For linear qualifications such as GCSEs, AS and A Levels, we provide the qualification grade and total qualification mark within EDI files, apart from any qualifications with an endorsement. Due to formatting constraints, there isn't room in the file to include the qualification marks as well as the endorsement grades.

To download your results, open A2C on your computer and, from the inbox, select the ‘Send/Receive files’ button. From here you can import this to your MIS. 

If you haven’t received your files as expected, check your A2C log and see if the file has been recorded there. If yes, please close, log in again and select ‘send/receive’ for the file to appear. 

Alternatively, please check another user at the centre has not already downloaded the results on another PC.

Our EDI results files are in the latest JCQ format (currently version 14).

This format is used by all the JCQ awarding bodies (see the JCQ formats booklet).

Component results are not issued within EDI files – these are provided in the XML results files.

A2C access keys are typically valid for 10 years, so you may receive a warning to say yours has expired. However, they will continue to work even if you're seeing a warning message.

If you want to request a new access key, you can do this in Interchange from Centre Information > A2C Data Exchange and then follow the on-screen instructions.

You can read more about using A2C on the JCQ website.

The JCQ result file format does not support more than two characters for a grade. The following table explains the mapping between the grading format used within the EDI file downloaded from A2C, and the candidate’s actual grade. To view how qualifications are displayed within the EDI files, take a look at the JCQ gradesets.

Centres using SIMS can use a specific summer basedata to import results for Cambridge Technicals into the summer season of your management information system. This summer basedata is an optional download and is available from June each year. We’ve provided instructions on how to do this.

Difficulties importing results

If you are unable to import your EDI results files, before you do anything else, please check you have the latest version of the basedata. This is the first thing our Customer Support Team will ask you if you are having difficulties, so it’s best to check this first.

ESS SIMS also have a helpful YouTube video you can use if you need a reminder on how to refresh your basedata.

Some common error messages you may see when you’re downloading your EDI results file include:

• ‘Results for elements absent from imported basedata’ – This is where you may not have imported all the elements in your basedata and is usually resolved by refreshing the basedata to include all the units or qualifications you need.
• 'Invalid series code in file' – This is where you are trying to import a results file that doesn’t match the basedata. This could be if you are trying to import the moderated or qualification results into the optional summer basedata without amending the file or you have amended the file and are importing it into the annual (September) basedata.
• ‘Results not matched by an entry’ – This is not a ‘fatal error’ and you can simply click through the messages to download the file.

Missing or incomplete results

If you have any results missing from your EDI file, check Interchange to see whether a result has been issued and has just not been included in the file due to a missing unique candidate identifier (UCI) or the result was issued after the EDI file was created.

If you still have any missing or incomplete results, it’s also worth making sure:

• Your students have achieved all the units required.
• Your students have a valid combination of units. 
• All students are entered for the correct qualification, including the right qualification level. 
• You submitted your request for any reductions in assessment.
• You have claimed for all required moderated units, including resits, and at the correct grade. 
• None of your students have duplicate records (ie more than one eight-digit OCR candidate number).