Exam board to offer pupils on-screen English GCSEs by next summer

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An examination board is providing pupils the prospect to be assessed digitally of their GCSE English exams from next yr.

Pearson, which runs examination board Edexcel, is aiming for GCSE college students to give you the chance to sit on-screen exams within the core topic by summer 2025, in the event that they select to accomplish that.

Up to 125,000 college students within the UK may have the choice to take Edexcel’s GCSE English language and English literature exams on-screen for the primary time.

The examination board’s on-screen GCSEs in English – which might be assessed in summer next yr – are topic to regulatory approval by Ofqual.

Pearson Edexcel hopes to give you the chance to offer an on-screen choice for all GCSEs by 2030 to improve accessibility for college students, in addition to different advantages.

This is a pivotal second for on-screen evaluation within the UK

Sharon Hague, managing director for Pearson Schools

The examination board stated it has seen extra college students utilizing phrase processing for his or her responses to GCSE examination questions, as a part of entry preparations.

Sharon Hague, managing director for Pearson Schools, stated: “This is a pivotal moment for on-screen assessment in the UK. For the first time, in summer 2025, students will be able to sit an exam in a core subject fully on-screen if they choose to do so.

“We’ve heard loud and clear from students and teachers that they want a choice in how they take exams. That is why we’ll offer both on-screen and paper-based exam options.”

Students who take Pearson Edexcel’s GCSE in pc science are already assessed partially on-screen and the examination board has begun rolling out digital assessments for its worldwide GCSEs.

This would be the first time that the primary English GCSEs might be provided on-screen.

Ms Hague added: “On-screen is a better experience for students who need accessibility adjustments. Students can zoom in to increase font size and choose colour filters on-screen during exams, something their schools or college would otherwise need to request in advance of their exams.

“On-screen brings benefits for all students too. They can highlight and annotate information, cut and paste text and make easy edits to their answers. It’s what many students are used to doing when they work at home and in the classroom, and it’s undoubtedly how they will work in their careers too.”

The transfer in the direction of on-line evaluation is constructive and overdue, however doesn’t come with out challenges

Geoff Barton, normal secretary of ASCL

Schools will nonetheless have the choice to offer paper-based exams, in addition to on-screen assessments, below the examination board’s plans.

It comes as numerous the UK’s main examination boards have taken steps in the direction of digital evaluation.

Last month, examination board OCR introduced it will offer a digitally-assessed GCSE in pc science for pupils beginning their course in 2025.

Meanwhile, examination board AQA is aiming to roll out on-screen exams over a interval of years and it hopes that college students will sit at the least one main topic digitally by 2030.

The studying and listening elements of GCSE Italian and Polish could be the primary to transfer to digital exams in 2026, in accordance to the proposals by AQA.

Geoff Barton, normal secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), stated: “It is encouraging that exam boards are continuing to explore new forms of digital assessment.

“It’s clear that an examination system that relies purely on pen-and-paper testing is outdated and we know that many students and their teachers will welcome the opportunity to provide typed answers.

“As well as being more accessible for some students, digital exam papers should prove simpler to mark, easier to transport and hopefully less expensive to administer.”

He added: “The move towards online assessment is positive and overdue, but does not come without challenges – including the ongoing disadvantage gap between those who may have more access to technology at home and therefore more familiarity with its demands.

“It’s vital that schools are clearly guided through this process and have the necessary resources to put in place the digital infrastructure they need to deliver online exams going forward.”

Steve Rollett, deputy chief government on the Confederation of School Trusts (CST), stated “On-screen assessment appears to have the potential to support students, especially those with particular needs, who might struggle to access traditional paper exams.

“We hope this development will support children while retaining the overall integrity of the exam system.”

An Ofqual spokesperson stated: “Ofqual is committed to supporting well-evidenced innovation in how examinations are taken. Above all, it is critical that examinations are both accessible and fair to all students taking them.

“We will evaluate in detail Pearson’s proposals when they are submitted for review. Our priority will be making sure their approach is fair to all students, whether they take their GCSE on screen or continue to do so on paper.”

A Department for Education (DfE) spokesperson stated: “The Department and Ofqual are taking time to understand the opportunities and implications of digital assessment to inform any decisions about the future of on-screen assessments.

“As the independent regulator of qualifications in England, Ofqual requires that any GCSE or A-level moving on-screen will be subject to regulatory approval.”

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