E-assessments to replace traditional exams, says education expert

Continuous assessment could replace exams

Traditional exams could be replaced with continuous e-assessments within 15 years, according to a leading education expert.

Simon Lebus, chief executive of Cambridge Assessment, told the Guardian that exam boards are investing millions of pounds developing the technology.

"The likelihood is that in the next 10 to 15 years it will change almost out of recognition, in that by the end of that period, you'll be able to do exams more or less on demand, onscreen," he said.

"You can make the learning more valid and the technology can enhance the way people engage in the subject. It's very expensive, complex stuff to do. But it is achievable. It's not a vision based on a sort of science fiction-type fantasy."

Lebus said traditional exams would still be available for those who wanted them, but the new system could benefit those who feel exams are unfair.

The system could involve "adaptive" testing, which would generate harder questions when a pupil gets an answer right or easier ones when they are wrong.

Such tests are thought to be more accurate at diagnosing a pupil's level of skill.

Exam board OCR has piloted a fully e-assessed GCSE in environmental and land-based science since 2007. This summer 1,800 candidates at 80 schools and colleges will take the exam.