General Qualifications

New EDI file format from 1 September 2011

From 1 September 2011, a new version of the JCQ EDI Formats (Version 14) has been introduced. Before you import basedata for 2011/12, please ensure that you install the latest version of the management information system you use to administer examinations.

We have been advised that, following Capita's recent software upgrade, some centres using SIMS may find that the basedata fails to import correctly. If you do experience any issues, please contact Capita directly for support.

Schedule for the publication of 2011/12 basedata files

SeriesSeries codeQualificationPublication date
January 20121a12GCSE/Entry Level, Level 2 Award, Level 1/2 Certificate GCE, Level 3 Certificate, Principal Learning, Project14 September 2011
June 20126a12
6b12		GCSE/Entry Level, Level 2 Award
GCE, Level 3 Certificate, Principal Learning, Project		18 November 2011

June 2012 series 6a - z6a12_01 (format version 14)

Syllabus, Component, Link, Disallowed and Option Basedata files for making examination entries for GCSE/Entry Level, Level 2 Award and Level 1/2 Certificate qualifications.

Issue number 3

Issue number 3: Disallowed file updated to remove GCSE J350 English and GCSE J360 English Literature combination.

Please note: The June series 6a file contains the appropriate Pilot schemes for the series. You should only make entries for Pilot schemes if you have been invited by OCR to be a Pilot centre.

June 2012 series 6b - z6b12_01 (format version 14)

Syllabus, Component, Link, Disallowed and Option Basedata files for making examination entries for GCE, Level 3 Certificate, Principal Learning and Project qualifications.

Any Welsh centres wishing to make entries for Principal Learning (Wales) should contact the Welsh office for the basedata files.

Please note: The June series 6b file contains the appropriate Pilot schemes for the series. You should only make entries for Pilot schemes if you have been invited by OCR to be a Pilot centre.

January 2012 series 1a - z1a12_01 (format version 14)

Syllabus, Component, Link, Disallowed and Option Basedata files for making examination entries for GCE, GCSE/Entry Level, Level 2 Award, Level 3 Certificate, Principal Learning and Project qualifications.

Any Welsh centres wishing to make entries for Principal Learning (Wales) should contact the Welsh office for the basedata files.

Issue number 3 (updated 7 October 2011)

Issue number 3: Syllabus and Option files updated to include GCSE J385 Geography B and GCSE Short Course J085 Geography.

Please note: The January series 1a file contains the appropriate Pilot schemes for the series. You should only make entries for Pilot schemes if you have been invited by OCR to be a Pilot centre.

November 2011 GCSE units series Ba - zBa11_01 (format version 14)

Syllabus, Component, Link, Disallowed and Option Basedata files for making examination entries for GCSE units.

Basedata instructions

Download each set of files, extract all of the constituent files to a suitable directory and then use the import or update feature in your examinations software to add the new basedata.

Which file should I choose?

Choose the .exe self-extracting zip file if you use Windows 95 or later. Double-clicking on the downloaded file will automatically extract the relevant files.

Choose the .zip file if you use Windows 3.1 and then use a zip program such as WinZip or PKZip to extract the files.

Please note: These executable and self-extracting .zip files may contain viruses that could harm your computer. OCR has checked for viruses using commercial virus-checking software but by downloading and opening these files you agree that OCR shall not be liable for any damage or loss caused in the event that the file contains a virus or other harmful component.

OCR cannot answer any questions on the use of SIMS or any other exams software packages.

OCR does not currently support any problems associated with EDI files and Centres should contact their selected carrier.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Show all answers / Hide all answers

What do I do if I get an error message when I import the basedata files into my system?

In the first instance, contact your software provider to report the error.

Which files do I need to download?

You need to download all of the series files, either the .exe or .zip file for the qualifications that you are making entries for, e.g. GCSE June 6a or GCE June 6b.

What do I do if I can't find the subject I'm looking for?

Check in the OCR Admin Guide and Entry Codes: 14-19 Qualifications to see if it is being offered in the relevant series.

Check that the subject is in the individual Option or Syllabus basedata files.

If it is not in the file and the Admin Guide says that it should be available, check the website to see if an updated basedata file is available. If it is not, contact us via the Customer Contact Centre.

Certification/Unit link file

The file is a list of Certifications and their associated (linked) units to provide centres with details of which units may be used towards an overall Certification.

Certification/unit link file 2011/2012 - ulinks01.x11