In a recent artcile in the TES, formerEducation Secretary, Damian Hinds calls for the Department for Education to block the mass rollout of digital exams. This conflates two very different issues: the importance of handwriting and the urgent need to modernise assessment. These are not mutually exclusive. We should continue to teach and value handwriting for its cognitive and creative benefits. But insisting on handwritten exams as the only valid format for assessment is out of step with how students learn, live, and work in today’s world.
Let’s be clear: maintaining the current system is not a neutral act. It’s choosing to perpetuate a model that is already under strain: a system too slow, short on markers, and increasingly prone to inconsistency and human error. The idea that we must resist change to preserve exam integrity is misguided. In fact, doing nothing is the greater risk.
Year after year, we face the same challenges: marker shortages, delays, and growing concerns over reliability. Yet we still expect different outcomes. Meanwhile, other nations are moving forward. From Africa to New Zealand to Canada, digital assessment is being used successfully at scale for high stakes assessment. As a country with a world-class education reputation, we risk falling behind if we continue to resist the inevitable.
Digital assessment is not theoretical – it is happening now.
As the global leader in promoting best practice in digital assessment, we have so many examples showing how digital assessment is being delivered successfully. Our recent Digital Assessment at Scale webinar attracted over 400 education professionals from awarding bodies to regulators, demonstrating the demand for credible solutions. At our 2025 International Conference, delegates came from 26 countries, representing organisations that have already implemented or are actively planning for digital exams. At our National Examinations Roundtable, leaders from major exam bodies shared how they are navigating this transition. And the winners and finalists of our recent International e-Assessment Awards demonstrate best practice and innovation across the world.
This isn’t about technology for technology’s sake. It’s about making assessment more resilient, inclusive and relevant.
The benefits of digital assessment are clear:
This is not about deskilling. It’s about choice.
We are not calling for the abolition of handwriting. We are calling for a system that recognises that not all students demonstrate their best work the same way. By offering digital exams, we allow students to focus on what matters, their knowledge and understanding, rather than how fast or neatly they can write under pressure. And let’s not forget equity. If we limit digital assessments to only those with special access arrangements, we create a two-tier system.
We must be bold or risk falling behind.
It is understandable that change can be uncomfortable. But we must not let misplaced caution or nostalgia block progress. The real threat is not that handwriting will disappear it’s that our exam system will become increasingly disconnected from the world students are preparing to enter.
The e-Assessment Association stands ready to support this transition not just with thought leadership, but with practical, proven insights from across the globe. The question is no longer if we move to digital assessment, but how we do so in a way that ensures fairness, accessibility, and excellence.
Let’s not fear progress. Let’s lead it.
About the eAA
The e-Assessment Association plays a vital role in bringing together a global community of awarding organisations, assessment providers, technology experts, academics, and educational institutions dedicated to advancing the field of digital assessment. By fostering collaboration across these diverse stakeholders, we create a unique platform to share expertise, insights, and best practices that drive innovation and address the evolving needs of the assessment landscape.
This extensive network of professionals equips the eAA with a deep understanding of assessment technologies and their applications, enabling us to address complex challenges such as ethical considerations, accessibility, and the rapid pace of technological evolution. As digital assessment becomes more central to education and professional qualifications, our role in shaping this transformation ensures that it remains inclusive, equitable, and aligned with the highest standards of integrity.
Central to our mission is the eAA’s unwavering commitment to fostering confidence and trust in digital assessments. This includes addressing critical issues like data security, ensuring assessments are accessible to all learners, and building frameworks that inspire trust among stakeholders. By creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration, we help guide the global assessment community toward solutions that not only meet today’s demands but also anticipate future challenges, ensuring that digital assessments are secure, fair, and impactful for learners worldwide.
Individuals can join the eAA for free – find out more here.
Read our previous article: Embracing the Future of Assessment – Handwriting, Technology, and the Real World
Watch our webinar: Digital Assessment at Scale
Join the global community advancing e-assessment through innovation, research, and collaboration.
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