This is Part 1 in our 2-part blog series about the latest topics and trends shaping the future of assessments in the UK. To read Part II, click here. To learn more on these topics, please download the full guide.
In today’s competitive landscape, candidates expect their assessments to be convenient, flexible, and frictionless, seamlessly integrating with their busy lives. However, meeting these expectations is only part of the challenge. UK assessment programmes must also adhere to stringent regulatory standards, including those set by UK regulators – Ofqual, SQA, CCEA and Qualifications Wales, the Data Protection Act (DPA), and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Balancing candidate needs with strict compliance requirements and maintaining the security of your exams is crucial to safeguarding the credibility and reputation of your organisation.
At the same time, you must adapt to technological advances, societal changes, and political shifts. With so many factors at play, designing, developing, and delivering modern, computer-based exams has become increasingly complex. This blog explores some of the key trends and innovations shaping the future of assessments in the UK.
Key Considerations for Your Assessment Programme
When developing or refining your assessment programme, it is essential to consider several critical priorities. Ensuring validity by aligning your exams with regulatory standards, such as those from Ofqual and the other UK qualification regulators, is foundational. Equally important is providing a seamless and frictionless candidate experience, with exams that are user-friendly and meet candidate expectations. At the same time, exam integrity and rigour must be upheld, ensuring fairness and accuracy in assessment outcomes.
Security is another crucial area, especially as online testing grows. Protecting the integrity of your exams helps preserve the trustworthiness of your organisation. Innovation is necessary to stay competitive, while equity, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) principles must be integrated throughout the exam lifecycle. Ultimately, flexibility and continuous improvement will allow your programme to evolve with changing market demands and ensure the ongoing success of your assessment efforts.
Flexibility: The Future of Assessments
The future of UK assessments is rooted in flexibility. This extends to multiple aspects of your programme, from delivery formats to the way your organisation scales. For assessment providers, flexibility is key to remaining relevant, growing your programme, and adapting to industry changes. For candidates, flexible testing options allow them to take exams when and where it suits them best, offering a high-quality experience that matches the convenience of their everyday digital interactions.
Employers also benefit from flexible assessment programmes by ensuring that qualifications remain up to date, relevant, and responsive to workforce needs. Moreover, the ability to offer flexible exam solutions attracts new entrants to your sector, providing a steady stream of skilled candidates.
Multi-Modal Testing: Meeting Candidate Needs
One of the most significant trends in exam delivery today is the rise of multi-modal testing, which allows candidates to choose between in-person exams at a secure test centre or remote testing through online proctoring, either at home or in the office. This approach not only offers flexibility and convenience for candidates but also provides organisations with the ability to extend their reach, tapping into a wider audience and meeting the evolving expectations of a digital-first generation.
Remote Exam Flexibility: Live and Record & Review Proctoring
Online proctoring (remote invigilation) is another advancement that adds flexibility to exam delivery. With Live Remote Proctoring, candidates can take exams from anywhere, monitored in real-time by a proctor to ensure security and integrity. This method mirrors the security of in-person testing but adds the convenience of remote access.
For even more flexibility, Record & Review Proctoring enables on-demand testing, where candidates can take their exam anytime, anywhere. The exam session is recorded, and a proctor reviews it later. This option is particularly appealing for candidates who need complete flexibility around when they take their exams.
Exam Delivery Trends: A Data-Driven Perspective
The shift towards flexible test delivery is evident in recent trends. In 2020, 16% of PSI certification clients had adopted multi-modal testing, up from just 1.5% in 2019. By 2023, the number of online proctored exams had increased to 33%. However, it is important to note that 45% of candidates still prefer to take their exams in person, highlighting the importance of offering both online and physical testing options to meet a diverse range of candidate preferences.
Flexible Exam Formats and Item Types
Flexibility in assessments isn’t just about how exams are delivered; it also extends to the formats and item types used in assessments. Today’s exams go beyond traditional multiple-choice questions. Innovative item types such as drag-and-drop, hot spots/zones, and multiple selects are becoming more common. In-application testing, where candidates answer questions using real-world applications on their device, is also growing in popularity, providing a more authentic assessment experience.
The Importance of Flexible Reporting
Another crucial element of modern assessment programmes is flexible reporting. Post-test reports can be tailored to the specific needs of your organisation, helping you maintain compliance and improve exam validity, reliability, and fairness. For example, a Technical Analysis Report can summarise key metrics such as pass rates, item-level data, and mode comparisons, providing valuable insights into the performance of your exams.
A Real-World Example: ABRSM’s Digital Transformation
The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) offers a compelling example of how flexibility and innovation can transform an exam programme. Before 2020, ABRSM’s music theory exams were paper-based, offered only a few times per year at designated venues. This limited testing schedule created challenges for learners, including the need to travel long distances, which increased anxiety and costs.
With PSI’s support, ABRSM successfully transitioned to on-demand, computer-based testing, significantly enhancing candidate access and satisfaction. Since moving to this model in August 2021, ABRSM has delivered over 78,300 exams in 2023 alone, a considerable increase from 68,000 in 2021.
“This is an ongoing partnership with PSI. We are looking to move more of our exams to an anytime, anywhere model. This allows us to continue to put the learner, irrespective of their age, at the centre of our plans.”
— Helen Coleman, Chief Operating Officer, ABRSM
PSI worked closely with ABRSM to move from paper-based exams to computer-based testing, then from in-person proctoring to Record & Review Proctoring, and finally from fixed testing windows to on-demand testing, demonstrating the impact flexibility can have on an assessment programme.
Transitioning to Computer-Based Testing
Many UK assessments are already making the shift from paper-based to computer-based testing, offering benefits like increased flexibility, scalability, and security. At PSI, we’ve supported numerous clients through this process, ensuring a smooth and successful transition.
To learn more about the advantages of moving from paper-based to computer-based testing, we encourage you to read our guide on Moving from Paper-Based to Computer-Based Testing.
By embracing flexibility and innovation, your organisation can deliver a modern, accessible, and secure assessment programme that meets the needs of today’s candidates while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive into exam security, regulatory compliance, and the role of psychometric innovations in shaping the future of UK assessments.
To learn more on these topics, please download the full guide.
