Notice

Notice of monetary penalty in respect of Cambridge OCR

Published 16 April 2026

Applies to England

Imposition of a monetary penalty on Cambridge OCR A/AS Level physics assessment material errors (Summer 2025)

Introduction

1. The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (“Ofqual”) has decided to issue Cambridge OCR with a monetary penalty under section 151A of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (“ASCLA”) in the sum of £270,000

2. This Monetary Penalty Notice (“the notice”) contains the reasons why Ofqual has decided to impose a penalty. Further information about Ofqual’s statutory powers and the Conditions of Recognition are set out in Annex A of this notice.

3. On 8 April 2026, Cambridge OCR entered into a voluntary settlement agreement with Ofqual to resolve this investigation. Cambridge OCR made full admissions and agreed to pay a penalty of £270,000.

4. In accordance with section 151A (4) of the 2009 Act, Ofqual served Cambridge OCR with a Notice of Intention to impose a monetary penalty on 8 April 2026. Ofqual determined it was not necessary to publish the Notice of Intention.

5. On 9 April 2026, and in accordance with the settlement agreement, Cambridge OCR confirmed it had no representations to make and was content for Ofqual to proceed to final decision.

Summary of the incidents

1. 6. Cambridge OCR, recognised by Ofqual since 1 April 2010, develops, delivers and awards regulated qualifications including GCE physics.

2. 7. The AS physics qualification is a one-year standalone qualification that can contribute towards UCAS points, or learners may go on to study for the full A Level. This AS qualification includes the following assessments:

   1. a. AS Level physics A (H156/01) is described by Cambridge OCR as enabling learners to develop their understanding of fundamental physical concepts. The qualification is a one-year standalone qualification that can contribute towards UCAS points, or learners may go on to study for the full A Level.
      
      The assessment consists of 2 written papers:
      • Breadth in physics: 70 marks, 50% weighting
      • Depth in physics: 70 marks, 50% weighting.

   2. b. AS Level physics B (H157/01) is described by Cambridge OCR as enabling learners to develop their understanding of fundamental physical concepts.
      
      The assessment consists of 2 written papers:
      • Foundations of physics: 70 marks, 50% weighting
      • Physics in depth: 70 marks, 50% weighting.

3. 8. Cambridge OCR’s A Level physics qualification is a gateway to university-Level STEM study, professional apprenticeships, and a wide array of technical and analytical careers. The A Level qualification includes the following assessments:

   1. a. A Level physics A (H556/01 and H556/02) is described by Cambridge OCR as enabling learners to build on their knowledge of the laws of physics, applying their understanding to solve problems.
      
      The assessment consists of 3 written papers, with NEA (practical endorsement):
      • Modelling physics: 100 marks, weighting 37%
      • Exploring physics: 100 marks, weighting 37%
      • Unified physics: 70 marks, weighting 26%.

   2. b. A Level physics B Advancing physics (H557/01) is described by Cambridge OCR as enabling learners to explore a range of physical concepts and develop practical and investigative skills.
      
      The assessment consists of 3 written papers, with NEA (practical endorsement):
      • Fundamentals of physics: 110 marks, weighting 41%
      • Scientific literacy in physics: 100 marks, weighting 37%
      • Practical skills in physics: 60 marks, weighting 22%.

4. 9. Between 7 April and 3 October 2025, Cambridge OCR notified Ofqual of 12 assessment material errors across its AS and A Level papers, and an associated issue with their management, which ultimately impacted 40 candidates’ results.

5. 10. In summary, across the suite of papers, the following errors occurred:

   1. a. Five assessment material errors were identified pre-exam. Four errata were sent to centres prior to the delivery of the assessment to students; however, an incorrect erratum reached 32 centres. Ofqual has not seen any evidence to suggest that the incorrect erratum adversely impacted student performance.

   2. b. Five further assessment material errors were identified post-exam. Cambridge OCR mitigated the impact pre-results through marking, for example by awarding full marks for the affected question. However, one error was not resolved until after results had been issued, and its correction led to 1 result being corrected (AS Level) by 1 grade.

   3. c. Two further assessment material errors were identified post-results. One error was a mark scheme error, the second was a question error. Resolving the errors led to 36 grade increases (4 A Level and 32 AS Level) by 1 grade. Ofqual has not seen any evidence to suggest an impact on student progression.

   4. d. In addition, a 2% special consideration uplift was incorrectly applied to 82 students in relation to one of these errors, where the Adverse Effect had already been addressed through marking as outlined above. Removal of the uplift would have reduced grades for 3 students (A Level) by 1 grade, Cambridge OCR chose not to amend results to prevent an Adverse Effect on the affected students.

6. 11. The errors relating to each paper were as follows:

Paper	Number of entries	Event type
H556/01 A Level	13,278	3 Assessment Material Errors (‘AMEs’): 2 errors identified prior to delivery of the assessment and erratum issued. One mark scheme error identified post-delivery of the assessment. The mark scheme correction led to a grade increase for 4 students (by 1 grade).
H556/02 A Level	13,278	4 AMEs: 2 errors identified prior to delivery of the assessment and an erratum was issued. An incorrect erratum reached 32 centres. Ofqual has not seen any evidence to suggest an adverse impact on student performance. 2 errors identified post-delivery of the assessment. For one error, Cambridge OCR awarded full marks to all students for the question. For the second error. Ofqual has not seen any evidence to suggest an adverse impact on student performance.
H557/01 A Level	432	One AME identified prior to delivery of the assessment and erratum issued.
H156/01 AS Level	1,068	One AME identified post-delivery of the assessment. Cambridge OCR awarded full marks to all students for the affected question. This led to 32 grade increases (by 1 grade).
H157/01 AS Level	5	3 AMEs identified post-delivery of the assessment. One incorrect grade (by 1 grade).

1. 12. The root causes of the incidents related to inadequate systems of control, workforce competence and insufficient workforce capacity.

2. 13. Cambridge OCR also accepted that when issues began to emerge, there was a failure to promptly recognise the need for additional quality assurance activity on question papers.

Non-compliances

1. 14. Cambridge OCR accepted that, and Ofqual found the following Conditions of Recognition in relation to the summer 2025 physics incidents:

   1. a. Cambridge OCR introduced 12 assessment material errors when setting assessments, it therefore failed to ensure the content of each assessment was fit for purpose, contrary to General Condition G1.1(a);

   2. b. Having introduced errors during the process of setting the assessment, in 8 cases, Cambridge OCR did not identify or remedy the error before the assessment was delivered to students, consequently, the content was not fit for purpose on delivery of the assessment, contrary to General Condition G9.3(a);

   3. c. In relation to mark scheme errors, Cambridge OCR failed to produce a written document in relation to an assessment which sets out clear and unambiguous criteria against which Learners’ levels of attainment will be differentiated, contrary to General Condition G1.3;

   4. d. As a result of assessment content and mark scheme errors, Cambridge OCR issued 37 incorrect results failing to reflect the level of attainment demonstrated by the learner in the assessment, contrary to General Condition H5.1;

   5. e. In relation to the issuing of an incorrect digital erratum to centres, Cambridge OCR failed to ensure that every assessment for a qualification that it makes available is delivered effectively and efficiently, contrary to General Condition G9.1;

   6. f. In relation to the special consideration incident Cambridge OCR failed to have in place clear arrangements for Special Consideration leading to the issue of 3 incorrect results, contrary to General Conditions G7.1, H5.1 and H6.1(d);

   7. g. The root causes amounted to a failure to ensure capacity to undertake the efficient development, delivery and award of qualifications in a way that complies with its Conditions of Recognition, and a failure to take all reasonable steps to ensure that it undertakes the development, delivery and award of those qualifications efficiently, contrary to General Conditions A5.1(a) and (b) as exemplified by A5.2(a) and (e);

   8. h. The root causes amounted to a failure to take all reasonable steps to prevent the risk of assessment material errors or reducing the risk of such errors occurring as far as is possible, contrary to General Condition A6.2(a).

Regulatory action

1. 15. On 8 April 2026, Cambridge OCR signed a settlement proposal by which it:

   1. a. Agreed that it had breached its Conditions of Recognition as set out in this Notice,
   2. b. Agreed to pay a monetary penalty in the sum of £270,000 in settlement of those breaches,
   3. c. Agreed to pay Ofqual’s reasonable legal costs.

Determination of monetary penalty

1. 16. On 9 April 2026, Ofqual’s Enforcement Panel considered the evidence relating to the breaches set out above, alongside the settlement proposal presented by Cambridge OCR. The Enforcement Panel determined that Cambridge OCR has breached its Conditions of Recognition as set out above.

2. 17. The Enforcement Panel has considered the settlement proposal presented by Cambridge OCR. In determining whether or not a Monetary Penalty is an appropriate regulatory outcome in this case and if so what amount would be proportionate to impose, the Enforcement Panel has had regard to Ofqual’s Supporting compliance and taking regulatory action policy (2025).

3. 18. The Enforcement Panel notes the aggravating and mitigating factors set out below.

Aggravating factors

1. 19. The following factors, as taken from Ofqual’s Supporting Compliance and taking regulatory action policy, are relevant in this case:

   1. a. seriousness and impact of the breaches, including the direct effects the errors had on student confidence and morale, public confidence, and on system efficiency;
   2. b. the number and preventable nature of the errors;
   3. c. breaches were within the control of Cambridge OCR and arose from workforce and internal control failures;
   4. d. errors were contained in assessments delivered to over 14,000 students;
   5. e. there were 37 incorrect results, and 3 special consideration related incorrect results; and
   6. f. previous penalty imposed on Cambridge OCR in 2018.

Mitigating factors

1. 20. Cambridge OCR demonstrated regulatory co-operation. Once Cambridge OCR identified the errors, it promptly notified Ofqual and accepted non-compliance.

2. 21. Before enforcement action was contemplated, Cambridge OCR developed and began implementing an action plan based on a deep root cause analysis. The action plan indicates a strengthening of procedures and processes to reduce the risk of future breaches.

3. 22. Cambridge OCR performed a number of actions aimed at minimising impact on students, standards and public confidence.

4. 23. Ofqual has not found any evidence to show that Cambridge OCR acted intentionally in committing the breaches.

5. 24. Cambridge OCR did not benefit in any material way from the activities that were not carried out in accordance with the General Conditions.

6. 25. Cambridge OCR has engaged and co-operated fully with Ofqual during the enforcement process.

Other factors

1. 26. The Enforcement Panel has also considered:

   1. a. the need to deter Cambridge OCR and other awarding organisations from making similar failings in the future;
   2. b. the need to promote public confidence in qualifications through visible, appropriate and effective regulatory action;
   3. c. the nature and circumstances of these breaches in comparison to other breaches for which fines have been imposed by Ofqual on other awarding organisations;
   4. d. Cambridge OCR’s relative size and turnover as an awarding organisation;

Settlement

1. 27. Cambridge OCR cooperated with Ofqual’s investigation, promptly admitted the non-compliances and entered into a voluntary settlement in which it has acknowledged Ofqual’s decision in this Notice and agreed not to appeal. In light of this settlement, Ofqual has decided to impose a lower penalty than it would have done in a contested case.

Final decision

1. 28. Taking all of the above into account, the Enforcement Panel has confirmed its earlier notice of intention to accept a settlement proposal and imposes a monetary penalty in the sum of £270,000.

2. 29. The Enforcement Panel is satisfied, in accordance with section 151B of the 2009 Act, that the Monetary Penalty does not exceed 10% of Cambridge OCR’s total annual turnover.

Payment

1. 30. The monetary penalty must be paid within 28 days of the date of this notice, in accordance with the payment instructions provided with this notice.

2. 31. In the event of non-payment, interest may be charged and the outstanding amount may be recovered as a debt, in accordance with section 151D of the Act.

Appeals

1. 32. An awarding organisation may appeal to the First Tier Tribunal in respect of Ofqual’s decision to impose the monetary penalty and/or in respect of the amount of that penalty, in accordance with section 151C of the Act.

2. 33. An appeal may be made on the grounds:
   1. a) that the decision was based on an error of fact;
   2. b) that the decision was wrong in law;
   3. c) that the decision was unreasonable.
3. 34. Any appeal must be made within 28 days of the date of this notice. Further information is available from HM Courts and Tribunals Service.

Signed:

Chair of the Enforcement Panel

Date: 10 April 2026

Enforcement Panel:

Chris Paterson (Chair)

Hardip Begol CBE

Susan Barratt

Annex A: Legal provisions

Statutory powers

1. 1. Cambridge OCR is recognised as an awarding body by The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (“Ofqual”) under section 132(1) of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act, 2009 (“the 2009 Act”) and is subject to the General Conditions of Recognition (“the Conditions”) which Ofqual is required to set and publish under Section 134 of the 2009 Act.

2. 2. Under Section 151A(2) of the 2009 Act, Ofqual may impose a Monetary Penalty on an awarding body if it appears to Ofqual that the awarding body has failed to comply with its Conditions of Recognition.

3. 3. Under Section 151B(3) of the 2009 Act, the amount of any Monetary Penalty may be whatever Ofqual decides is appropriate in all the circumstances of the case, subject to Section 151B(1), which provides that Ofqual may not impose a Monetary Penalty in an amount which exceeds 10% of the awarding body’s turnover.^{[footnote 1]}

4. 4. Ofqual’s Supporting Compliance and Taking Regulatory Action Policy (2025) sets out how it will use its powers to take regulatory action, including the factors it will take into account when deciding whether to impose a Monetary Penalty and how it will determine the amount of any Monetary Penalty to be imposed.

Conditions of Recognition

1. 5. The conditions relevant to this incident are set out below.

2. 6. General Condition A5.1 and A5.2 requires:

A5.1 An awarding organisation must –

(a) ensure that it has the capacity to undertake the development, delivery and award of qualifications which it makes available, or proposes to make available, in a way that complies with its Conditions of Recognition, and
(b) take all reasonable steps to ensure that it undertakes the development, delivery and award of those qualifications efficiently.

A5.2 For the purposes of Condition A5.1, an awarding organisation must establish and maintain –

(a) arrangements which will ensure that it retains at all times a Workforce of appropriate size and competence,
(b) arrangements for the retention of data which will ensure that adequate information is available to it at all times,
(c) arrangements which will ensure that sufficient technical equipment and support is available to it at all times,
(d) appropriate management resources, and
(e) appropriate systems of planning and internal control.

1. 7. General Condition A6.2(a) requires:

A6.1 An awarding organisation must take all reasonable steps to identify the risk of the occurrence of any incident which could have an Adverse Effect.

A6.2 Where such a risk is identified, the awarding organisation must take all reasonable steps to - (a) prevent the incident from occurring or, where it cannot be prevented, reduce the risk of that incident occurring as far as is possible…

1. 8. General Condition G1.1 requires:

G1.1 In setting an assessment for a qualification which it makes available, an awarding organisation must ensure that the content of the assessment is –

(a) fit for purpose,
(b) appropriate for the method of assessment chosen, and
(c) consistent with the specification for that qualification.

1. 9. General Condition G1.3 requires:

G1.3 An awarding organisation must produce a written document in relation to an assessment which sets out clear and unambiguous criteria against which Learners’ levels of attainment will be differentiated.

1. 10. General Condition G9.1 requires:

G9.1 An awarding organisation must ensure that every assessment for a qualification that it makes available is delivered effectively and efficiently.

1. 11. General Condition G9.3 requires:

G9.3 An awarding organisation must ensure that, on delivery of every assessment for a qualification that it makes available, the content of the assessment:

(a) is fit for purpose,…

1. 12. General Condition H5.1 requires:

H5.1 An awarding organisation must ensure that the result of each assessment taken by a Learner in relation to a qualification which the awarding organisation makes available reflects the level of attainment demonstrated by that Learner in the assessment.

1. 13. General Condition H6.1(d) requires:

H6.1 An awarding organisation must, in relation to any qualification which it makes available –

(a)….,
(b)….,
(c).…,
(d) issue results which accurately and completely reflect the marking of assessments (including the outcome of any Centre Assessment Standards Scrutiny and any other quality assurance process),….

1. The turnover of an awarding organisation is determined in accordance with Regulations 3 and 4 of the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Determination of Turnover for Monetary Penalties) Order 2012/1768 (as in force from 6 July 2012). ↩