Qualifications watchdog launches consultation amid complaints from pupils about writing fatigue in exams
Students could be sitting some of their GCSEs and A-levels on a laptop by the end of the decade, according to England’s qualifications watchdog.
Amid complaints from pupils of writing fatigue in exams because their hand muscles “are not strong enough”, Ofqual is launching a three-month public consultation about the introduction of onscreen assessments.
Under the proposals, each of the four main exam boards will be invited to draw up two new onscreen exam specifications, targeting subjects with fewer than 100,000 entries. GCSE maths would therefore not be eligible but GCSE German would.
Already there are concerns about fair access to devices, cybersecurity and the potential for technical failure. Other issues include space requirements and larger desks to accommodate computers.
