Plan for A-level and GCSE tests to be taken on computers

Students could be sitting some GCSEs and A-levels on a laptop by the end of the decade, according to England's qualifications watchdog.

- Sally Weale Education correspondent

Amid complaints from pupils of writing fatigue in exams because their hand muscles "are not strong enough", Ofqual is launching a three-month public consultation about the introduction of onscreen assessments.

Under the proposals, each of the four main exam boards will be invited to draw up two new onscreen exam specifications, targeting subjects with fewer than 100,000 entries. GCSE maths would therefore not be eligible but GCSE German would.

Concerns over fair access to devices, cybersecurity and the potential for technical failure have been raised. Other issues include space requirements and larger desks to accommodate computers.

Ofqual said students would not be allowed to use their own devices for exams, and schools would be able to choose between onscreen and paper versions that would be offered as separate qualifications.