Exams

OCR to launch first fully-digital GCSE in 2025

On-screen computer science exam would allow for a 'more authentic assessment', but schools can opt out

On-screen computer science exam would allow for a 'more authentic assessment', but schools can opt out

OCR will launch a fully-digital computer science GCSE assessment in 2025

OCR is to launch the first GCSE to be assessed solely on screen in 2025, as the sector starts its move towards digital exams.

The exam board said pupils sitting its GCSE in computer science will be able to sit digital rather than paper-based exams to “allow for more authentic assessment” of their programming skills.

Although schools will still be able to opt for paper-based assessment if they “prefer that approach” or do not have the digital infrastructure in place, OCR said.

Exams regulator Ofqual is currently undertaking a feasibility study alongside the government on “what it would take” to make GCSE and A-level exams “fully digital”.

Research by England’s largest exam board, AQA, last year found teachers’ biggest barrier to digital exams was a lack of infrastructure.

But AQA has already set out a timetable to move some its exams on-screen, with a large-entry subject like English going digital by 2030.

Digital exams ‘closer to real industry’, says OCR

OCR’s announcement follows a pilot of digital mock exams in schools in 2021 and 2022, which found 92 per cent of students preferred typing over hand-written responses, while students performed similarly to those who took live assessments.

The exam board said it would look to digitise GCSEs for other subjects.

Chief executive Jill Duffy added: “Students want to sit their exams in the way that they learn. Digital exams are far closer to real industry and further study experiences.

“Our pilot has shown that digital exams work. Now we have to move at pace to ensure every student can benefit from the opportunities of digital assessment.”

OCR said that in a focus group of around 100 teachers this autumn, eight out of 10 said they felt their school or college would be “ready to deliver” digital assessments within the next two years.

The computing exam changes come after OCR admitted last year’s controversial paper was “more difficult” than usual, although top grades remained higher than pre-Covid levels after boundaries were lowered.

Latest education roles from

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Romero Catholic Academy Trust

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Ormiston Academies Trust

Principal & Chief Executive

Principal & Chief Executive

Truro & Penwith College

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

London & South East Education Group

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

AI Safety: From DfE Guidance to Classroom Confidence

Darren Coxon, edtech consultant and AI education specialist, working with The National College, explores the DfE’s expectations for AI...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

How accurate spend information is helping schools identify savings

One the biggest issues schools face when it comes to saving money on everyday purchases is a lack of...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Building Character, Increasing Engagement and Growing Leaders: A Whole School Approach

Research increasingly shows that character education is just as important as academic achievement in shaping pupils’ long-term success. Studies...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Educators launch national AI framework to guide schools and colleges

More than 250 schools and colleges across the UK have already enrolled in AiEd Certified, a new certification framework...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Exams

Exams: Try rest breaks before asking for extra time, schools told 

New JCQ guidance says supervised rest breaks 'often more effective and appropriate' than extra exam time

Ruth Lucas
Exams

Poorer pupils do better in more disadvantaged schools, report says

Researchers also find worst-performing areas for disadvantaged kids likely to have more poor white youngsters

Jack Dyson
Exams

WJEC exam board fined £350k after wrong food GCSE results

Ofqual to issue WJEC with six-figure penalty after 1,527 food preparation and nutrition GCSE pupils received incorrect results

Jack Dyson
Exams

Schools ‘over a barrel’ as exam fees rise again

Cost of exams will increase at a greater rate than school funding in 2026, with some provided by AQA...

Freddie Whittaker

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *