Guidance

Dispatch of exam scripts guide

Updated 16 March 2026

This guide provides information for examination centres in England using the Department for Education’s (DfE) yellow label service to dispatch exam scripts for marking.

Please read this guide in conjunction with the Joint Council for Qualifications’ (JCQ) instructions for conducting exams.

Collection arrangements

As Parcelforce is working towards a new combined parcel network with Royal Mail, awarding organisations are working to align their IT systems with new Parcelforce systems by the end of July 2026.

There will be temporary collection arrangements in place from April to July 2026, before reverting to the standard arrangements from August 2026.

April to July 2026

Script return labels (yellow labels)

The awarding organisations will continue to provide the labels and script return packaging, in either the:

• current landscape format (6cm high x 16.5cm wide)
• new portrait format (15.3cm high x 10.2cm wide)

The packaging process is unchanged. Always attach one label per package which corresponds to the scripts inside.

Scheduled collections

During summer 2026, there will be scheduled collections between April and June. This includes centres administering Functional Skills.

Parcelforce will arrange daily collection slots with centres that have at least 3 exam sittings in any week from the start of April until the end of the JCQ’s timetabled summer exam series on Tuesday 23 June.

Ad hoc collections – temporary process

Centres that do not qualify for scheduled collections or have exams outside of the common timetable would usually arrange ad hoc collections on the Parcelforce website or by calling the Parcelforce exams helpdesk.

However, for summer 2026 exams between April and June, and Functional Skills between April and July, the online booking system will not be available and centres do not need to call the Parcelforce exams helpdesk. Instead, Parcelforce will attend each centre on the next working day following each exam sitting, noting that:

• Parcelforce will arrive between 9am and 4pm
• Friday 1 May will be the last collection day before the Early May bank holiday – Parcelforce will then return from Tuesday 5 May onwards
• Friday 22 May will be the last collection day before the Spring bank holiday – Parcelforce will then return on Tuesday 26 May, but that will be the last scheduled collection before the May half term break
• Monday 2 June will be the first collection day after the May half term break
• exam centres can book additional ad hoc collections between Wednesday 27 May and Friday 29 May, provided someone will be available at the centre to hand over the packages and complete the dispatch log, by calling the Parcelforce exams helpdesk on 0344 561 7998

From August 2026

The collections booking process will revert to the usual arrangements from August 2026, although there will be a new online collection booking system.

Script return labels (yellow labels)

All awarding organisations will issue labels in the new portrait format (15.3cm high x 10.2cm wide).

Scheduled collections

Parcelforce will arrange daily collection slots with centres that have exam sittings, excluding Functional Skills, on 3 or more days in any week during the JCQ’s timetabled summer exam series (May to June).

Ad hoc collections

You must book individual collections if your centre does not qualify for scheduled collections or requires collections in addition to the scheduled ones:

• You must complete each booking at least 24 hours in advance, although you can book up to 14 days ahead.
• You can make a booking by selecting ‘Arrange Online’ on the Parcelforce website or by calling the Parcelforce exams helpdesk on 0344 561 7998.
• You will receive a booking reference number for each booked collection, which you should note on a dispatch log.

Centres with multiple sites

We can only collect from centres’ addresses held in the National Centre Number (NCN) database.

Awarding organisations’ standardisation exercises

Your awarding organisation may ask you to supply exam scripts for a standardisation meeting. They will provide instructions and make the collection arrangements, which are separate to the yellow label service.

Transferred candidates

Follow your awarding organisation’s instructions for dispatching scripts of candidates who transferred to you from another centre.

Packing exam scripts

General requirements

• Use only the script packaging and labels provided by your awarding organisation. Contact them if you need more envelopes, packaging, or labels.
• Do not use paper envelopes, as they are easily damaged in transit.
• Ensure all scripts are accounted for before sealing the envelope.
• Do not mix scripts from different exams in the same envelope, even if the destination is the same.

Preparing packages

• Avoid overfilling packages. If necessary, split scripts equally across two packages.
• For single scripts, CDs, USB sticks or very light packages, pad the contents with card or bubble wrap.
• Clearly label USB sticks and CDs before putting them into the envelope.

Labelling

• Attach one yellow label per package, ensuring the label matches the scripts inside.
• Check all barcodes are visible and undamaged.
• Do not write on or alter the labels.

Managing collections

Dispatching packages

• Ensure packages are at your collection point 15 minutes before the start of the collection time slot. Store packages safely until the drive arrives.
• Make sure someone is available at the collection point to hand the packages to the Parcelforce driver throughout the collection window.
• Check the packages handed to the Parcelforce driver match those on the dispatch log.
• Ask the Parcelforce driver to scan each package and to add their name, date and time to the dispatch log.
• Retain the dispatch log as proof of dispatch.

Missed collections

If the Parcelforce driver does not arrive, or your packages are not ready, store the packages securely and notify the Parcelforce exams helpdesk on 0344 561 7998.

You can dispatch any missed packages during your next collection or take them to the nearest Parcelforce depot.

Collections before a half term holiday

There are often JCQ timetabled exams on the Friday immediately before the May half term. If Parcelforce attends before you have finished administering all exams, dispatch any available packages.

To arrange a collection for any remaining packages from later sittings, call the Parcelforce exams helpdesk on 0344 561 7998. Alternatively, you can take the packages to a Parcelforce depot.

If you have a collection slot on the Friday before half term and the Parcelforce driver does not attend, call the Parcelforce exams helpdesk on 0344 561 7998.

Service disruptions

Follow the exam system contingency plan in case of major disruption.

There may be occasional localised service disruptions – for example, due to road blocks or adverse weather. If this occurs, you can either:

• store the packages securely until your next arranged collection
• book an additional collection by calling the Parcelforce exams helpdesk on 0344 561 7998
• take the packages to a Parcelforce depot

Help and support

You can contact the Parcelforce exams helpdesk on 0344 561 7998 or at examcollection@parcelforce.co.uk:

• for customer service
• to report a missed collection

You should use the Parcelforce website to:

• track a package
• find your nearest depot

Your awarding organisation can:

• provide replacement or additional labels and packaging
• track stationery that has not arrived
• advise on incorrectly labelled packages

You can find the details for your awarding organisation in the ‘Useful Contacts’ within the ‘Useful information’ section on the Parcelforce website.

For general enquiries about exams administration or complaints, you can contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013 or at assessments@education.gov.uk.