Is it time to scrap traditional pen and paper exams?

Analysis: As the watchdog considers online GCSE tests, looks at the pros and cons

Sitting in a hall is seen as outdated but online testing is still not widespread (Getty/iStock)

Young people currently in school were born into a digital world and have grown up surrounded by technology, yet they still have to sit in an exam hall with a pen and paper to be tested.

But regulatory body Qualifications Wales is now considering allowing 16-year-olds in Wales to sit their GCSE exams online to better reflect the way in which teenagers use different digital devices to study.

This is not the first time, and it is unlikely to be the last, that an expert in the education sector has called for electronic assessments to replace lengthy handwritten tests in schools.

Most young people who enter the world of work now are required to use a computer, rather than a pen and paper. Even in class, pupils are increasingly using computers, tablets and phones to work.

However, many questions remain as to how online tests at GCSE would work. Would it be the same set-up in an exam hall, but with computers instead of papers? And would it be used for all subjects?

Of course, there are a number of pros to computer-based assessments. They can be more accessible to students who struggle with their handwriting and they can be much more relevant to future careers.

Not to mention that a move away from pen and paper can only be a good thing for the environment, which is a rising concern among eco-conscious pupils.

A recent report by the not-for-profit education technology company, Jisc, found colleges and universities have already begun introducing more online assessments.

Preston College uses a 360-degree camera to review work in the dance studio and Newcastle University is moving towards digital exams.

In India, more than five million students use digital exams. They use an e-card with their thumbprint and photo to access the exam room, while a photo and thumbprint taken on computers on the day of the exam are attached to the attendance sheet, which must also be signed.

But some critics argue that an over-reliance on technology could damage key literacy skills as young people turn to spell checkers and keyboards.

And a number of concerns remain about online testing. For example, there needs to be enough funding in place to ensure every school can access computers for all their pupils for the exams.

Cash-strapped schools may struggle to imagine that this will be a possibility anytime soon.

There is also the risk that technical issues, such as poor wifi or a power cut, could disrupt exams. Just last year, WJEC exam board had to apologise after pupils taking a GCSE computer science exam were delayed by 30 minutes following an issue with the technology.

In light of recent security breaches with exam papers – where questions have been posted on social media before the test took place – there will also be a number of security fears to address.

Not to mention concerns about pupils being able to potentially cheat on the digital devices during the exam.

If the Welsh watchdog goes ahead with the move, it is not going to be an easy task. GCSE exams are too high stakes to rush such a major change. So we are probably still a long way off a fully digital exam system.