other
reason
You may not defer within 3 weeks
of the test date.


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4.3 Withdrawal
If you are registered to sit OET but then find you are not able to attend the test, you can withdraw and
request a refund more than 3 weeks before the test date. See Table 2 and other conditions below:
4.3.1 if you withdraw you may be eligible for a refund depending on the reason and time when you
withdraw, see Table 2 for details.
4.3.2 if the request is approved, the application will be removed and no Statement of Results will be
issued.

Table 2: Withdrawing your application

Timeline Reason Will I incur a financial penalty? Withdrawal procedure
More than
3 weeks
before test
date
Any
reason
You may withdraw more than 3
weeks before the test date for any
reason. An administration fee of
AUD $120 will be deducted from
your refund.
Access your online candidate
profile and click the 'Withdraw'
button
an administration fee will be
deducted from your refund.

Within 3
weeks of
the test
date
Serious
medical
reason
You may withdraw within 3 weeks
before the test date if you have a
serious medical reason and can
provide a medical certificate within
5 days stating the medical reasons
why you had to withdraw from the
test and confirming why you were
unfit to sit the test and had to defer.
An administration fee of AUD $120
will be deducted from your refund.
Contact CBLA via the Help and
Information section at:
http://www.occupationalenglishtest
.org/
an administration fee will be
deducted from your refund.

Any
other
reason
You may not withdraw within 3
weeks of the test date.






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4.4 Changing venue location

If you are registered to sit OET but then find you need to change your venue location, for example, if you
move location, you can change to another OET venue published on http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org
more than 3 weeks before the test date: See Table 3 and the other conditions below:
4.4.1 Administration fees apply.

Table 3: Changing venue location

Timeline Reason Will I incur a financial penalty? Change of venue procedure
More than 3
weeks
before test
date
Any reason You may request a change of
venue more than 3 weeks before
the test date. An administration fee
of AUD $120 is payable.

Contact CBLA via the Help and
Information section at:
http://www.occupationalenglishtes
t.org/

Within 3
weeks of the
test date
Any reason No venue change is allowed within
3 weeks of the test day.



5 Test Day

Note that some venues may be subject to video monitoring for security purposes.

CBLA regularly inspects its authorised venues to ensure that they are administering OET according to its
strict regulations. Most inspections are unannounced and can be carried out at any venue used to administer
OET.

5.1 Reporting at the venue on test day

All venues will require candidates to do each of the following:
You must present the ID document you used when you applied for OET. Your ID document
must be current and the ID document details must match exactly the details you provided in
your application for this test; otherwise, you will not be allowed to sit the test.
Your signature will be verified against your official photo identification.
You will be asked to sign the Candidate Register as part of the test-day registration process.
Your photo will also be taken. Venues will notify candidates about procedures accordingly.
You will be required to show your ID and/or sign a Candidate Identity Check form at various
points throughout the test administration.

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Table 4: Acceptable ID

Country ID Accepted
Australia In Australia:
you must provide your original current passport as proof of
identity: no other type of photo identification will be accepted.
Rest of World Outside Australia:
you must provide your current passport or if you hold an official
National Identify Card for the country in which you are sitting the
test you may use your current card as your ID document.
if you are testing outside your country of origin you must use your
passport as evidence of identity and provide evidence of recent
travel.

If you do not have an accepted ID document please contact CBLA via the Help and Information section at:
http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/

5.2 ID discrepancy
The venue staff checking candidates ID have the right to decide what will happen in the case of ID
problems. Please note the process and the general conditions below:
Prior admission to a test venue based on a given ID document does not guarantee that the
document will be considered acceptable.
All reported cases of questionable ID are subject to review and approval by CBLA after the test
administration. CBLA reserves the right to withhold and/or cancel grades in the event that the ID
requirements are not met.

You will not be admitted to the test if the last name on your primary ID does not match the name you used
when you registered.

Your test fee will not be refunded if you are not permitted to sit the test or if your grades are withheld or
cancelled because of invalid or unacceptable ID.

You may be admitted, but will need to provide supplemental ID within 5 days of the test if your primary ID
document is otherwise acceptable but shows minor discrepancies when compared to the OET Candidate
Register.

If you need to provide further ID after test day you will be given an ID/name discrepancy form by the venue.
The following ID documents are generally acceptable as supplemental ID:
Government-issued ID card
Student ID card
Working with Children Check card (within Australia)
Medicare card (within Australia).


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5.3 ID discrepancy process
The venue staff have the right to decide whether you will be admitted to the test.


5.4 Rescheduled tests
Circumstances beyond our control, such as adverse weather conditions, may result in a delayed start or
rescheduled test, or may result in grades being cancelled after you take the test.

Table 5: Rescheduled test

When What happens?
Test is rescheduled
before the test date
You can select a different test date with no administration fee charged.
Test is cancelled on
the day
You may select a different test date with no administration fee charged or
request a full refund.

If you have incurred travel costs to get to the venue, you may be eligible for
reimbursement of reasonable and documented travel expenses for
yourself within 30 days of your original test date, on condition that
appropriate receipts are presented.
Test happens on the
day but your grades
are cancelled
CBLA will determine whether you are eligible to select a different test date
with no administration fee charged or request a full refund.

If you have incurred travel costs to get to the venue, you may be eligible for
reimbursement of reasonable and documented travel expenses for
yourself within 30 days of your original test date, on condition that
appropriate receipts are presented.

ID not valid or the name
does not match exactly the
name on your registration
if you are not admitted to
the test your test fee will
not be refunded
If you are admitted to the
test you will be required to
provide supplemental ID
after the test date
send through supplemental
ID/disrepancy
documentation within 5
days after test date
If positive confirmation is
made, you will receive your
test scores, but these may
be delayed depending on
processing time
If positive confirmation is
not made, your test grades
may be withheld or
cancelled
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5.5 Serious illness on test day
If you could not attend the test day due to serious illness, and you provide a medical certificate within 5 days
of the test date, you will receive a refund minus an administrative fee of AUD $120. Please note this does
not apply to minor illnesses.

5.6 Failure to attend on test day
If you do not attend on the test day for any reason other than serious illness, you will lose your full fee.

5.7 During the test
5.7.1 If there is any problem that might affect the performance of a candidate during the test, this must be
reported to the venue on the day of the test. If appropriate, the Venue Manager will report it to CBLA.
A Special Consideration Form may be given to the candidate in such instances. Special
Consideration must be requested on test day.
5.7.2 If you would like to make a complaint regarding any aspect of the test day, please see the Venue
Manager on test day as there may be associated forms that need to be filled in on the day.
5.7.3 The rules and regulations on how candidates must behave during the test are given in the Notice to
Candidates. You sign up to this when you apply for OET; a copy is available on
http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/ and a copy will be displayed at the venue on test day.
Anyone not following the instructions contained in the Notice to Candidates may be stopped from
taking the test or may be subject to CBLA Malpractice Procedures, as detailed below. Malpractice
such as copying is likely to be noticed by an invigilator or supervisor, but may also be detected by
assessors during marking and by routine statistical checks applied to candidates answers. Any
candidate found to have been involved in malpractice will not receive a result. Candidates should
note that the inclusion of offensive comments, such as obscenities or racist remarks, in test
responses is unacceptable and may lead to results being disqualified.

5.8 Malpractice Procedure

The CBLA Malpractice Procedure deals with cases of suspected irregular conduct.

Irregular conduct is any action which gives or aims to give unfair advantage to a candidate or causes
disadvantage to other candidates. The Notice to Candidates, which is displayed outside all test rooms, warns
candidates of the consequences of such actions.

Examples of malpractice include:
obtaining unauthorised access to test material
using or trying to use unauthorised material, e.g. notes, study guides, mobile phones
copying/collusion or attempted copying/collusion
disruptive behaviour or not following the instructions of an invigilator, supervisor or Venue
Manager, e.g. not switching off mobile phones
impersonation (pretending to be someone else)
altering any results document, including a certificate.


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Cases of suspected malpractice may be reported:
by the venue, e.g. a report from an invigilator
by an invigilator, e.g. unusual incorrect answers shared by candidates who were sitting next to
each other
by statistical analysis of candidates' answer sheets
via an application for Special Consideration, e.g. where a mobile phone has disturbed a group of
candidates.

The Procedure usually has two stages. However, if all the information needed is not available at Stage Two,
a Stage Three meeting may also be required.

Stage One Malpractice Committee meeting

The Malpractice Committee looks at all available evidence in relation to the case (e.g. seating plans,
question papers and answer sheets). If the Committee feels that there is no case to answer, it recommends
that the candidate's results be released.

If the Committee decides that further investigation is needed, it recommends that the candidate's results be
withheld. This means that no final result or certificate is issued at this stage.

If results are withheld, the venue informs the candidate and asks them to give a statement. This statement is
returned to CBLA, together with any other information requested.

Stage Two Malpractice Committee meeting

The Malpractice Committee looks at the case again, taking into account the candidate statement and any
other additional information. After carefully considering all the evidence, the Committee recommends
whether the candidate's result should be released or permanently withheld.

If it is decided that a candidate's results can be released, the original results will be issued, unchanged. If it is
decided that the results should be permanently withheld, the candidate will not receive a result. However, the
candidate can enter for OET in the future.

This procedure is designed to ensure that all decisions are consistent, fair and based on the fullest
information available. We usually aim to complete the investigation of malpractice cases within eight weeks.


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6 After the test

OET sub-tests are marked by qualified assessors who are subject to a rigorous training-and-monitoring
programme. Statistical analysis of interlocutor performance is provided to CBLA and assessor feedback also
forms part of the monitoring.

6.1 Assessment materials and results
6.1.1 CBLA cannot be held responsible for the loss of test scripts or materials while in transit from the
venue and/or its venues to CBLA.
6.1.2 Results are issued online approximately 15 working days after the test. A grade ranging from AE is
issued for each sub-test. An overall grade for OET is not issued.
6.1.3 From time to time CBLA is unable to release results in the timeframe stated in 6.1.2. Possible
reasons for this might include that we are investigating a claim of malpractice, we are unable to
match the identity documents provided, a candidate has applied for special consideration and we are
considering that request or we are experiencing technical issues.
6.1.4 CBLA may withhold results in some instances relating to rescheduled tests, malpractice, ID
mismatch, special consideration requests and technical issues. See relevant sections in this
document for further information.
6.1.5 CBLA does not re-mark on request. The assessment process is rigorous, involving routine double
marking, triple marking as required and statistical analysis.
6.1.6 CBLA does not provide feedback on the performance of a candidate (e.g. Where did he or she go
wrong?). Information about a candidates performance in sub-tests is limited to what is contained in
the Statement of Results. No further information will be given to candidates or venues. Under no
circumstances will CBLA return work done by candidates.

6.2 Statement of Results
6.2.1 Statements of Results are mailed directly to candidates approximately 7 days after the results are
published online. At the time of application candidates can also order and pay for additional copies to
be sent to professional authorities (see http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org for applicable fees).
CBLA Statements of Results are important documents containing a number of security features in
order to make it difficult for them to be forged or copied.
6.2.2 Statement of Results can only be replaced if the original was issued less than two years before the
request date. The replacement Statement of Results will contain the original test date. See Table 6
for more information.
6.2.3 Statements of Results are issued in the name of the candidate at the time OET was taken.
Replacement Statements of Results will not be provided to accommodate a subsequent change of
name.


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Table 6: Additional Statement of Results

Reason Requirement Will I incur a financial
penalty?
Accidentally damaged,
lost or for any other
reason, and issued less
than two years ago
Apply for replacement Statement of Results
through
http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org
You will be charged a fee of
AUD $35.00.

7 Copyright

7.1 CBLA holds the copyright on all question papers and test material. Question papers and test material
may not be taken from the test room or reproduced in whole or in part without permission in writing
from CBLA.
7.2 CBLA does not allow candidates or venues to view candidates answers or any other work done as
part of OET.
7.3 CBLA will not return any work produced by candidates in the test to candidates or venues.

8 Data protection

8.1 CBLA is subject to various data-protection and privacy laws and authorised venues are required to
comply with applicable data-protection and privacy laws. As well as collecting personal information
from you directly, CBLA may collect personal information from OET venues and third parties such as
those to whom personal information may be disclosed under this Data Protection section and our
Privacy Policy.
8.2 The personal information of candidates may be collected, used and disclosed by CBLA in connection
with the administration of OET, quality control, identity verification, research and development, the
investigation and prevention of fraud, crime and misconduct (including cheating) and any acquisition
or potential acquisition of CBLA. Without personal information of candidates, we may not be able to do
these things, for example candidates will not be able to undertake OET. Unless candidates opt out by
contacting us, we may provide marketing communications to candidates on an ongoing basis by
telephone, electronic messages (like email) and other means. We may exchange the personal
information of candidates with Cambridge University Press, who may also use information for these
purposes.
8.3 Work produced in OET will be used in the assessment of performance in the test and written work,
video and audio recordings of candidates Speaking tests may also be used as part of CBLAs quality-
control, research and development activities, or extracts in anonymised form may be reproduced in
published test-preparation material. This work may include activities within Cambridge University, such
as with Cambridge University Press.
8.4 Information on how candidates performed in OET will be sent directly to the candidate and may be
sent to another third party authorised by the candidate for verification purposes related to professional
registration, immigration or work or study applications. In addition, certain third parties may view
information; details can be found at http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/ Work produced by
candidates in the test will not be returned to the candidate or to their venue.

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8.5 If a candidate is suspected of and investigated for malpractice, their personal details and details of the
investigation may be passed to a third party. For example, if they want to use their result for visa
purposes, CBLA may need to share this information with the relevant immigration authority or
registration board.
8.6 We may also share the personal information of candidates with our related companies, agents and
service providers, including those providing mailing house, legal, accounting, business and financial
consulting, archival, auditing, banking, marketing, advertising, delivery, customer contact, information
technology, research, utility, insurance, data processing, data analysis, investigation or security
services.
8.7 Some of the third parties to whom we may disclose the personal information of candidates may be
located in other countries. CBLA is required to protect your information under the Privacy Act in
relation to these disclosures. While these third parties outside Australia will often be subject to privacy
and confidentiality obligations, you acknowledge that they may not always comply with the particular
requirements of Australian privacy laws.
8.8 Our Privacy Policy contains further details about how we handle personal information and matters
such as access, correction-and-complaint procedures and website privacy. Our Privacy Policy is
accessible via www.occupationalenglishtest.org and on request.

9 Contact details

For help and information please contact:

The Help and Information section at http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/



























CBLA 2013 | 30/3Y08

Notice to Candidates
(part of OET Test Regulations 2013)

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This notice contains important rules and regulations for the day of the test. Invigilators have
the power to enforce these rules and regulations and have the right to ask you to leave the test
room immediately. Any instruction they give must be followed carefully and quickly.

RULES AND REGULATIONS
YOU MUST bring to the test the ID document you used
when you applied for this test. Your ID document must be
current and the details must match exactly the details you
provided otherwise you will not be allowed to sit the test.
In Australia: you must provide your current
passport as proof of identity.
Outside Australia: you must provide your current
passport or if you hold an official National Identify
Card for the country in which you are sitting the test,
you may use your current card as your ID document.
You MUST bring your candidate number. It is not
necessary to bring any printouts. Note a 'hall ticket' is not
provided.
YOU MUST only take into the test room what you need to
complete the test. You may bring:
pens, pencils, erasers, a pencil sharpener, a small
bottle of water in a clear plastic bottle and your
identification document.
YOU MUST disable any alarms on your mobile phone or
other electronic items, then switch them off before handing
them over with your personal belongings at registration.
YOU MUST stop writing immediately when told to do so.
YOU MUST make sure your name and candidate number
are on each book/sheet you have used. Wait until the
invigilator has collected your question paper and answer
sheet(s) before you leave the test room.
YOU MUST be on time if you are not in the test room at
the start of the test you will not be allowed to take the test.
DO NOT cheat, copy, give anything to, take anything from,
or talk to another candidate. You will be held responsible if
your test papers are exposed so that other candidates can
copy them.
DO NOT talk to or disturb other candidates during the test.
DO NOT bring into the test room any bags, notes, study
materials, dictionary, electronic items such as mobile
phones, digital sound recorders, MP3 players, cameras,
highlighters, mechanical pens, mechanical pencils, scrap
paper, correction fluid or tape.
DO NOT attempt to record or reproduce any part of the
test.
DO NOT smoke, eat or drink in the test room, apart from
drinking water in a plastic bottle.
DO NOT take any question papers, answer sheets or rough
paper out of the test room.
DO NOT make any noise near the test room.
DO NOT leave the test room for any reason without the
permission of the invigilator. You are not allowed to leave
the test room during the following times:
between the subtests
during the Listening sub-test
during Reading Part A
during the Speaking sub-tests, or
in the last 10 minutes of the Reading Part B and
Writing sub-tests.
At all other times you must be accompanied by an
invigilator and will not be admitted back into the test room
if you have not been accompanied. No additional time
allowance will be given if you choose to leave the room.

ADVICE AND INFORMATION
Make sure you are on time
You are responsible for knowing the date, time and place
of your test and arriving well before the scheduled start
time.
If you arrive late you will not be permitted to sit the test.

Advice and assistance during the test
Listen to the invigilator and follow the instructions.
If you are not sure about what to do, raise your hand to
attract attention. The invigilator will come to your
assistance
You must not ask for, and will not be given, any
explanation related to the questions.
If you do not feel well on the day of the test or think that
your work may be affected for any other reason, tell the
invigilator immediately.

Listening, Reading and Writing sub-tests
Read carefully and follow the instructions on the question
papers and answer sheets.
Tell the invigilator at once if:
your personal details on the answer sheet are wrong
you think you have been given the wrong question
paper
the question paper is incomplete or badly printed.

DISQUALIFICATION WARNING
If you cheat, use any unfair practice, break any of the rules or regulations, or ignore any
advice or information, you will be disqualified and no results will be issued. You may also be
subjected to further disciplinary action at CBLAs discretion.