This page explains how to make entries for general qualifications (GCSEs, AS and A Levels) using A2C.

To make entries via A2C, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) files need to be created using OCR’s basedata.

Before downloading basedata, please ensure your centre is approved for the relevant qualification(s) and you have the latest version of your Management Information System (MIS).

How you load the basedata will depend upon your examination administration software.

Use our final entry information for help in generating your EDI files:

• Ensure your MIS is set up to generate files in the current JCQ file format – currently version 14. This is defined in the JCQ Formats for the Exchange of Examination Related Data, available from the JCQ website. If you’re unsure which version you are using, check with your MIS provider.
• Use the right basedata for the series (available on our basedata page).
• Ensure you only produce one ‘entry file’ – entry files begin with ‘E’. Amendment files begin with ‘A’. There is no limit to the number of amendment files you can send us. However, if you send us more than one entry file, each new entry file will overwrite previous ones, which could mean previous entries are deleted. If you make your initial entries via Interchange, but submit EDI files subsequently, please ensure your system can generate EDI amendment files beginning with ‘A’ straight away without producing an ‘E’ entry file first.
• EDI files end with a number which indicates the sequence of production, for example ‘x02’. Please ensure your files end in different numbers; otherwise, they may overwrite each other during our processing, which could mean previous entries are deleted.
• Please do not submit files including only a candidate’s personal details, with no associated entries. Only include candidates that have entries for that series with OCR. We do not need details of the candidates you plan to enter in future series or with other awarding bodies.
• Ensure you enter candidates for just one entry option. Don’t enter all candidates for both the repository and postal moderation entry options.

Instructions on how to send your EDI file via A2C are provided on the A2C Transport application download site.

Technical support for examination software packages used by centres is not available from OCR; please contact your software supplier. If you have any queries about the receipt of your entry files or require technical support for A2C, please contact our customer support centre.

Once OCR has downloaded your entry or amendment file, this will be acknowledged within the logs screen of the A2C Transport application under the Sent Files tab.

We download files at least four times each working day.

Note: an acknowledgement does not mean the file has been successfully loaded to our system as validation checks will need to be performed.

Once OCR receives your entries we carry out a number of checks and, if your entries fail the validation checks, we will contact you.

It’s important for you to be available once files have been submitted in case we have any queries on your entries.