Digital Exams

Let’s make it happen: The case for digital exams

AQA has published a new report outlining why now is the right time to start moving towards digital exams in some subjects. Making It Click: The case for digital examinations in England argues that far from being a revolutionary move, moving some exams off paper and onto the computer screen is the latest evolution in education in the same way that fountain pens replaced quills and scrolls morphed into printed books. In this blog, Adam Steedman-Thake, AQA’s Policy and Evidence Manager, gives the highlights of his report. He outlines the research that informed AQAs position and shows the benefits of digitally examining some subjects for learners, teachers and the education sector as a whole.

Date19/10/23

AuthorAdam Steedman Thake

Digital exams reflect the way students learn and helps develops future workplace skills

Effectively delivered, well-designed assessments are crucial for students to demonstrate what they have learned and what they can do.

At AQA, we believe that now is the right time to start transitioning towards fully digital exams in some subjects which is why we have published our report Making it Click: The case for digital exams in England.

We came to this conclusion after years of academic research, talking to students, parents, educators and the general population.

The potential opportunities digital exams offer are huge. But we are aware of the need to move at a sensible, well-considered pace.

While paper-based exams are still useful assessment tools, and will remain in use for some time, the range of media available today means we should broaden methods accordingly.

Continuing to use tools that have remained pretty much unchanged for a century while the world evolves means the benefits of an increasingly digital education system remain untapped.

So what are the reasons for moving to digital exams?

Digital exams are better preparation for the real world

Digital assessments offer an opportunity for students to solve more authentic problems that are closer to tasks they will do in the outside world. This will make them more equipped to be a part of our digitally connected world.

Digitising exams presents an opportunity to increase assessment authenticity making them closer to future work experiences as well as developing skills and knowledge required after formal education.

Digital exams are more inclusive

Digital exams are already used to help assess students with additional needs.

More than 114,000 computer readers or readers were approved for use in 2021/22. Moving exams on-screen means more students who need assistive technologies – such as the hearing or visually impaired - can get them.

Digital exams are more environmentally sustainable

AQA works hard to ensure our exams are sustainable, but the fact remains that millions of exam papers need transporting across the country every exam season.

With energy coming from increasingly green sources, digitising exams could cut our carbon footprint and environmental impact.

The longer term benefits

The benefits of digital exams already outlined can be realised in a relatively short amount of time. But they are also a gateway to a suite of longer-term benefits.

Adaptive, flexible assessments

Online adaptive assessments feed questions to the student tailored to their knowledge level. Correctly answered questions lead to more complex ones and vice versa. This can provide finely tuned feedback on their ability.

Increased efficiency and reduced teacher workloads

Digital assessments have tremendous potential to reduce teacher workload. Digital devices can auto-mark work and provide personalised insights on student strengths and weaknesses.

Improved resilience

Electronic examinations can be more secure by reducing the need for paper handling. They can also help flag up plagiarism more easily. Obviously, any digital system is vulnerable to hacking. We are acutely aware of the need for robust and secure IT infrastructure to ensure stability and reliability.

Implementation considerations and mitigations

There are of course many things to consider to ensure implementing digital exams is a success.

We need to make sure that no students are disadvantaged by prior access to laptops or digital devices.

There are also considerations around the infrastructure needed to deliver exams in schools – put simply, schools need electronic devices for students to sit digital exams.

We also realise the need to take an evolutionary approach, not a revolutionary one, and allow sufficient time for these changes to take place without rushing.

We are acutely aware of all of these factors and will be working hard to mitigate any risks as we move forwards.

Moving to a fully digital exam system is right for students and right for the education system.

As the nation’s leading exam board, we are profoundly aware of the immense responsibility that comes with making digital exams a success for the candidates, their teachers, and the education system.

We look forward to taking the next step in evolving our examination system and will be working closely teachers and students to make it a success.

To try out our demo online exam click here

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Let’s make it happen: The case for digital exams

Digital exams are better preparation for the real world

Digital exams are more inclusive

Digital exams are more environmentally sustainable

The longer term benefits

Adaptive, flexible assessments

Increased efficiency and reduced teacher workloads

Improved resilience

Implementation considerations and mitigations

What can this year’s GCSE entries tell us to look for in tomorrow’s results?

A-level maths students hit six figures – what’s behind its popularity?

What comes after ‘urgent’ for the new Education Secretary?

Labour’s oracy plans: They need clear goals

Through the looking glass: How polling the public can help policymakers learn about themselves

Assessing oracy: Is Comparative Judgement the answer?

TV subtitles as an aid to literacy: What does the research say?

What is left behind now education’s Data Wave has receded?

Finland & PISA – A fall from grace but still a high performer?

PISA, TIMSS and PIRLS: What actually are they and what do they tell us?

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