An exam system under strain: Why Digital Assessment cannot be ignored

Digital assessment provides opportunities to rethink how we measure achievement, with flexibility at its heart. Traditional exams tied to rigid summer timetables disadvantage many learners, whether through sweltering exam halls, the peak of hayfever season, or the well-documented attainment gap faced by summer-born children. By contrast, digital assessment can give students the chance to take exams when they are ready, not just when the calendar dictates. Linked with formative assessment, this approach supports steady progression by allowing learners to build confidence and demonstrate mastery at the right time for them.

Digital assessment also has the potential to improve resit outcomes by removing the barriers that hold learners back. Allowing students to sit exams when they are ready, rather than being tied to rigid June and November dates. Adaptive testing tailors questions to a learner’s level, providing a fairer and more accurate measure of progress, while blended human and AI marking delivers faster results and more consistent feedback. Together, these innovations can break the cycle of repeated failure, helping students to build confidence, demonstrate achievement and move forward with their education or career.

Another area where digital assessment is already showing promise is essay marking. Advances in artificial intelligence can now support human examiners and speed up the marking process. Crucially, this is not about replacing human judgement but enhancing it. A blended approach, where AI provides efficiency and consistency and human markers bring professional insight and contextual understanding, can deliver fairer and faster results.

Patrick Coates, CEO of the e-Assessment Association, said: “We cannot continue with a system that forces thousands of young people to sit the same exams over and over again with little chance of success. Digital assessment provides an opportunity to rethink how we measure achievement, offering more flexibility, more fairness and better outcomes for learners.”

Fundamental reform is overdue. The Francis review offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rethink both curriculum and assessment. If we build digital assessment into this vision, we can move away from a model that demoralises learners and drains resources, towards one that reflects real skills, builds confidence and supports lifelong learning.

Young people deserve better than to be trapped in a system where failure is predictable for so many. We know the current approach does not work. We know there are proven alternatives. The only question now is whether we have the courage to change.

Read our article Is Results Day Broken? Why Exams Must Finally Enter the Digital Age

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.

Individuals can join the eAA for free – find out more here.