Since the first written exam was used in the English education system, this form of assessment continues to divide opinion and debates over the future of exams have become increasingly vocal. As a result, this report sets out to understand if the current dominance of written exams in the UK assessment landscape is justified and whether the following alternatives to exams could and should play a greater role in the UK’s assessment system towards the end of secondary education – most notably at age 18:
- Coursework and controlled assessments
- Oral exams
- Portfolios
- Extended essays and projects
- Performance-based assessments