Those centres who regularly update the software on their school IT networks may now be using Word 2007 as their word-processing package.

Unfortunately, this newer version of Word produces documents which are illegible to people whose computers run earlier versions of Word. This has caused problems with the coursework consultancy service this year, as the Moderators performing the consultancy have been unable to open the documents.

Centres are advised that, if their candidates are using Word 2007, the work should be saved as an earlier format e.g. Word 2003, using the “Save as…” function.

If there are pressing reasons for using Word 2007, in terms of vital formatting which cannot be achieved using an earlier version of Word, then centres may choose to retain Word 2007 as the format for these pieces of work. However, they should be prepared, should the Moderator be unable to read a Word 2007 document, to re-send the work to the Moderator in a readable form.