Balancing caution and progress | The future of digital assessment

As Ofqual’s consultation on regulating on-screen assessment concludes, the conversation has moved beyond whether we should transition to digital, focusing instead on how quickly and extensively we should do so. While the regulator’s ‘controlled’ approach is rooted in protecting fairness and stability, many in the sector are calling for a more ambitious roadmap to ensure the system keeps pace with the students it serves.

Perspectives on the pace of change

AQA has been a key voice in this discussion, recently suggesting that while "rational caution is wise," excessive restrictions could inadvertently restrain momentum. They pointed to the proposal of a two-subject limit for initial digital exams as a hurdle that might prevent exam boards from building the robust evidence base needed to grow public confidence. Their stance is about advocating for a steady move toward a system that reflects the 21st-century skills students use daily.

The e-Assessment Association (eAA) echoes this sentiment, framing digital assessment as essential rather than experimental. They highlight that secure, large-scale digital assessment is already a reality in many global education systems, including Singapore and New Zealand. For the eAA, the focus is on a decisive implementation roadmap that moves beyond pilots to ensure exams remain relevant to learners' futures.

The candidate at the centre

At RM Assessment, our candidate experience campaign seeks to bring the conversation back to the person sitting the exam. The debate over regulatory speed is necessary, but it must be balanced against the lived experience of the student.

We believe that a candidate-first approach focuses on:

• Using tools that reflect real-world tasks, moving away from the friction of pen and paper for students who are digital natives.
• Digital platforms that integrate accessibility features naturally, rather than as separate ‘extra’ arrangements, creating a more level playing field.
• Aligning how students are tested with how they learn, to significantly reduce exam-day stress.

A collaborative path forward

The challenge for the sector is to find the sweet spot between Ofqual’s duty to maintain standards and the exam boards' drive for innovation. It is not about an all or nothing shift, but about building confidence through doing. By focusing on the candidate experience, we can ensure that the transition to digital is not just a technological shift, but an evolution in fairness and relevance.

Find out how other parts of the world are embracing a digital-first exam experience today >