Depending on the final entry option, candidate samples can be submitted via digital upload using Submit for Assessment, post or via a moderation visit. 

• When making your final entries, the entry option specifies how to submit the sample of work for each unit/component. 
• Use the entry codes booklet to check the option codes.
• For each unit/component, all candidate marks and work must be submitted using the same entry option. 
• You can choose different entry options for different units or components.

Once you have submitted your marks to us, you will receive a moderation sample request.

For most specifications you will receive a sample request via email from noreply@ocr.org.uk (see Exceptions below).

Once we start to send sample requests (usually at the beginning of the month in which the mark submission deadline falls), you will normally receive a sample request within one or two days of submitting your marks.

If you are part of a consortium we will wait until we have received marks from each centre before sending a sample request.

Samples will include work from across the range of attainment of the candidates’ work.

The size of the sample we request depends on the number of candidates for the relevant unit/component:

As we send sample requests via email, it’s essential the email address we hold for your exams officer is correct.

This is the address that is held on the JCQ National Centre Number Register.

If you need to change this email address and, therefore, your exams officer contact details, please send the updated details on centre-headed paper to the JCQ National Centre Number Register as an email attachment to ncn@ocr.org.uk.

We can only hold one email address per centre so please do not change this address unless you wish all exams office communications to be sent to a different address.

Exceptions

You will not receive a sample request for the following qualifications:

• GCSE (9-1) English Language Spoken Language endorsement – you need to select the sample as described on the endorsements page and submit by the mark submission deadline.
• Entry Level Physical Education (R463) – Once you've submitted marks (by 15 May), your moderator will contact you to request moderation samples.

Submit for Assessment enables centres to submit candidate work electronically for moderation.

Once you receive your sample request, you should upload the work to Submit for Assessment within three working days of receiving the request. 

See our guidance for support with uploading work to Submit for Assessment.

The candidate work must be posted to the moderator within three working days of receiving the sample request.

You will be sent address labels to send candidate work to the moderator. See the key dates for details of when these will be sent to you.

Please make sure the address on the moderator label matches the address provided on the sample request. If they do not match, please use the address provided on the sample request and make sure to use labels for the correct series (not leftover labels from previous series). 

On rare occasions, work can get lost in the postal system. We strongly advise you to keep evidence of work submitted to the moderator, e.g. copies of annotated versions of written work or photographs of practical work.

You should obtain a certificate of posting for all work posted to the moderator. 

Please ensure you include a return address on the packaging, just in case there is a problem with the delivery. We recommend you do not use courier services or other specialist postage methods, as moderators may experience difficulty receiving deliveries, which can delay moderation.

Sending removable data

If you’re sending removable media such as USBs, DVDs, etc, we recommend you send unencrypted data wherever possible. If you have no other option than to use encrypted data:

1. Save the work as usual.
2. Clearly label the removable data with your centre number and component number and send it to the Cambridge OCR assessor.
3. Print the password out together with your centre name, number and component details and send it to the assessor in a separate package.
4. Email us at NEApasswords@ocr.org.uk with your centre number, the component number and the password.

For the following qualifications or components, candidate work or performance is viewed by a visiting moderator: 

• GCSE, AS and A Level Art and Design – The moderator will contact centres once the marks are received to arrange a visit. 
• AS and A Level Physical Education (H155/04 and H555/05) and GCSE Physical Education (J587/04) – Centres must submit a visit request. See the guidance on the Physical Education visits and filmed evidence page.
• Entry Level Physical Education (R463/03) – Centres must submit a visit request. See the guidance on the Entry Level PE assessment arrangements page.

Visiting moderator identification

Due to internal safeguarding policies we appreciate centres may need to see identification from visiting moderators before they are allowed access to the site. We do not issue visiting moderators with any form of identification, and we have advised moderators they should bring the following with them to any visit:

• A valid form of photo identification (e.g. passport, driver’s licence)
• A copy of their invitation from us to moderate
• A valid DBS certificate if they have one (we do not require visiting moderators to hold a valid DBS certificate in order to fulfil the role).

We also suggest visiting moderators arrange to meet their named contact on arrival at the centre, as they will have the moderator’s details and can verify these with their identification.

If your safeguarding policy requires some form of supervision for visitors whilst on site, this requirement should be discussed with the moderator before the visit so there is no impact on the moderation process.

We have advised visiting moderators of what identification they should take with them on visits; however, if you have any concerns then please contact our Customer Support Centre.

In the case of a candidate for whom the internally assessed work has been lost or is missing, or where the work is damaged or is incomplete, then you must apply for special consideration. 

In addition, if the candidate concerned forms part of the requested sample, you must substitute an equivalent candidate’s work on, or as near as possible to, the same mark point. 

In certain circumstances we may request to see incomplete portfolio evidence where an application has been made.