The e-Assessment Association responds to the UK Government's Curriculum and Assessment Review: Digital assessment is not experimental, it is essential

The e-Assessment Association (eAA) has today responded to the publication of the UK Government's Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report, expressing disappointment at the continued lack of urgency around digital assessment reform in England's education system.

While the eAA welcomes the report's recognition of the potential benefits of on-screen assessment, its recommendation that the Department for Education and Ofqual should 'continue to explore potential for innovation in on-screen assessment' represents a missed opportunity to modernise the UK's assessment system.

Patrick Coates, CEO of the e-Assessment Association, said: "This review was commissioned in July 2024. Over a year later, we're still talking about the 'potential for innovation' rather than committing to real implementation. Every year we delay, our assessment system falls further behind what is already proven and possible elsewhere. Digital assessment is not experimental - it's a trusted, scalable and fairer way to assess learners.
"Countries such as New Zealand have a digital first approach to assessment and have been offering students the opportunity to take national exams online since 2015. Where the transition to digital assessment takes place this is linked to improved candidate experience and satisfaction. In addition, the report Learner Experience: Now and Opinions about the Future by RM found that 59% of learners prefer digital assessment (compared to just 22% for pen & paper) and 64% of learners were more likely to choose a course if assessed digitally."

Moving beyond the status quo
At the eAA we believe that continuing with handwritten exams is not tradition. It is neglect.
As the professional body spanning both education and employment sectors, the eAA advocates for assessment that is fair, accessible and relevant to learners' futures. Digital approaches, when properly implemented, reduce burden without compromising quality, while better reflecting the real-world skills that young people need. In the workplace, assessment is becoming more flexible, embedded, and skills-focused. Education should be learning from that shift, not lagging behind it.
In almost every modern workplace, digital tools are the norm. Yet in our schools and exam halls, handwritten responses remain the default. This disconnect makes exams less relevant, less inclusive, and less able to capture the range of skills learners will need in life beyond education.

Fairness and accessibility for every learner
The report recognises that the current system does not work well for all students. Digital assessment has the power to make education fairer and more inclusive. By design, it can integrate accessibility features ensuring that learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can access the same assessments as their peers without needing separate arrangements. It also allows questions to be personalised to a learner's pace and ability, providing a more accurate measure of what they know and can do. The result is a system that levels the playing field, removes unnecessary barriers and reflects the principle that fairness in assessment begins with accessibility by default, not exception.

A hybrid future - combining technology and human expertise
Human expertise in marking is invaluable, but the current system is stretched to breaking point. Every year, exam boards struggle to recruit and retain markers and, despite standardisation, inconsistencies remain.
Digital platforms can address these issues by automating routine marking, flagging anomalies and generating enhanced reporting and real-time feedback for learners. Human oversight ensures a focus on interpretation, creativity and nuance. Done well, AI and human judgement together create a system that is both smarter and more just. Our current work demonstrates that AI is effective and accurate when used for essay marking as well as simpler questions.

Real-world examples show what is already possible
Digital assessment is already being delivered in high stakes environments at scale around the world:
• The Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) undertook a large-scale transformation to modernise its examination delivery infrastructure. Working with Excelsoft Technologies assessments include coursework, oral assessment, assessment using multi-media interactive items as well as a language proficiency testing at scale.
• Spain's Valencian Community (Generalitat Valenciana) undertook a major digital transformation migrating from paper-based assessments to a fully digital platform using to over 110,000 students across 1,736 schools working with Open Assessment Technologies.
• The Tokyo Metropolitan Government transitioned to large scale test delivery of speaking tests in Japan. Tata Consultancy Services was the technology partner for the British Council's ESAT-J assessment programme delivering the English-speaking audio test to 240,000 candidates.
• Ontario's Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) replaced paper-based tests with shorter, more student-friendly e-assessments designed to improved maths performance. Introduced at the time of a new curriculum, this substantial enhancements to assessment reporting to inform teaching and improve student achievement.
• AQA's Stride Maths supports students to make progress in maths. The diagnostic tests quickly identify gaps in a student's understanding of fundamental maths concepts. These provide teachers with immediate feedback and actionable insights to provide targeted support to students.
• British Council Primary English Test is designed for students aged Students aged 9-12. The digital multimodal tasks that assess independent and integrated English oral and literacy skills with test scores available instantly to teachers on submission of the test.
• Duolingo developed a robust, cost effective and scalable item bank generation solution for high stakes Computerized Adaptive Testing for Duolingo English Test.

These are just a few examples of global innovation and best practice, based on the most recent International e-Assessment Award winners and finalists. Secure, inclusive, and large-scale digital assessment is already happening, reliably and successfully. in education systems around the world.

The opportunities we must seize
We welcome the report's proposal for diagnostic assessment in Year 8 Maths and English to identify learning needs before Key Stage 4, as well as the recommendation for new Level 1 stepped qualifications in post-16 Maths and English to support learners' progression.
Both offer a significant opportunity to introduce and embed digital assessment to improve outcomes and reduce barriers for learners retaking core subjects.

Our call for action
Digital assessment is already proven. It can enhance equity, reduce burdens on students and teachers and ensure that qualifications remain relevant to the skills employers value. The e-Assessment Association urges the Government to move beyond pilots and discussion and commit to a clear implementation roadmap for digital assessment across secondary education.
The question is no longer if we adopt digital assessment but when we have the courage to embrace it.

The e-Assessment Association, c/o AlphaPlus, c/o AQA Education Ltd, Devas Street, Manchester. M15 6EX
Press contact: Tracey Shrimpton, pr@e-assessment.com

The e-Assessment Association plays a vital role in bringing together a global community of awarding organisations, assessment providers, technology experts, academics, and educational institutions dedicated to advancing the field of digital assessment. By fostering collaboration across these diverse stakeholders, we create a unique platform to share expertise, insights, and best practices that drive innovation and address the evolving needs of the assessment landscape.

This extensive network of professionals equips the eAA with a deep understanding of assessment technologies and their applications, enabling us to address complex challenges such as ethical considerations, accessibility, and the rapid pace of technological evolution. As digital assessment becomes more central to education and professional qualifications, our role in shaping this transformation ensures that it remains inclusive, equitable, and aligned with the highest standards of integrity.

Central to our mission is the eAA's unwavering commitment to fostering confidence and trust in digital assessments. This includes addressing critical issues like data security, ensuring assessments are accessible to all learners, and building frameworks that inspire trust among stakeholders. By creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration, we help guide the global assessment community toward solutions that not only meet today's demands but also anticipate future challenges, ensuring that digital assessments are secure, fair, and impactful for learners worldwide.

This release was published on openPR.