Cambridge Nationals admin overview

Whether you're new to OCR, or already offer our qualifications, you might find our admin overview useful. This outlines the main administration processes for Cambridge Nationals, and will guide you to the relevant, detailed information on our website.

Although vocational qualifications, Cambridge Nationals are administered like unitised GCSEs and AS/A Levels using the November, January and June series so you'll often see Cambridge Nationals referred to alongside general qualifications.

As most of these processes have to be completed by certain dates, we've produced a list of key dates to help with your planning and preparation.

1. Get approved

The first step to offering Cambridge Nationals is to become an approved centre. For this, you'll need to complete the general approval form.
If your centre is already approved for GCSEs or A Levels with OCR, you will be automatically approved for Cambridge Nationals.
2. Apply for access arrangements

Your Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) may need to apply for access arrangements.

These are made before an exam series to enable candidates with particular requirements to demonstrate attainment.

See the access arrangements page for more information.

3. Choose your moderation method

Choose from the OCR Repository, postal moderation or visiting moderation (not available for Child Development, Engineering, Enterprise and Marketing, ICT or Information Technologies).

Within each series you must enter all candidates taking a particular unit for the same moderation method.

Visiting moderation mark submission deadlines are much earlier than other methods.
4. Make entries

Please supply estimated entries so we can send you pre-release materials (Cambridge National in ICT R001 only).

You also need to make final unit and certification entries by the relevant deadlines. NB You don't need to register your candidates first.

The entry codes booklet contains all the codes and rules of combination. You’ll also need to check final entry and resit rules.

You can make your final entries via A2C using basedata, or via our secure extranet, Interchange.

5. Submit marks and prepare your sample

Submit marks to OCR via A2C or Interchange by the deadline for your chosen moderation method.

The OCR moderator selects a sample which then must be sent by post, uploaded to the OCR Repository or prepared for the visit (depending on the moderation method chosen).

Detailed information is provided in the internal assessment section.
6. Conduct the exams

Examination arrangements are governed by the JCQ Instructions for conducting examinations.

We'll send question papers and stationery on the basis of final entries – our despatch schedule shows what you will receive, and when.

When sending scripts to us for marking, make sure you follow our six simple steps to ensure they reach us safely.

You may also need information on special consideration or what to do if you suspect malpractice.

7. Receive results

We will issue results automatically on the published day (the same day as GCSEs). See our results section for what's available when.

The results are sent via A2C and are also available on Interchange, together with a number of results reports.

Grade boundaries are also published on our website at the same time as the results are issued to centres.
8. Query results

If one or more of your candidates don’t have a result, or if you have questions about, or are unhappy with a candidate’s result, then you may wish to use one of our post-results services.

If you’re still unhappy with the post-results decision then you may be able to appeal.

Please check the fees and deadlines for each service.

9. Receive certificates

A candidate’s final results are recorded on an OCR certificate, issued about 8 weeks after results are published.

There's more information in our certificates section, including how to:
- Request unit/early certificates
- Deal with lost or damaged items and amendments
- Obtain replacement certificates or certifying statements of results.
10. Need support and training?

We’re here to support you throughout the exams cycle and we produce a range of tools and additional guidance material you may find useful.

Find your local Customer Support Manager, and your local exams officer or teacher network.

Keep up to date with our monthly exams officer update and subject information updates, plus our regular blog posts.

You can also find out more details about Interchange.

1. Get approved

2. Apply for access arrangements

3. Choose your moderation method

4. Make entries

5. Submit marks and prepare your sample

6. Conduct the exams

7. Receive results

8. Query results

9. Receive certificates

10. Need support and training?