Script verification

Script verification

What is script verification?

Before you begin marking, you must verify that you have received the full set of test scripts from each school. It is important that you accurately complete this exercise for all test scripts you receive as soon as possible so that any missing scripts can be chased immediately.

I have received my delivery of scripts - now what do I do?

Once you have received your scripts you will need to verify them.

1. On your computer please go to the Making a mark website on www.makingamark.org.uk.

2. Click on the "Online marker applications" icon and enter your username and password to log in. You will then be taken to the "Marker links" screen.

3. Click on the "Online mark capture" link, then click on the "Verify scripts" link. This will take you to the "Script verification" section where you can begin your script verification.

If you need further guidance on script verification activity, please contact your supervisor or refer to your Making a mark online - applications user guide.

I have received a script for a pupil who is marked as absent on the script verification screen.

Please select 'Yes' in the 'Paper received column', on the script verification screen. Then, please enter marks as normal and submit your marks once you have completed marking all the received scripts for pupils in the school.

I have received papers for one or more pupil(s) who are not listed in the script verification screen.

Please contact the marker helpdesk. The marker helpdesk will cross reference the school’s attendance register to determine why the pupil’s name is missing. If we need to contact the school, please note that the turnaround for resolution can take a few days but we will notify you as soon as it is resolved. In the meantime, please do the following so that you can keep marking without interruption:

1. Go ahead and submit your script verification for that school and paper after contacting the helpdesk, even if the pupil’s name has not yet been added.

2. Mark the scripts that you have received and capture these marks online. Please note that you can capture marks in this way without submitting them for the school, and it will not impact your ability to be triggered for benchmarking and payment.

3. Continue capturing marks online but do NOT submit the marks for this school until the pupil appears on your script verification screen.

4. When the pupil is added to your script verification list, you will then need to resubmit the script verification for that paper, capture marks for this pupil, and then submit the school when it is complete.

I don’t have all the scripts for every school in my allocation, should I complete script verification?

You can complete and submit script verification for the schools you have a complete allocation for. As soon as you have completed script allocation for a school, you can begin to mark the scripts for that school and capture marks online.

If you have not received all of the scripts in a school allocation, you can begin script verification for the scripts you have received and click 'Save', this allows you to go back later to complete script verification when the additional scripts have been delivered. It is very important you do not click 'Submit' until you have received the entire set of scripts for a school and completed script verification.

What do I do if I have scripts for pupils in a school allocation but their names are not listed on the script verification screen?

Some markers maybe unable to complete script verification for an entire school as some attendance registers are incomplete. This may have occurred as some schools failed to complete their attendance registers prior to the beginning of marking. Please contact the marker helpdesk on 0870 1614529 or email markers@testoperations.org.uk so this can be investigated, more information can be found on the marker update.

I am missing scripts for pupils who are listed in my script verification screen and I am expecting another delivery for this school.

On your script verification screen, mark the ‘Paper received’ column as ‘No’ for the papers you have not received. Once you have completed this, press the submit button. You can now begin marking the scripts you have received and capturing the marks online. This will not impact your ability to be triggered for benchmarking or payment.

When you receive your additional delivery of missing scripts, contact the marker helpdesk. They will update the ‘Paper received’ column for you. Once the helpdesk has submitted the script verification changes, you may capture marks for these pupils online.

I have entered marks for a school and paper, however I cannot submit their marks.

Please contact the marker helpdesk. The most likely cause of this problem is that you have some papers which you have indicated you have not received and our system shows that these pupils were present. Each missing paper will be investigated and cross-checked with the school’s attendance register. Once we are satisfied that these scripts are correctly missing, we will unlock the submit button so you can submit your marks. In the meantime, please continue marking your remaining consignment. This will not have any impact on your ability to capture marks, trigger benchmarking or payment. We will notify you when the issue has been resolved.

I have received too many scripts, what should I do?

If you receive more scripts than specified in your contract and you have not requested additional scripts, please contact the helpdesk on 0870 1614529 and we will arrange for these to be collected.

I have the wrong scripts. What do I do?

If you have received the wrong scripts please call the marker helpdesk on 0870 1614529 or email markers@testoperations.org.uk to arrange a collection and redelivery with UPS.

Can I begin marking before verifying my scripts online?

You can mark a maximum of 80 (100 for KS3 English) scripts on paper, before you first attempt at benchmarking. It is important that you do not mark more than this prior to benchmarking as you will not be paid for scripts marked outside of the 80 (100 for KS3 English) you need to mark to trigger benchmarking.

Is there a script verification user guide to help me with this process?

The guide for script verification is in Making your mark online - applications user guide, which was included in your Marker pack.

I have received modified large print (MLP) test scripts. What do I do?

If you receive modified large print test scripts, you will be required to mark them. However, to mark these script you will need further guidance provided in the Modified large print pack. This pack will be sent out to all markers who receive MLP scripts to mark. If you do not receive the pack, please contact the marker helpdesk on 0870 1614529 or email markers@testoperations.org.uk.

I received a damaged test script envelope. What do I do?

If the content of the envelope is intact, please continue with script verification and then marking, as normal. If the contents has been tampered with then please contact your supervising marker immediately.

I have received a reallocation from another marker. How should I verify these scripts?

You will need to perform the script verification process in the exact same way that you did for your original script consignment. For detailed guidance on how to verify your scripts please refer to your Making your mark online - applications user guide.

What if I have an unused subject label sheet?

If you have unused subject label sheets, please post these back to ETS Europe, Supply chain department, 54 Clarendon Road, Watford, Herts. WD17 1DU.

I cannot find or use the perforation to open the envelope my scripts are delivered in. What do I do?

If you cannot use the perforation, cut open the envelope open making sure you do not damage the 'Subject label' or the scripts. Once you have done this successfully, continue with script verification and marking. When you are ready to return your marked scripts, you can reuse the same envelope using tape to securely seal it. Please ensure the 'Subject label' is clear and visible. You can also call the marker helpdesk on 0870 1614529 or email markers@testoperations.org.uk to arrange for a clear overwrap envelope to be sent to you. Use this envelope to re-package your scripts for collection.

I have made an error on the script verification. Can ETS fix the error for me?

If you have saved or submitted your script verification you can fix any errors yourself. If you need more assistance please call the marker helpdesk on 0870 1614529 or email markers@testoperations.org.uk.

Should I verify the scripts already marked by a previous marker?

Yes. You will need to perform the script verification process in the exact same way that you did for your original script consignment. For detailed guidance on how to verify your scripts please refer to your Making your mark online - applications user guide.

I received a Java error when trying to submit marks online. What do I do now?

If get you a Java error whilst attempting to capture marks online this is because additional pupil information has been added to the script verification screen. If you receive an error message when you try to access online mark capture, please use the following steps to resolve this issue:

1. Open your script verification for all schools you have previously verified.

2. Look for any new students who may have been added since you submitted your verification. You will be able to identify these students because you will be able to edit them, whereas the students you previously verified will be greyed out.

3. Complete script verification for these new students in the normal way.

4. Submit the revised script verification.

5. Complete these steps for all schools you had previously verified.