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  • Digital music tracks for GCSE, AS and A Level Music listening exams

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      Digital music tracks for GCSE, AS and A Level Music listening exams 21 March 2023

      From the June 2023 series onwards, we're no longer providing CDs for the listening exams in the following qualifications:

      • AS Level Music – H143
      • A Level Music – H543
      • GCSE Music – J536

      Instead, two working days before the exams, exams officers will be able to download digital audio files via our secure system, Digital File Despatch service. If you’ve not used Digital File Despatch, before, we’ll create an account automatically for you by the end of April.

      We’ll send full instructions prior to the exams which will be included with the question paper despatch. Exams officers can open these instructions upon receipt. We've provided a preview of these instructions below.

      Preview of instructions

      AS and A Level Music Listening and appraising exams – H143/03 and H543/05

      The music tracks for AS Level and A Level Music Listening and appraising exams will be available to download from https://digitalfiledespatch.ocr.org.uk/ two working days before the examination.

      You must download and check the quality of the music tracks in advance of the examination.

      We recommend you test the music tracks using the equipment candidates will use during the examination.

      The music tracks must be tested under secure conditions within the centre.

      After testing in a sound-secure environment, the music tracks must be stored securely electronically and only be accessible to an exams officer or a person authorised by the Head of Centre, or if using a USB or similar device, locked away in the centre's secure storage until the examination. Devices that the tracks are stored on for candidates ahead of the examination must also be stored securely.

      The music tracks must not be removed from the centre before the examination date.

      For the exam

      Each candidate requires an individual copy of the downloaded music tracks on a device with software installed to play them, e.g. VLC Media Player, Windows Media Player or equivalent, and headphones of the highest quality available. Poor sound reproduction can seriously disadvantage the candidates.

      It is recommended that the music tracks are played with the bass and treble (or graphic equalisers) set in the mid-position or adjusted before the examination to the best quality of sound reproduction.

      It is important that the software used has forward and reverse cueing facilities and a track timer.

      Devices should be fully charged and spare devices should be available if the device cannot be powered by the mains electricity supply.

      Faulty files

      If a major fault is identified with the music track which cannot be overcome by adjusting the controls on your equipment, contact the OCR Customer Support Centre on 01223 553998 and a replacement file will be arranged for download. Please do not email the faulty file. A secure method of transfer back to OCR will be made available.

      GCSE Music Listening and appraising – J536/05

      The music track for GCSE Music component J536/05 Listening and appraising will be available to download from https://digitalfiledespatch.ocr.org.uk/ two working days before the examination.

      You must download and check the quality of the music track in advance of the examination.

      We recommend you test the music track using the equipment you intend to use during the examination.

      After testing in a sound-secure environment, the music track must be stored securely electronically and only accessible to an exams officer or a person authorised by the Head of Centre, or if using a USB or similar device, locked away in the centre's secure storage until the examination.

      The music track must not be removed from the centre before the examination date.

      For the exam

      It is recommended that the music track is played with the bass and treble (or graphic equalisers) set in the mid-position or adjusted before the examination to the best quality of sound reproduction.

      Faulty files

      If a major fault is identified with the music track which cannot be overcome by adjusting the controls on your equipment, contact the OCR Customer Support Centre on 01223 553998 and a replacement file will be arranged for download. Please do not email the faulty file. A secure method of transfer back to OCR will be made available.

      Additional music assessment guidance

      You can view additional assessment guidance for the GCSE, AS and A Level Music listening exams on the assessment page of our website.

      Access arrangements guidance on applying extra time in music listening exams is also available on our website.

      Accessing the digital tracks

      How do I get set up to download the digital tracks?

      If you’ve not used our secure system, Digital File Despatch (DFD), before, we’ll create an account automatically for you by the end of April. 

      You’ll then receive two emails: one containing a PIN and another with a link you’ll need to click to activate your account and create your password. The link is active for 24 hours.

      If the link is no longer active, follow the same process as if you'd forgotten your password (see below).

      Once you’ve created your password, you’ll be able to log into your account at digitalfiledespatch.ocr.org.uk with your email address (see below) and password.

      Which email address do you use to set up a DFD account?

      When setting up your DFD account, we use the email address we hold for your centre on the National Centre Number Register (NCN). More information about the NCN, including how to update your details is available on our website. If you need us to use a different email address than that on the NCN, please let us know. 

      I’ve forgotten my DFD login details, what do I do? 

      If you have a DFD account, go to digitalfiledespatch.ocr.org.uk, click on the ‘Forgotten your password?’ link and enter the account email address. You’ll receive two emails: one containing your PIN and another with a link you’ll need to click to reset your password and enter your PIN.

      If you have any queries about this update, please call our Customer Support Centre on 01223 553998 or email us at support@ocr.org.uk. 

      Qualifications

      • Music - H143, H543 (from 2016)
      • Music (9-1) - J536 (from 2016)
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