News
Keeping you up to date with OST developments
e-Assessment Research Project
The UK qualifications regulators and various awarding organisations are currently investigating the issues of using electronic assessment (eA) in the Controlled Assessment part of a range of qualifications, in order to inform policy and produce appropriate guidance.
A research group from these organisations is particularly interested in teachers' and learners' views on the processes and experiences of using eA in practice. It is likely that teachers, managers and examinations officers will have valuable opinions and experience to contribute to this research and we would appreciate your time in responding to the teachers' online questionnaire.
There is also a suitable online questionnaire for learners.
All responses are anonymous and any individual comments are received in total confidence.
For any further information or advice please contact:
| For online questionnaire administration: For project administration: For AQA's On-screen Testing team: |
dkernaghan@ccea.org.uk dcrosbie@ccea.org.uk On-screenTests@aqa.org.uk | |
Your time and responses are very much appreciated.
Even more specimen OSTs available now!
We are pleased to announce the release of Specimen on-Screen tests for:
We have reproduced existing question papers as on-screen tests so both students and teachers can become familiar with how these specifications work on-screen.
They are open access and can be viewed anytime, from anywhere!
Summer 2012 On-Screen Test Pilot
We are offering a limited number of centres the opportunity to contribute to the development of on-screen tests and for their students to benefit in the following subjects:
- GCSE French (Reading)
- GCSE German (Reading)
- GCSE Spanish (Reading)
- Functional Skills English (Writing)
The software setup and updates are provided free of charge by AQA as part of our support service.
Suitable for students of all levels of ability, OST provides a user-friendly test environment and can be less stressful for students than taking traditional paper-based tests.
OST helps some students focus more easily, which can be particularly useful . The clear graphics and easy to use features like drag and drop are regularly used by people studying or using computers for leisure.
To register your interest, please complete the register your interest form and we will contact you with more details.
Update from the Online Learning Resources team
The Online Learning Resources team have recently launched an expanded range of Online Progress Tests for GSCE Maths, Sciences and Modern Foreign Languages.
While On-Screen Tests are an alternative to traditional GCSE and Functional Skills examinations, Online Progress Tests are an alternative to regular, pen and paper progress tests or mock exams and are accessed online. They enable teachers to track the progress of their GCSE students throughout the year in an interactive way. Online Progress Tests are also a great tool for students to monitor their own learning and revision progress using the tests either in class or at home (or anywhere with an internet connection).
Built on the same easy to use technology, both On-Screen Tests and Online Progress Tests provide teachers and learners with an intuitive, engaging user experience. Online Progress Tests are a perfect way to prepare students for GCSE Online Progress Tests by familiarising them with the look and feel of the tests.
Online Progress Tests can benefit busy GCSE teachers by saving them precious time (through instant tests and automatic marking), giving them insight into individual and class performance and providing them with a high quality revision tool (all questions written by AQA subject experts and examiners).
Visit our landing page to find more details about the Online Progress Tests and have a go at one of the free sample tests.
If you would like more information about the Online Progress Tests please contact the Online Learning Resources team.
Specimen OSTs available now
We are pleased to announce the release of Specimen On-Screen Tests for:
These tests have been created to demonstrate how current assessment could work as an on-screen test for the above subjects.
By reproducing an existing question paper as an on-screen test, both students and teachers can become familiar with how questions function on-screen. They are open access and can be viewed anytime, anywhere!
Centre feedback on the 2011 Summer Series
The West Bridgford School provided the following feedback based on their experience of using the Science On-screen Test:
- The guidance documentation and e-mail / telephone contact and advice have been excellent throughout.
- Feedback provided on the November On-screen Tests has been taken on board, actioned and relevant improvements made.
- Changes to the timescale for inputting Access Arrangements has been an excellent improvement allowing Exam Officers to fully ensure that the extra time is in place. This is particularly beneficial during busy exam seasons.
We have witnessed the positive effect that using the on-screen test facility has had on a number of our students.
Keep up the good work!
On-Screen Tests – March, May and June 2011
Following the success of the November series of On-Screen Tests, over 3000 candidates from 58 centres took the GCSE Science exams as on-screen tests in March and a further 3100 candidates in June.
We have also extended the range of subjects offered as On-Screen Tests, with candidates taking tests in Functional Skills English and GCSE ICT for the first time this summer.
In the next academic year (2011-12) we plan to offer on-screen tests in:
- GCSE Science A (Outgoing Specification) in November 2011, March 2012, June 2012 and a final re-sit opportunity in November 2012
- Functional Skills English (Reading) in November 2011, January 2012, March 2012 and May 2012
- GCSE ICT (New Specification) in January 2012 and June 2012
- Functional Skills ICT in November 2011, January 2012, March 2012 and May 2012
We are also planning to further extend the range of subjects offered as on-screen tests in the future.
On-screen tests at BETT / ASE – Jan 2011
In January 2011 we demonstrated our exciting, new on-screen tests at the BETT show in London and ASE in Reading. The tests generated a great deal of interest and visitors were keen to see what a difference the tests could make to their schools and colleges.
Our engaging, simple to manage tests provide an excellent alternative to pen and paper exams. Offering a secure means of assessing student ability, they come with full technical support. Students find the tests intuitive and easy to use and centres benefit from the simplicity of tracking candidates and assessments. These on-screen tests are as rigorous, valid and reliable as our more traditional pen and paper exams but more engaging for candidates as they more closely align to the way in which they work and live their lives.
In 2011 we will be offering high stakes On-screen Tests in:
- GCSE Science
- GCSE ICT
- Functional Skills ICT
- Functional Skills English (Reading)
French GCSE Research Trial – Jan 2011
Our Research Department, together with the GCSE French Department, recently offered centres an opportunity for their candidates to sit an online mock Reading examination for the new GCSE French specification. 277 centres nationwide took part in the trial, with a total of 10,844 candidates sitting the online Reading test. The project has now finished, but the test used in the trial will be made available on our website; centres will receive notification via Ask AQA once this is available. Early feedback indicates that centres and students alike have found the trial an interesting and worthwhile experience, and we will soon be working on a report to Ofqual based on our findings.
Science Investigative Skills Assignment (ISA) Pilot
The Science ISA is a controlled assessment and we are now developing it to allow candidates to prepare for and sit the exam on-screen.
The exam will be in two or three parts. Each part will be time limited and will be marked on-screen by the teacher and then moderated on-screen by AQA.
Marks will be fed back to AQA and into the exams processing system for awarding. A pilot is being run with a few centres in December to see what the teachers and candidates think about doing it on-screen and the results of this will be evaluated so that a future versions of the on-screen ISA can be designed and implemented. Further work will also be undertaken to define the new electronic processes which will be used to moderate the work and deal with the marks.
Here's to the future
We are already offering on-screen tests for GCSE Science A and GCSE Maths progress tests and are now rolling out OSTs across a wide range of subjects. Here's what's planned for 2011:
- Functional Skills ICT (January)
- Functional Skills English, reading (June)
- GCSE ICT FC and SC (June)
- GCSE progress tests in Science, French and English.
