Ofqual Consultation: Regulating on-screen assessment

Ofqual has launched a consultation on proposals for how on-screen assessment should be regulated in GCSEs, AS and A levels in England proposing a controlled approach to further adoption of on-screen assessment in GCSE, AS and A level qualifications. Ofqual are also seeking views on how these proposals might apply to vocational and technical qualifications, where on-screen assessment is already more widely used.

The controlled approach is defined by the following proposals:

• Introduction of specific regulations for on-screen assessment: Ending the current permissive approach to on-screen assessment, by changing the default to not allowing on-screen assessment.
• Controlled entry: Each exam board may submit proposals for up to 2 new on-screen specifications, subject to Ofqual accreditation.
• High-entry subject restriction: In line with the Secretary of State’s steer, on-screen assessment will not be permitted in the highest-entry subjects (those with over 100,000 entries nationally).
  Separate specifications: On-screen and paper-based assessments must be offered as separate specifications, with substantially different questions for each – both to secure transparency and enable standards to be maintained – and will require accreditation.

Alongside these proposals for a controlled approach, Ofqual are also consulting on the following proposals to ensure a coherent approach to the regulation of on-screen assessment:

• Accepting the risks of on-screen only specifications: Exam boards will not be required to offer a paper-based alternative alongside any new on-screen specification.
• Expectations for platforms and devices: Ofqual will set clear expectations for on-screen assessment platforms and devices to support consistency and secure delivery, without mandating a single assessment platform.
• No use of students’ personal devices: Students’ own personal devices (such as their own laptops) will not be permitted for on-screen assessments for GCSEs, AS or A levels, though devices used for on-screen assessments may be used for teaching and learning.
• Application to vocational and technical qualifications: Ofqual is also seeking views on how the guiding principles might apply to vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs), where on-screen assessment is already more established.

The consultation closes on Thursday 5 March 2025 at 11:59pm. Subject to the outcome of this consultation, detailed rules and guidance will follow in 2026.

Read more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/regulating-on-screen-assessment/regulating-on-screen-assessment

Respond to the consultation here: https://ofqual.citizenspace.com/public/regulating-on-screen-assessments/