top of page


The Curriculum and Assessment Review – A sparkling mandate for digital exams or a complete washout?
Brits expect fireworks on 5th November. But few from the digital exam and assessment sector expected pyrotechnics and revelations from the UK government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review, published today . Education journalist Warwick Mansell claims the review team is ‘ experienced and serious ’. I’m curious on their approach to the UK’s decades-long track record of digital exams and assessment. The sector must reflect: what problems are we solving? Today’s interview with
Nov 53 min read


How did the UK Citizenship Test pioneer 20 years of online digital exams?
20 years ago on November 1 2005, the UK Citizenship Test was launched . An online one-hour high-stakes exam, delivered across 90 independent test centres. Life in the UK (LitUK) is one of many global tests that facilitates the citizenship and naturalisation processes. You read that correctly – the UK government with the digital exam sector have been delivering an online exam for 20 years. Not on paper. Or as a locally downloaded file to a server - a method perfected in the mi
Nov 33 min read


How will the sale of City and Guilds impact the education sector?
The biggest UK assessment sector news story in 20 years. City & Guilds, synonymous with ‘the trades’ and vocational education,  has been sold . Just like Xerox, Hoover, and Sellotape – Guilds is a rare genericised brand that the general public instantly recognise.  Its acquirer is  PeopleCert . A privately owned company led by its founder and owner Byron Nicolaides. The sale proceeds will go to founding a separate charitable wing. The exact playbook used by  Pearson on ac
Oct 204 min read


Do exam owners declare their energy usage?
I listened to Rita Bateson this week at RM’s Assessment Summit in London, and was struck that for the assessment sector, energy usage...
Oct 103 min read


What are assessment professionals actually telling us?
The exam sector is haunted by fears of fulfilling special accommodations, grappling with AI and evolving social norms. Read how the TPAC conference revealed the sector's concerns, but gave hope for the future.
Sep 263 min read


What does Digital Sovereignty mean for digital exams and e-assessment?
Where’s our candidate data going? Who can access it? Does someone have a kill switch? USA’s ‘ America First ’ policy is causing panic and...
Aug 103 min read


The e-Assessment Association Conference: an island of progress, innovation, and perseverance. But what next?
It took 29 nations, over 300 delegates, and a multitude of interests to deliver the latest successful e-Assessment Association (eAA)...
Jun 163 min read


Do digital exams and e-assessment provide transparency?
Is our love for a less-than-transparent world blighting trust in exams and assessment?
Read how digital exams and e-assessment are being held back by opacity, and our willingness to look the other way.
Jun 123 min read


Can Multi-Modal assessment sweep away the AI froth?
Using a basket of assessment instruments as part of a Multi-Modal Assessment can deal with both the benefits and hazards of artificial intelligence.
Jun 93 min read
bottom of page