Where there are more crews entering the Bumps than there are places on the River, the lowest crews must compete for places in the Getting-On Race. Crews are removed from the lowest division such that there is one place available in the Bumps for every two crews competing in the Getting-On Race. Crews are timed from the Little Bridge to the finishing post 78 yards downstream of the Railway Bridge and the fastest will qualify for places in the Bumps.

The Getting-On Race for the May Bumps 2012 took place on Friday 8th June.

Men's Crews (Division 6)

The following crews qualified for places in Division 6:

1. Clare V
2. Robinson IV
3. Homerton III
4. Queens' VI
5. Emmanuel V
6. First and Third VI
7. Darwin III
8. Corpus Christi IV

Times for non-qualifying crews are shown below.

Women's Crews (Division 4)

The following crews qualified for places in Division 4:

1. Clare III
2. Trinity Hall III
3. Murray Edwards III
4. Robinson II
5. Lady Margaret III
6. Sidney Sussex III

Times for non-qualifying crews are shown below.