Some GCSE and A-level exams may very well be taken on laptops by 2030 after pupils complained of writing fatigue as a result of their hand muscle tissue ‘aren’t robust sufficient’
GCSE and A-level exams could be taken on laptops by as early as 2030, after pupils complained of writing fatigue because their hand muscles ‘aren’t strong enough’.
Exams watchdog, Ofqual, is launching a three-month public consultation about the introduction of on-screen assessments as teachers say pupils who habitually use keyboards have ‘lost handwriting stamina’.
Under the proposals, exam boards will not be able to put forward on-screen exams in subjects taken by more than 100,000 pupils in a year.
This means some GCSE exams in smaller-entry subjects, including some languages and in any A-level exams except maths, could move onto screens from around 2030.
Speaking to the Guardian, Ofqual chief regulator Sir Ian Bauckham said: ‘You do hear people say: “I don’t handwrite very much so my handwriting is poor” or “I feel I can’t hold the pen for long enough” or “My hand muscles are not strong enough”.’
Under the proposals, Ofqual will ask four exam boards to put forward two new specifications, each to include an on-screen assessment component rather than the traditional pen and paper.
So if accepted, a total of eight new GCSE, AS or A-level exams with at least one component assessed digitally could be in place by as early as 2030.
Concerns have been raised over the fairness of the new proposals as the technological capabilities of schools across the country varies, with schools expected to provide the infrastructure for the new reforms.
Questions around cybersecurity threats and the potential for technical failure have also been raised while the regulator will bar students from using their own personal phones, laptops or tablets.
A total of eight new GCSE, AS or A-level exams with at least one component assessed digitally could be in place by as early as 2030
The subjects that would not be eligible for on-screen exams at this point include A-level and GCSE maths, as well as GCSE English language, literature, combined science, biology, chemistry, physics, history, geography, religious studies, French, Spanish and business
‘If any more on-screen assessment is going to happen, it needs to be done in a way which is managed and in the interests of students, commands public confidence and is deliverable, importantly, for schools and colleges,’ said Sir Bauckham.
‘Letting pupils use their own devices would be unfair.
‘You’d have some that had state-of-the-art, fancy Apple Macs, and you’d have some that would have very slow, potentially vulnerable devices,’ he added.
The subjects that would not be eligible for on-screen exams at this point include A-level and GCSE maths, as well as GCSE English language, literature, combined science, biology, chemistry, physics, history, geography, religious studies, French, Spanish and business.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: ‘Technology is at the forefront of this Government’s mission to spread opportunity and modernise our education system.
‘We know interest in on-screen exams is growing, and aligning assessment with an increasingly digital world could bring valuable benefits, including for children with Send.
‘But it’s also important any shift is phased, controlled and above all, fair. We will continue to work closely with Ofqual and the wider sector to make sure we protect the high standards and integrity of our exam system and retain the confidence of schools, families and employers.
Exam boards can submit their potential qualifications after the consultation for on-screen exams closes on March 5.
If approved, the new specifications would ideally be in schools three years before the first exams happen, meaning the first exams could take place in 2030.
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: ‘We’re really pleased that Ofqual is exploring the potential for on-screen assessment in the future, as there are several possible benefits to utilising digital technology for exams.
‘This would represent a significant change, with many practical issues, and a measured approach is the right way to proceed.’
Exam boards have previously attempted to introduce on-screen assessments, but to no avail.
Proposals from AQA for GCSE Italian and Polish reading and listening exams in 2026, OCR for GCSE computer science for pupils starting their course in 2025 and Pearson Edexcel’s plans to offer a choice to sit on-screen GCSE English exams from summer 2025 were all delayed.
