A new study has shown a confidence in e-assessment is growing among awarding bodies.

Research by Thomson Prometric, a leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services, backed by the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) found that 26% of awarding body survey respondents were currently delivering an e-assessment programme.

Of the remaining 74%, nearly half were developing or piloting an e-assessment programme. And, 84% believe that e-assessment is more, or equally as robust, as traditional paper and pencil delivery. Overall, the research concluded that exam taker satisfaction and the ability to assess knowledge on demand are the most important factors contributing to the need for awarding body e-assessment programmes.

"This research project is timely. It provides the first systematic survey of awarding bodies' attitudes and views of the drivers and barriers associated with e-assessment," said Martin Ripley of QCA. "We consider that the information contained in this report will be of benefit to all awarding bodies, including those not yet e-active in developing strategies."

Martin Milner, Thomson Prometric country manager UK, said: "E-assessment is rapidly growing within adult and professional education throughout this country. Organisations such as the Securities & Investments Institute (SII), CITB-Construction Skills and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) are already actively using an e-Assessment strategy. Many awarding bodies are seeing benefits with e-assessment to greatly increase candidate satisfaction and also to grow their programmes internationally."

Acritas Research conducted the independent, objective survey. With 67% of all recognised Awarding Bodies interviewed. The report Drivers and Barriers to the Adoption of e-Assessment for UK Awarding Bodies is available here.