Guidance

Secure delivery of exam scripts: information for examiners

Updated 13 May 2025

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dispatch-of-exam-scripts-yellow-label-service/secure-delivery-of-exam-scripts-information-for-examiners

The Standards and Testing Agency partners with awarding organisations and Parcelforce Worldwide to ensure the secure and prompt delivery of exam scripts, requiring a signature for tracking and confirmation of safe delivery.

How the delivery process works

(Transcript of flowchart)

How the delivery process works (transcript)

Parcelforce Worldwide makes a first attempt to deliver packages at the address you have provided to the awarding organisation. This includes Saturday deliveries.

Scenario 1 – someone is available to accept and sign for the delivery:

Your packages are delivered. Check that the number of packages received matches the number shown on the driver’s handheld device and sign for proof of delivery.

Scenario 2 – no one is available to accept and sign for delivery:

The driver leaves a delivery card and takes the packages back to the depot. Parcelforce Worldwide will automatically attempt to make a second delivery at your registered address the following day. This includes Saturday deliveries.

You return to find the delivery card.

  1. If you will be available to receive the second attempted delivery the following day, you don’t need to do anything. The driver will automatically attempt to make that second delivery.

  2. If you will not be available the next day, contact the Parcelforce Worldwide depot by telephone or via the website as soon as possible to rearrange the second delivery to a different address or a different day. For requests made late in the day, a next day redelivery to an alternative address cannot be guaranteed.

If no one is available to accept and sign for the second attempted delivery, the driver will leave another delivery card. The depot will wait for further delivery instructions from you.

Your packages are delivered. Check that the number of packages received matches the number shown on the driver’s handheld device and sign for proof of delivery.

Exam script delivery and redelivery

Registered delivery address

Your exam scripts will be sent to the delivery address agreed in your marking contract – usually your home. You cannot change this after the exam series starts.

Someone else at your address may sign for packages, or you can provide an alternative address (for example, a neighbour or friend), but all deliveries must be signed for.

You are responsible for packages once signed for.

Delivery timings

Deliveries are made Monday to Saturday, typically within 48 hours of the exam.

Missed deliveries and redelivery

If no one is home, Parcelforce will leave a delivery card and make a second attempt the next day. If missed again, packages are held for up to 16 days.

You can arrange redelivery via the:

  • Parcelforce website  
  • Parcelforce exams helpdesk at 0344 561 7998
  • instructions on the delivery card

You can redirect packages to another address (for example, a neighbour, post office or workplace). For next day redelivery to a new address, contact Parcelforce early on the day of the first attempt.

To collect from a depot, call them a day before.

Post office deliveries

Confirm with your local branch that they can store parcels securely before arranging a delivery there. They may charge per package – this is reimbursable by the awarding organisation.

Checking deliveries

Always verify that the number of packages you receive matches the driver’s device before signing. If it does not, you can:

  • ask for a rescan
  • refuse delivery and contact the Parcelforce exams helpdesk on 0344 561 7998

Ensure that anyone signing on your behalf is also aware they must check this.

Delayed deliveries

If no packages or delivery cards arrive within 5 working days of an exam, or full allocation is not received within 7 to 10 working days, contact the awarding organisation (not the exam centre).

Address change or stopping marking

If you move, inform the awarding organisation. They can issue new labels if packages have not been sent yet.

If you stop marking, notify the awarding organisation, return any received scripts and refuse further deliveries.

Contacts

Parcelforce exams helpdesk

Post office helpline

Awarding organisations

Awarding organisation Telephone number Email address
AQA 0800 197 7162 examinerlabels@aqa.org.uk
NCFE 0191 239 8000 assessmentdelivery@ncfe.org.uk
OCR 01223 553 998 general.qualifications@ocr.org.uk
Pearson 0344 463 2535 examsofficers@pearson.com
WJEC 029 2026 5077 yellowlabels@wjec.co.uk
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