Paper-based tests

This section provides guidance on paper-based tests for the following OCR Functional Skills qualifications, which are available on-demand: 

• English Levels 1 and 2 (09498, 09499) one test for reading and one test for writing at each level
  
• ICT Levels 1 and 2 (09876, 09877) one test at each level
  
• Mathematics Levels 1 and 2 (09865, 09866) one test at each level.
  

Sample assessment materials are available via our past papers finder.

When offering Functional Skills external tests, centres must adhere to the following instructions:

Centres timetable tests when they wish and there are no OCR-set test windows. Centres must inform candidates of the date and time of their tests. 

Once you have made your entries, you will receive question papers within five working days.

You have 15 working days after making your entry to return all used and unused question papers to OCR.

Once you open a packet of papers, you have five consecutive working days in which your candidates may sit that paper. This is your 'test window’ for that paper. You must make sure tests are taken and candidates only sit the paper once within this window. 

You can make new entries without waiting until papers from previous entries are returned. This means you can run multiple five-day testing windows. The rules regarding timetabling of tests apply to each separate set of entries.

You can use our ‘dates calculator’ to help you working out the testing windows:

Question papers are confidential and must be stored in approved secure storage, as outlined in section 1 of the OCR ICE.

All question papers must be accounted for and held securely by the centre. Question papers may not be issued to anyone other than the candidates taking the test or scribes/readers assigned to them. Question papers should never be photocopied without permission from OCR. All papers (used and unused) must be returned to OCR and must never be used for teaching or examination practice.

Question papers must not be marked by the centre or feedback given to candidates. No reworking of any part of the test is allowed once the test has been completed.

Each question paper has a paper variant code to distinguish between the different papers.

For example, OCR Level 1 Functional Skills in Mathematics might have variants such as MA01, MC10, MB1 and MB19. 

For ICT assessments, the variant code is associated with a set of data files.

Each paper variant will be ‘live’ for a selected period, after which it will be withdrawn.

Copying or retaining live papers or using a withdrawn paper will be treated as malpractice. 

You can use the paper variants to track use of assessment within a ten-day period.

Maths and English reading and writing tests consist of scenario-based questions. ICT tests consist of practical tasks using a computer. These must take place under examined conditions as per the OCR ICE.

Centres must verify the identity of candidates taking the test and must be satisfied the candidate taking the test is the one whose name will be submitted to OCR.

Resources

Invigilators must know what equipment is permitted in each test and that candidates take into the examination room only that which is allowed. 

Candidates will need a pen with black ink. In addition:

• English: candidates may have access to a computer and printer to print out their responses. 
• ICT: candidates need access to a computer, a printer and the internet.
• Maths: candidates need a calculator (see the OCR ICE for details) and ruler.

Test durations

*ICT tests: We recommend candidates spend approximately 15 minutes on part A and the rest of the time on part B. Internet access is required to complete part A, but must be disabled before the candidates start part B.

ICT data files

Centres must download data files so that candidates can carry out the Functional Skills Levels 1 and 2 ICT tasks:

English and ICT printouts

For English and ICT tests, candidates can either handwrite their answers on the question paper or use a computer and print out their responses. Maths responses must be written on the question paper.

• Printing may be carried out after the time allocated for the assessment. 
• Candidates must check that their name appears on every printout. 
• Candidates can handwrite their name on each document.
• Printouts must be inserted into the question papers in the correct order and handed to the supervisor. 
• Printouts without a name will be awarded no marks. 

1. Log into Interchange, hover over ‘Functional Skills’ and click ‘On demand attendance lists’ in the left-hand menu.
2. Select the relevant qualification from the dropdown list and choose the assessment and then select 'Search'. This will display any attendance lists you have saved but not submitted.
3. To create a new attendance list, click ‘Create Attendance List’.
4. Search for candidates by selecting ‘Search named candidate’ or ‘Search Unnamed Candidate’ and inputting name, part name or UCI number then selecting ‘Find candidate’. Leaving the find candidate field blank will display all candidates. You can also create a new candidate. 
5. Select the candidates you want to add to your attendance list by ticking the box and then clicking ‘Add selected candidates’. The attendance list will appear at the bottom of the page.
   
   

   Note: You can add candidates with named and unnamed entries on the same attendance list and you can also add different paper variants.

6. Complete the date attended by clicking in the ‘Date Attended’ box and selecting a date. If a number of candidates have all sat tests on the same date, click ‘Copy to rows below’. 
7. You can click ‘Save’ at any time to return to it later. 
8. Once you’ve added all the dates, click ‘Submit’. 
9. You will see a warning message. Click ‘OK’ to submit or ‘Cancel’ to go back. 
10. Once you've selected ‘OK’, you will see a confirmation page.

1. Log into Interchange, hover over ‘Functional Skills’ then click ‘Submitted attendance lists’ in the left-hand menu. 
2. Select the ‘Reference Number’ to display a specific attendance list then click ‘Print’. 
3. To print the examiner’s address, click ‘Print Examiner label’. The address is set up in a label format so you can print directly to a label.

Pack and securely seal the following items in the envelope provided: 

• Completed question papers - grouped by paper variant rather than by the order on the attendance list. These must include any loose pages, such as detached resource documents
• Unused question papers – these must all be returned to OCR and never used for teaching or examination practice
• Copy of the submitted attendance list 
• Completed declaration to confirm all used and unused papers have been returned (form A507).

Responsibility for candidates’ work remains with the centre until it is received by the OCR examiner. You should use a secure form of delivery, e.g. Parcelforce, to send the candidate work to the examiner.