Ofqual is today launching a 12-week public consultation on its
proposed approach to regulating on-screen exams in GCSEs, AS and
A levels.
The proposals aim to support responsible innovation while
protecting fairness, standards and the integrity of England's
qualifications system.
The consultation, titled Regulating on-screen assessments, builds
on joint research by Ofqual and the Department for
Education.
The research explores the opportunities, risks and practical
challenges of introducing on-screen exams in high-stakes
qualifications. This work has highlighted potential benefits for
students, while also recognising the need for careful
oversight.
Sir Ian Bauckham, Chief Regulator at Ofqual,
said:
We must maintain the standards and fairness that define England's
qualifications system. Any introduction of on-screen exams must
be carefully managed to protect all students' interests, and
these proposals set out a controlled approach with rigorous
safeguards.
Steve Rollett, Deputy Chief Executive at the
Confederation of School Trusts, said:
We welcome this thoughtful consultation on on-screen assessments.
School trusts recognise the potential benefits technology can
bring to assessment, but it's vital that any changes are
introduced carefully and with proper safeguards.
The proposed approach shows the right balance between innovation
and protecting standards. We encourage our members to engage with
this consultation and share their practical insights on what
would work best for schools and students.
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. There are several potential
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. This
consultation is an important step forward, and we encourage all
stakeholders to respond and share their professional expertise.
, Education Secretary,
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.
Under the proposals, the 4 exam boards delivering GCSEs, AS and A
levels in England would be allowed to introduce up to 2 new
on-screen specifications each, subject to Ofqual accreditation.
The most popular subjects — those with over 100,000 entries
nationally — would not be permitted as on-screen exams at this
stage.
Students would not be allowed to use their own personal devices
for exams. On-screen and paper versions would be offered as
completely separate qualifications with different questions to
maintain standards and transparency.
The consultation will run until 5 March 2026, and responses will
inform Ofqual's final approach to regulating on-screen
assessments.
Notes to Editors:
-
The consultation runs from 11 December 2025 to 5 March 2026
and will go live on GOV.UK on Thursday at 9:30am
-
Responses can be submitted via the online consultation form
on GOV.UK or by email to consultations@ofqual.gov.uk
-
Ofqual will publish a summary of responses and outline next
steps in 2026
-
Ofqual is the independent qualifications regulator for
England
-
The Department for Education is responsible for setting the
national curriculum and subject content for GCSEs, AS and A
levels
-
The consultation also seeks views on how the proposed
principles might apply to vocational and technical
qualifications (VTQs), where on-screen assessment is already
more established
