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Help and FAQs

Our ExamBuilder walk-through video shows how to use the different areas of ExamBuilder.

If you can't find the information you need on this page, please email exambuilder@ocr.org.uk. 

Accessing ExamBuilder

Creating tests

Saving tests

Sharing tests

Exporting tests

 

Accessing ExamBuilder

How do I create ExamBuilder accounts for other users?

Any existing user can create new users for their school/centre. Click ‘User Management’ at the bottom of the screen from any page. Click 'New User' and fill out the required details, then click Save. The new user will receive an email to activate their account.

I haven’t received my account activation email

If you create a new ExamBuilder user for your school/centre, account activation emails are normally sent within 60 minutes of the request, from no-reply@exambuilder.ocr.org.uk.

If you are the first user to sign up for an ExamBuilder account from your school/centre and have completed our sign-up form, your identity will be checked by our team prior to account creation. In this case, account activation emails are normally sent within one working day of the request, from no-reply@exambuilder.ocr.org.uk.

If you haven’t received your activation email:

Check your spam/junk folder
Add no-reply@exambuilder.ocr.org.uk to your safe senders list
Check with your IT department to ensure the email has not been blocked (the email comes from no-reply@exambuilder.ocr.org.uk)
Contact exambuilder@ocr.org.uk for more help

I can’t log in

If you have forgotten your password, please use the reset password option on the log in page.
If you have not set your password yet, please use the ‘Resend activation link’ option on the log in page. 
If you do not have an account, please contact an existing ExamBuilder user within your centre who will be able to add you.

How do I update my details?

Click 'My Account' at the bottom of the screen from any page. Here you can update your name, email and password. Click 'Submit' to save any changes. 

Which browsers are required to use ExamBuilder?

You will get the best experience using ExamBuilder with any of the browsers listed below:

Chrome
Internet Explorer
Edge
Firefox
Safari

Please ensure your browser is updated to the latest version.

ExamBuilder pages are responsive down to a window width of 1024px. You will still be able to view and use ExamBuilder on smaller devices using a browser from the supported list, but horizontal scrolling may be required.

What is an Access Coordinator, and how do I find the Access Coordinator for my centre?

Any user can create new accounts, but the Access Coordinator is the only user who can delete accounts for your centre. Each centre has only one Access Coordinator at a time, in order to prevent erroneous deletion of accounts. If you are unable to identify your Access Coordinator, please contact exambuilder@ocr.org.uk.

How do I change our Access Coordinator?

The current Access Coordinator can transfer their role to another user within the ‘User management’ area (found at the bottom of the screen from any page). Click the name of the user you want to view their details. Then select ‘Transfer Access Coordinator role to this user’ and click Save.

If your Access Coordinator has left, please contact OCR at exambuilder@ocr.org.uk with the name and email address of the new Access Coordinator, as well as your centre number and name. 

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Creating tests

Which subjects are available in ExamBuilder?

Over 60 OCR qualifications are currently available in ExamBuilder, and we are working to add more. All users can access the full range of available qualifications from the ExamBuilder home page when they log in.

If you would like your subject to be added, please email exambuilder@ocr.org.uk.

New or reformed subjects may not have as many questions available. We are continually working on new content across all subjects.

How do I create a new test?

Once you have navigated to your desired qualification, click the blue '+ Create a test' button towards the top of the page. From here, you can filter, sort, search and preview questions to find what you need.

How do I filter questions when creating a test?

To open the filter window, click the Filter button at the top left of the screen. To close it, click 'Close' in the top right corner of the filter window. 

To apply a filter, tick the box to the left of the filter. The filter will then appear at the top of the page (next to Sort), and you will be able to see how many questions are available based on that filter. You can apply multiple filters at once. 

To remove the filter, click the filter where it appears at the top of the page (next to Sort), or untick the box to the left of the filter in the filter window.

To see the question filter options in a new expanded window, click the 'open in a new window' icon expand at the top of the filter window. Click the box next to a filter to select it. Click 'Close' at the top right of this window to close this expanded view and apply your selected filters. 

To search for a question using key words, type in the search bar and then press the enter key or the magnifying glass icon to the right of the search bar. 

To remove a keyword search filter, remove your keyword from the search bar and then press the enter key or the magnifying glass icon to the right of the search bar. 

How do I filter questions by subtopics when creating a test?

To see the subtopics available under a certain topic, click the arrow to the right of the topic name in the filter window.

How do I preview questions and their mark schemes when creating a test?

To preview a question, click on the question description. This will show you the question, and give you an option to see the mark scheme for that question.

How do I add questions to my test?

To add a question to your test, click the '+' button to the right of a question or the 'Add to test' button above the question preview.

How do I remove questions from my test?

To remove a question from your test in the 'Add questions' page, click the 'X' button to the right of the question or the 'Remove from test' button above the question preview. 

To delete individual questions from the 'View test' page, click the 'X' button to the right of the question in the 'Questions in this test' area. A confirmation message will appear and you will be able to see your changes in the test preview to the right of the screen. 

To clear all questions from your test from the 'View test' page, click 'Clear all' at the bottom right of the 'Questions in this test' area. A confirmation message will appear and you can start creating your test from scratch. 

How do I reorder the questions in my test?

To reorder the questions in your test, go to 'View test' and click and drag the questions to the desired position in the 'Questions in this test' area. You will then be able to preview the reordered test on the right of the screen. Both the test and mark scheme will be reordered automatically based on your changes. 

How do I view my test and corresponding mark scheme?

To view your test, click 'View test' in the blue bar at the top right of the screen. You'll be able to preview your test to the right of the screen, with the mark scheme at the bottom. This page allows you to reorder the questions in your test, delete questions, and clear all questions. 

What are merged questions?

Whilst we have split questions from exam papers as much as possible, there are some cases where this was not possible and multiple parts need to be kept together. These are referred to as 'merged questions' in ExamBuilder. if merged questions are part of your test, you will receive a notification when you click 'View test'.

If you add part of a merged question to your test, the other parts will be added too. If you reorder questions within your test, merged questions will stay together. You are able to remove any parts of these questions after you have exported the tests into Word or Editable Word.

How do I know where questions came from originally?

Within the question information pane in the 'Add questions' and 'View test' areas you can see the question number, session and unit/module/component code for the individual question.

How can I edit tests I have created?

You can see all the tests you have created for a qualification under 'My Tests' in the relevant qualification page. To edit a created test, click 'Edit' under the test details. You can then add and reorder questions in the same way you did when creating the test. Saving over it will overwrite the original. You can also click 'Clone' under the test details to use an existing test as the basis for a brand new test - saving here will not overwrite the original. 

Can I make a test using questions from more than one subject?

Unfortunately no. You can export your tests to Editable Word and merge multiple tests together offline if you choose to.

Why do I have an odd figure or table number in the question e.g. Figure 31.1?

When we have separated questions from a past paper, we have kept the original figure and table numbering from the paper. This is so that the numbering corresponds to the relevant Examiner Reports and Mark Schemes.

How do I access extra question-related material and additional mark guidance?

The mark scheme is included for all questions. Many questions have additional information from the examiner's report included with the mark scheme. When you export a test, you can choose whether to include the question paper, mark scheme or both.

When exporting a test, you can also download extra question-related material and additional mark guidance by clicking these options in the Export window. This will bring up a range of examiner reports, inserts, data sheets and other useful material. 

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Saving tests

How do I save a test?

To save a test, click 'Save and export' in the blue banner to the right of the create/edit test areas. Each test name needs to be unique. Give your test a name you can use to search for it later where possible. You can also set a time for your tests (this is optional and a time set by you). 

How do I find my saved tests?

Once you've saved a test, it will appear under 'My Tests' in the relevant qualification page. Tests are listed in the order you created them (newest to oldest). To find a test, use the search bar next to 'My Tests'. 

How do I preview a saved test?

You can see all the tests you have saved under 'My Tests' in the relevant qualification page. To preview a created test, click the test name. This will show the test and mark scheme in a new window.

How can I edit my saved tests?

You can see all the tests you have saved under 'My Tests' in the relevant qualification page. To edit a saved test, click 'Edit' under the test details. You can then add and reorder questions in the same way you did when creating the test. Saving over it will rewrite the original. You can also click 'Clone' under the test details to use an existing test as the basis for a brand new test - saving here will not overwrite the original. 

How do I delete my saved tests?

You can see all the tests you have saved under 'My Tests' in the relevant qualification page. To delete a saved test, click 'Delete' under the test details. 

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Sharing tests

How do I share tests with colleagues?

To share a test when creating/editing a test, click 'Save and export' in the blue banner to the right of the create/edit test areas. Make sure you save your test, then click 'Share with rest of your centre' at the bottom left of the screen. 

To share a saved test, find the test under 'My Tests' in the relevant qualification page. Then click 'Share' under the test details.

How do I un-share tests?

To un-share a test when creating/editing a test, click 'Save and export' in the blue banner to the right of the create/edit test areas. Then click 'Un-share with rest of your centre' at the bottom left of the screen. 

To un-share a saved test, find the test under 'My Tests' in the relevant qualification page. Then click 'Un-share' under the test details.

Can I edit a test that a colleague has created?

You are not able to directly edit tests that have been shared with you until you have copied the test into your account. In the ‘Shared with me’ tab, click 'Copy & Edit' under the test details. This will allow you to make changes to the shared test and save a copy with your changes to 'My Tests'. 

What happens to tests a colleague has shared if they leave?

Shared tests remain visible to everyone they have been shared with in the 'Shared with me' tab even if the account that created and shared the tests has been deleted. 

Can I share tests with other centres?

Unfortunately no. However, you can export tests and share them with colleagues offline. 

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Exporting tests

How do I export/print my tests?

To export a test you are creating or editing, click 'Save and export' in the blue banner to the right of the create/edit test areas. Make sure you save your test, then click 'Export to PDF or Word' at the bottom left of the screen. 

To export a saved test, find the test under 'My Tests' in the relevant qualification page. Then click 'Export' under the test details.

The Export options window will then open. Here you can choose your file type, choose whether to export your question paper, mark scheme or both, download extra question-related material and mark guidance, and choose to add a cover page. Once you have selected your options, click 'Export' to download a copy of your test. The downloaded file will appear at the bottom of your screen and in your downloads folder. Open the file to edit or print as desired. 

What is the difference between exporting to PDF, Word or Editable Word?

Choosing PDF will export your test as a PDF document that most closely resembles an OCR exam paper. However, you will not be able to edit the file.

Choosing Word will export your test as a Word document that resembles an OCR exam paper as closely as possible and can be edited to some extent. 

Choosing Editable Word will export your test as a Word document that may not look exactly like an OCR exam paper, but will will allow more flexibility for editing.

Can I export the question paper and mark scheme separately?

Yes. In the Export options window, tick the box next to Question paper or Mark scheme to include this in your document. Untick the box to remove them. So if you want to download the question paper and mark scheme as separate documents, complete one export with only Question paper ticked, and another export with only Mark scheme ticked. 

How do I access extra question-related material and additional mark guidance?

When exporting a test, you can download extra question-related material and additional mark guidance by clicking these options in the Export window. This will bring up a range of examiner reports, inserts, data sheets and other useful material. 

What is the OCR cover page for?

You can choose to include an OCR cover page when exporting your test to give students a more realistic experience of an exam. This cover page utilises information from the test you have created e.g. marks, time available, date set, as well as some OCR question paper features e.g. instructions to candidates.

You are able to edit some elements of the OCR cover page before exporting. These changes can be made across all file types. If you want to make further changes to your cover page after exporting, we recommend exporting the test as an Editable Word file. 

Why are some questions kept on separate pages whilst others are combined?

In an effort to minimise the paper required to print tests, we have included as many questions on a page as we can. However, some questions will not fit on the same page. If you want to change the spacing you are able to do this by exporting to Editable Word. 

Can I add extra answer space to a question, or reduce it?

When you export your tests to Editable Word you are able to add in or take away extra space for questions as required.

Why is ‘Created in ExamBuilder’ written at the bottom of tests?

To distinguish tests made in ExamBuilder from ‘real’ exams we have included ‘Created in ExamBuilder’ at the bottom of pages.

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