Adapting for Impact: How Awarding Organisations Are Evolving Assessment for a Changing Skills Landscape
By Matt Wingfield, eAA Board Member and Chair of the AO Network
As the skills needs of employers, training providers and learners continue to evolve at pace, so too must our approaches to assessment. At the e-Assessment Association’s most recent Awarding Organisation (AO) Network meeting, we explored how AOs are responding to these changing demands—and the growing role of assessment technology in enabling this shift.
Our session began with an engaging open discussion where colleagues shared how assessment approaches and modalities are being adapted to better reflect real-world competence, workplace expectations, and the learning preferences of today’s candidates. There was broad consensus that the traditional model of knowledge-heavy, high-stakes exams is giving way to more authentic, skills-based assessment methods—many of which leverage technology to drive validity, efficiency and accessibility.
The discussion highlighted that while assessment reform is being driven by market needs, digital innovation is providing the tools to make it possible. From adaptive testing and remote invigilation to digital simulations and comparative judgement, AOs are increasingly embracing technologies that make assessments more responsive, scalable and meaningful.
This shift was powerfully illustrated in the two case studies presented in the second half of the session:
- Victoria Partington from the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment shared how they are using Comparative Judgement in the finance and investment sector. This innovative approach supports the consistent and robust assessment of complex, open-ended candidate responses, helping to reflect higher-order thinking and real-world application of knowledge.
- Kate Cooper from Kaplan provided a compelling insight into how the SQE2 leverages OSCE-style assessments to evaluate the practical legal skills required of solicitors. These scenario-based, observational assessments offer a more holistic and realistic measure of candidate capability—something that resonates strongly with both employers and regulators.
What emerged from the afternoon was a clear picture: AOs are not only adapting to market needs—they are actively shaping the future of assessment. By embracing technology and rethinking traditional paradigms, we are collectively working towards a system that better prepares learners for the workplace, supports lifelong learning, and maintains public confidence in qualifications.
Many thanks to all who contributed to such an open and energising session, and to our guest speakers for sharing such practical and inspiring examples.
If you’re part of an AO and would like to be involved in future discussions, please do get in touch—we’d love to welcome you to the conversation.
About the AO Network
The e-Assessment Association Awarding Organisation (AO) Network is a collaborative and facilitated community for assessment organisations to come together to share their experiences in using technology enabled assessment in all areas of education. It is a closed community, only open to assessment organisations. We hold closed meetings for AO Network members throughout the year. If you are interested in becoming a member of the AO Network, then please email [email protected].
Find out more about the AO Network here.
