Stakeholder confidence in digital assessment 

This research is being published at an exciting time for the qualifications system in Wales, with a new suite of National 14-16 Qualifications being introduced from September this year (2025). Ten of the new GCSEs will introduce digital-only assessments that provide benefits for learners and centres, with more being added over time. Created specifically for digital formats, these assessments can be designed to maximise use of  effectively technology.

Contributors to the research, including our various stakeholders, recognised that digital assessments can support alignment with teaching and learning approaches, and build on learners’ existing familiarity with a range of digital technologies. There was a recognition that digital assessments can also support inclusivity by removing some hurdles in assessment, enhancing engagement by using audio-visual material, and making effective use of accessibility features (you can also see some of our work on accessibility and inclusivity in this blog post). 

Digital assessments are being included in subjects where there can be clear benefits for learners who take them, which also means that there will be greater variety in the assessment experiences for learners.  

Centre Guide 
Digital-only assessments will be introduced gradually during the first years of the new National 14-16 Qualifications. We recently published our Centre Guide, which shows the timeline for these assessments and we’re also creating readiness guidance documents to support centres in their preparation. The range of digital assessments will also grow over time and be introduced across five further GCSE subjects during the first five years of the qualifications, allowing more opportunities for innovation.  

Working with partners
The research also clearly identifies areas where centres will value assurances about the introduction of digital assessments. That’s why we’re working closely with Welsh Government, WJEC and others in this crucial period. We have, for example, confirmed that digital examinations will be pre-downloadable before an assessment. This means that any connectivity interruptions should affect the running of these assessments, and we’re engaging closely with local authorities to support their planning.  

Benefits of technology for other types of qualifications 
Digital technologies can also offer benefits to other types of qualifications. The modernising assessment team is also collaborating with a range of stakeholders to explore other opportunities. Over the last year, we’ve brought teachers and assessment software specialists together to consider how on-screen test items could make use of multimodality or include simulated models to enhance engagement and interactivity.  

We’ve also explored awarding bodies’ use of remote invigilation technologies and we’re inviting learners to tell us about their experiences of taking such assessments. We’re also asking schools to tell us about how they’re using digital technologies in assessment to support our ongoing consideration.  

This research has been a reminder of the enormous range of benefits that digital technologies can offer to assessments and the qualification system – we’re looking forward to working with partners to make them reality.