In March and April, Estonian schools embark on a significant shift in student assessment by trialing computer-based tests in Estonian and English, moving away from traditional paper-based exams. This initiative is a preparatory step for the full implementation of e-exams in these subjects in 2025.
Preparing for the Future of Exams
The trial aims to help schools adapt to the new format and address any potential issues well before the official launch of e-exams next year. However, the final mathematics exam for basic school students will still be conducted on paper in 2025.
Liisbet Eero, head of English at the Education and Youth Board (Harno), explained that the new e-exams will evaluate listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills, similar to traditional exams. “Writing and speaking will be assessed by individual evaluators, whereas listening and reading tasks will be graded automatically,” said Eero.
Digital Grading Efficiency
Eero highlighted that while teachers may initially need to adjust, the long-term benefit includes reduced manual grading. “The tedious task of grading will be automated through the online Examination and Information System (EIS) portal,” she added.
The digital Estonian exam for ninth-grade students is designed to be more objective, testing reading and listening comprehension. Students will have access to the Estonian Language Institute’s word web for essay writing. The computer will grade listening, reading, and language knowledge sections, ensuring consistency and objectivity.
System Readiness and Potential Challenges
“The e-exams pose a challenge not just for teachers but for the entire system. Unlike paper exams, the use of computers introduces the risk of electronic failures,” said Raido Kahm, head of teaching at Tallinn School Number 21. “Technical glitches could affect student performance, raising questions about the reliability of e-exams. Nonetheless, there is no significant cause for concern,” Kahm added.
Kahm emphasized that e-exams will not add to the burden of Estonian or English teachers, as students are already familiar with the necessary technical skills. Electronic exams are not new; teachers have been using the EIS to mark Estonian and Russian proficiency tests for seventh graders, and students have been taking Cambridge University English language tests electronically for years.
By trialing these computer-based exams, Estonia is taking a forward-looking approach to modernize its educational assessment methods, ensuring a smoother transition to a digital examination system in the near future.
More: https://www.educationestonia.org/estonia-trials-e-exams-for-future-education/
