The benefits of online assessment are welcomed by both the exam candidates themselves, and for the organisation providing the assessment. The types of benefits gained will depend on the assessment software used, but one overriding positive outcome is that organisations greatly reduce the administrative burden of organising and running exams. This is not an exhaustive list, but here are 12 key benefits of online assessment to consider:

1. Exam Candidates are used to Digital.
Exam candidates can work on a computer in a way they are familiar with, rather than using pen and paper. Candidates are at a disadvantage if they do not have access to computer editing tools when writing e.g. cut and pasting text, or using a spreadsheet for accounts. It is hard to switch to pen and paper when you are used to working digitally, and it can be very tiring over long periods.
2. Reduced Administrative Burden.
Organisations greatly reduce the administrative burden of organising and running exams when it moves online. Printing and circulating exams on paper and organising shipments of completed scripts to markers is a time-consuming and costly process.
3. Quicker to Mark and Issue Results.
It is much quicker to mark online and candidates welcome receiving results quickly. With auto-scorable questions, results are available immediately if wished.
4. Collaborative Question Authoring.
Working online makes it easier for the examining body to manage all the tasks involved in creating exams. For example, authoring questions can be done collaboratively, with clear workflows for review and approval of questions before they are added to the question bank.
5. Automated Test Assembly Tools.
Once there is an approved bank of questions, exam papers can be created easily by selecting questions or by using automated tools e.g. LOFT, or linear-on-the-fly testing, to create automatic and randomised papers. You can read more about linear-on-the-fly testing here.
6. On-Screen Marking Tools.
Marking and moderating exam results is streamlined, secure and standardised when it is managed online. Read more about on-screen marking here.
7. It’s More Environmentally Friendly.
It’s more environmentally friendly – with less paper, printing and transport used overall.
8. Scalable with Worldwide Reach
With online assessment, examining bodies can offer exams to candidates located over greater geographical areas, as they are not restricted to offering exams in physical test centres.
9. Increased Security.
Another benefit of online assessment is greater security, as all exam papers, candidate details, marks and results are digitally stored. In addition, only the people who should be able access exam information can be granted the appropriate system access. It is much harder to control access, storage and results management with paper-based exams.
10. Flexibility to Take Exams Anywhere
Remote invigilation, or online proctoring, gives candidates the ability to sit a secure and invigilated exam from the comfort of their home, which is less stressful, and saves time and money going to a test centre. Read more about the benefits of online proctoring here.
11. Assessment Reporting.
Online assessment facilitates quick and clear reports on candidate results and progress. This makes it easier to give useful feedback to candidates on how they are doing, areas where they are strong and what areas of learning require attention.
12. Cost Effectiveness.
Online assessment is more cost effective, due the vast reduction in administrative time managing the whole exam creation, delivery and marking processes. You can read more about other cost-efficiencies below.
13. Assessments that are Accessible to All
When you run assessments online, it is easier to adapt those assessments for candidates who have disabilities, such as changing font size, background colour etc. It is also easier to add extra time for candidates who need special considerations. To learn more visit this article on accessibility in assessment.