New options for Weighted aggregate values

The Weighted aggregate value award rule returns a weighted aggregate score based on the number of credits achieved at each level. This existing rule has been extended to accept two additional optional parameters as follows:

• thisLevelOrHigher - whether to count credits at higher level than specified. If not specified, a value of False is used - so only credits at the specified level are considered.

• reuseOutcomes - whether to re-use outcome results to get the weighted average. If not specified a value of True is used - so outcome results can be re-used.

To be confirmed

Two new fields added to curriculum details

Two new fields have been added to Curriculum Details to allow customers to create a connection between the curriculum and exams in Markbook. The new fields are as follows:

• Exam code has been added to the UI (Unit Instance).

• Board occurrence has been added to the UIO (Unit Instance Occurrence).

Note that the fields have also been added to the existing APIs for UI and UIO.

To be confirmed

Funding model updates for T-levels

The Curriculum Planner funding model has been updated to reflect the latest funding rate changes for T-levels from the government.

For more information on the specific funding rate changes, go to 16 to 19 funding: information for 2025 to 2026.

To be confirmed

Additional warning shown when merging staff

The de-duplication screen now shows an extra warning if either of the selected people to be merged are also a member of staff to prevent an unintentional merge operation.

To be confirmed

SCO Forecast first grade is now editable in grid for exam entries

The Forecast first grade field can now be edited and flood filled in Exams Manager > Exam Entries grid.

To be confirmed

SCO SQA exams import updates

The SQA exams import process now supports the import file type for SQA core skills and core skill mapping.

To be confirmed

SMTP OAuth authentication

To support SMTP authentication using OAuth through Microsoft Exchange Online or Office 365, institution settings have been updated as follows:

Existing institution settings

Previously, SMTP-related institution settings were located under General (Cross-System). These settings have now been moved to Email SMTP. The settings are as follows:

• Default email address preference

• From email address

• From email display name

• Reply To email address

• Reply To email display name

• Email button behaviour

• SMTP mail server for sending emails

• SMTP mail server port

• SMTP mail server uses SSL

• SMTP mail server username

• SMTP mail server password

• Basic Authentication (default)

• OAuth

• Client Secret

• Certificate Password

New institution settings

New SMTP-related institution settings that have been added to Email SMTP are as follows:

• SMTP application authentication type

• SMTP application credential type - This settings only applies for OAuth authentication type.

• SMTP application directory tenant ID - This settings only applies for OAuth authentication type.

• SMTP application registration client ID - This settings only applies for OAuth authentication type.

• SMTP application OAuth permissions scopes - This settings only applies for OAuth authentication type.

• SMTP application certificate blob ID - This is a hidden institution setting used for the upload of valid certificate.

• SMTP application certificate password - This is a hidden institution setting used for the upload of valid certificate.

Microsoft Office 365 SMTP supports two OAuth authentication credential types, which can be selected using an ebs institution setting:

Client Secret

Populate the SMTP mail server password institution setting with the client secret generated from the registered application.

Certificate Password

Upload a valid certificate using the new SMTP certificate upload options in ebs: central > Options > SMTP.

Note that the upload requires a valid private key certificate and its corresponding password.

Note that to use SMTP authentication with OAuth via Microsoft Exchange Online or Office 365, you must register an application in Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD). The registered application must be granted the necessary permissions to enable email sending.

For more information, go to Authenticate an IMAP, POP or SMTP connection using OAuth.

To be confirmed

AFD institution settings update

The following AFD Institution Settings have been renamed:

• AFD UK Dynamic Search User ID (Ontrack) renamed to AFD User ID.

• AFD UK Dynamic Search Token (Ontrack) renamed to AFD Token.

• AFD Dynamic Search URL (Ontrack) renamed to AFD API URL.

A new AFD Institution setting dropdown, AFD Authentication, has been added to control how ebs authenticates with AFD. The following options can be selected:

• Serial Number and Password (default)

• User ID and Token

To be confirmed

ePayments new institution setting

An institution setting Enable Ontrack MOTO Payments has been added to the ePayments (Staff) section. This institution setting must be set to Y (Yes) to enable staff to take MOTO payments in ontrack Hub.

To be confirmed

New institution setting for exams sync

A new setting, Sync Grades to Exams in Markbook Verification Grid, has been added to the institution settings for Markbook. When enabled, this setting allows staff with the Sync grades to Exams role to sync exam grades from Markbook Verification.

ebs5 Institution Settings

New Institution settings have been introduced to support ebs5.

Authentication settings to configure the 3rd party external authentication provider:

• OIDC Client id

• OIDC Issuer URL

• OIDC ebs5 Issuer configuration

General settings to control links from ontrack

• ebs5 application URL

• ebs5 enabled

Security

• Cross origin resource sharing URL's

To be confirmed

When a learner is created in ebs: central cannot be left blank

The Unconfirmed field is now non-nullable with a default value of N applied to records that are created in ebs: central.

To be confirmed

Grade mapping enhancement between Markbook and Exams Manager

To ensure consistency in grade formatting between Markbook Verification and Exams Manager, a new mapping feature has been introduced in reference data.

Grades often differ in format across features. For example, Pass appears as PA in Markbook but P in Exams Manager. This enhancement allows staff to map Markbook grades to their corresponding Exams grades using the Grading Scheme reference data.

A new column has been added to the Grades section, enabling staff to select multiple equivalent Exams grades for each Markbook grade. This is achieved via a multi-select popup, accessible through a link in each row. Selected grades will display in the new column and can be edited at any time.