Ofqual has confirmed that new vocational qualifications in England will allow on-screen assessment from September 2027, opening the way for greater use of digital testing across V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates.
The new qualifications are intended for learners aged over 16 and will provide alternatives to existing A level and T level routes. V Levels are designed as broad vocational qualifications for students progressing to higher study or higher technical training, while Foundation Certificates provide a one-year level 2 option. Occupational Certificates will take two years and are intended to prepare learners for employment.
Under Ofqual’s decision, exam boards offering V Levels will be able to use on-screen assessment for non-timetabled assessments across all subjects. For timetabled assessments, digital assessment will initially be permitted for digital systems and data, and accountancy and finance. These assessments represent 40% of the overall marks in those subjects.
Foundation and Occupational Certificates will have fewer restrictions, with on-screen assessment permitted across subjects for both timetabled and other assessments.
The approach to V Levels will be introduced in stages. Ofqual will assess whether digital assessment can be extended to additional subjects based on evidence from the initial subjects and the readiness of assessment centres.
The decision reflects the different characteristics of the qualifications and the extent to which digital assessment is already established within vocational and technical education.
The move also brings greater attention to the infrastructure required to deliver digital assessments. Not every education centre has the same level of digital capability, creating a potential challenge as the new qualifications are introduced.
There are also concerns about digital inequality among candidates. If students have different levels of access to suitable technology or different levels of digital familiarity, there is a risk that an assessment could measure digital skills rather than the vocational knowledge and abilities it is intended to test.
Ofqual has recognised these issues and plans to consult further on how its approach should be implemented, as well as the longer-term use of on-screen assessment for V Levels.
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