How students can write Greek words and phrases when using a word processor in their exam

Alex Orgee, Classics Subject Advisor, and Stuart Ross, Special Requirements Manager

Throughout the year, but especially in the months leading up to the summer examination series, we receive a number of enquiries from teachers and exams officers asking how their students who use a word processor should go about adding Classical Greek words and phrases into their answers. In this blog we explain the options that are available.

Using word processors

Each school or college should have their own word processing policy which outlines which students can use a word processor (computer, laptop or tablet) to undertake their examinations. Word processors need to be used in line with sections 14.20 to 14.27 of the JCQ Instructions for Conducting Examinations.

This blog is focusing on the use of word processors. If you have any queries about any other access arrangement or reasonable adjustment, please contact the special requirements teams at srteam@ocr.org.uk.

Options that students can use

Our assessors are looking for candidates to write the Greek so candidates should not transliterate any Greek they wish to include in their answer. Therefore, we thought it would be useful to share the advice we have given to schools and colleges about what options are available to students. 

The examples given below have been specifically written for a candidate answering literature papers, but these approaches could also be used in the language papers. 

1. Type all the answers that need to be in English and leave space to add the Greek words by hand after printing. 
2. Write out the Greek quotes by hand in the answer booklet, referring to them as quote 1, etc. In their typed answer, the candidate should refer to these handwritten quotes by referencing ‘see quote 1’ etc. 
3. Type all the answers which need to be in English using the keyboard and input the Greek words letter-by-letter by selecting the “Insert > Symbol” option within the word processing software. 
4. Type all the answers which need to be in English using the standard keyboard then switch the language of the keyboard to Greek (or change to a Greek keyboard) and the candidate types the words that they need to in Greek. This article from Microsoft shows how you can switch between languages using the Language bar.
   
   The candidate would need to have a lot of time to learn this technique before the examination. Keyboard stickers would be acceptable if this method was to be used. They could also switch back and forward during the exam. Further information and tips relating to this approach can be found in this document.
5. If the candidate has the non-interactive electronic version of the paper, they would be allowed to copy and paste Greek characters or words into their word-processed document. However, there is no guarantee that all characters or words that a candidate needs to produce their responses will be in the paper. This technique is most useful when quoting words found in passages.
   

Further information

As detailed in Lauren’s blog about returning scripts, you no longer need to use a word processor cover sheet, but we have provided one if you would like to use one. If the candidate has used a word processor to answer questions but has also written answers in the booklet, it’s useful if you do use a word processor cover sheet to indicate this. The cover sheet should be inserted into the question paper or answer booklet along with the word-processed pages. 

If your students have alternative methods, please get in touch with us. If these approaches are approved, we can update the blog to include them. 

Please note: All of the this information is correct at the time of publication. If the regulations change, we will update this blog to reflect any changes.

Stay connected

If you have any comments or questions, you can email us at classics@ocr.org.uk or tweet us @OCR_Classics. You can also sign up to subject updates and receive email information about Classics resources and support.

About the authors

Alex has worked at OCR since 2009, first joining the Classics team in 2012. Since then, he has been involved in the redevelopment of all the Classics qualifications. In his spare time, Alex enjoys cycling, watching sport, and gardening.

Stuart oversees the team responsible for processing requests for access arrangements, reasonable adjustments and special consideration. He joined OCR in 2014 having previously taught students up to GCSE level with physical disabilities in the UK and taught English as a foreign language in Spain.