Entries - General Qualifications

  • Choose Vocational Qualifications

Entry deadlines are available on the timetables and key dates page.

Entry fees, including late entry fees and re-sit entry fees, are available in the fees list. Please click on the subheadings below to view more information about the different entry types.

Entry types

Preliminary entries

OCR collects preliminary entries for a small number of qualifications, where in-course teaching guides and question papers are required at a very early stage of the teaching process.

The Preliminary entry form 2013New (PDF, 123 KB) form lists all qualifications that require preliminary entries. It is important to return your preliminary entry form by the date shown on the form so that we can send you the required materials.

Submitting preliminary entries does not replace the need to make estimated entries or final entries.

Estimated entries

Estimated entries are your centre's best projection of the number of candidates that will be entered for a unit or option in a particular series.

If you do not make estimated entries, you will not receive despatches of early examination materials (for example, instructions for practical examinations and pre-release materials) when you require them.

Estimated entries can only be submitted through OCR Interchange. Just log on to Interchange, hover over Entries in the left-hand menu and click on 'Submit estimated entries'.

Estimated entries are free and do not commit your centre in any way.

Final entries

Final entries provide OCR with detailed data for each candidate, showing each assessment to be taken:

There are two methods of submitting final entries:

  • OCR Interchange - OCR's secure extranet. 
  • EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) – An electronic method of transmitting entry and results data to and from OCR using A2C or a third party carrier. To download basedata for creating electronic entry files, please see the Basedata section.

For details of what entry information is required and for information about re-sit entries, terminal rules and submission methods, please see the Admin Guide. Entry codes, availability and rules of combination can be found in the Entry Codes bookletUpdated3 January 2012 (PDF, 6 MB).

Entry amendments and withdrawals

It is possible to amend or withdraw candidates’ entries via either Interchange or EDI, if they are made by the dates given in the Admin Guide.

Hard copy amendments will not be accepted.