The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) is consulting on plans that will require exam boards to stick to paper-based exams for the 13 most taken GCSEs as well as A-level mathematics with no plans to change the structure.
Most students taking school and college GCSE, A-level, and AS-level exams in England will continue to use pen and paper, according to proposals from the Ofqual for a very limited expansion of screen-based assessments.
The old way is considered safer and not subject to cyber risk.
Also see: UK Government Cyber Attack
Advertisement
Ofqual representative Jo Handford, the associate director for strategic projects and innovation stated “On-screen assessment introduces new challenges around cybersecurity, technical failures during exams, and maintaining standards across different modes,” she wrote. “Our controlled approach ensures these risks are carefully managed.” in a recent blog.
“The rigour and value of qualifications won’t be compromised. And traditional pen and paper assessment will remain the primary mode for most exams,” she added.
As we go into 2026 pen and paper exams will remain in England for now and for the foreseeable future.
Keep up with my latest news from Cyber England.
