England’s largest exam board, AQA, has warned against moving ‘too slowly and too rigidly’, as it published its response to exam regulator Ofqual’s consultation on digital exams.
Under Ofqual’s proposals, the four exam boards that deliver GCSEs, AS and A levels in England would be allowed to introduce a maximum of two new on-screen specifications each. However, any subjects with more than 100,000 entries nationally would not initially be permitted on-screen exams, excluding many GCSE subjects. In their consultation response, AQA make it clear that they strongly disagree with the two subject limit, saying: ‘The two-specification limit in phase one is unduly restrictive and counterproductive. Such a cautious approach risks slowing progress to the point where the system cannot build the momentum or evidence base it needs to demonstrate potential.’ However, they offer support for the proposed cohort restrictions, arguing that in fact Ofqual should lower the maximum student entry numbers: ‘Launching onscreen assessments with small-cohort subjects would allow centres and students to grow familiarity and confidence with systems. Therefore, we recommend reducing the proposed cohort size threshold to 50,000 entries and allowing for more than two specifications per year. Applications should be measured against awarding organisation capacity, rather than an arbitrary cap.’
AQA also argue that digital exams could offer a number of benefits, including helping to support students with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They also say they could reduce security risks, be better for the environment and lead to faster marking and earlier results for students. They support digital exams being introduced in ‘a steadily-paced way’, enabling teachers and exams officers to deal with logistical issues, for example such as ensuring there is sufficient space and enough power sockets in exam halls. However they also warn that ‘moving too slowly and too rigidly will hinder progress and put us even further behind other countries that are already doing this well. We need momentum to ensure we get it right: being over-cautious may actually make it harder.’
AQA CEO Colin Hughes commented: ‘Our experience shows that confidence grows through doing, not delaying. That’s why exam boards such as AQA need to be able to progress and build the evidence base of what works. Rational caution is wise; excessive caution will restrain momentum and risks provoking public concern rather than allaying it. It’s wrong to argue that digital exams would be unfair on less privileged students. We need to prepare young people for the types of environments they will experience when they leave education and that means properly embedding digital skills across the curriculum, levelling disadvantaged young people up and closing the digital divide. From time to time, we hear claims that digital exams will encourage young people to spend more time on social media. That isn’t the case at all. In reality, whether mobiles are banned in school or not, responsible use of technology needs to form part of a whole school approach to digital literacy and online safety.’
Ofqual’s consultation closed on 5 March and it is now considering the responses that have been received. It has not commented on AQA’s response to the consultation at the present time. The full AQA response is available to read here: https://tinyurl.com/9hbrjmra