By Engrnewswire 
Students across the UK are hearing that digital GCSE exams will soon be a reality. In October 2023, the AQA exam board announced that the reading and listening components of its Italian and Polish GCSEs would be the first tests sat online from 2026. The board hopes to roll out digital exams in larger subjects by 2030, signalling a profound shift in how pupils in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and beyond will learn, revise and sit their papers.
Parents and teachers are asking: What will these changes mean for our children? This article explores the evolving landscape of GCSEs, including on‑screen assessments, AI‑powered revision tools and the role of human tutors. By understanding both opportunities and challenges, families can prepare effectively for the digital future while still accessing the best GCSE tutor in the UK for personalised support.
New Era of Digital Exams and Assessments
From Paper to Pixels
For decades, GCSE exams have relied on pen and paper. AQA’s proposals mark the beginning of an evolutionary shift: digital exams will be introduced gradually, not overnight. The reading and listening parts of language exams will be taken on computers from 2026. Students’ devices will be offline in the exam hall, ensuring they cannot search the internet or consult AI tools. AQA stresses that paper‑based exams will continue to be used for many subjects during the transition, but the long‑term vision is a hybrid system where some components are delivered digitally and others on paper.
Digital assessments mirror the world students inhabit. AQA argues they are truer to the digital world students grow up and work. They can include interactive audio and video elements, allowing pupils to interact with exam content in more authentic ways. Digital exams are also seen as more environmentally sustainable and fair, reducing concerns about handwriting legibility and helping those with special educational needs.
Pilot Results and Student Sentiment
Sceptics wonder whether teenagers prefer computers to paper during high‑stakes tests. AQA’s pilot of digital GCSE science exams found encouraging feedback. According to a report summarising the trial, 52 % of students were positive about taking GCSE science digitally, 36 % felt neutral, and only 12 % felt negative. Students said they found it quicker to type answers, giving them more time to develop ideas (echoing the BBC’s interview with pilot participants). Nonetheless, schools need to consider fairness: the AQA pilot emphasised that sufficient investment in devices is essential to prevent widening the disadvantage gap.
AI and Generative Tools Use
AI Tutors and Revision Platforms
Generative AI has already transformed revision. During the 2025 exam season, students used AI chatbots as 24‑hour personal tutors to summarise textbooks, generate practice questions and provide feedback. Dr Andrew Rogoyski of the Surrey Institute for People‑Centred AI notes that AI allows students to ask questions they might be too shy to voice in class, improving understanding. Sandra Leaton Grey of University College London explains that learners upload mark schemes to AI models and then ask how to improve their answers, treating AI like a tireless tutor.
These tools, combined with GCSE tutor online services, enable personalised learning. Adaptive revision apps provide instant feedback and adjust difficulty based on a student’s performance. When used responsibly alongside a human English tutor for GCSE or GCSE Maths tutor, AI can deepen understanding and boost confidence.
Cheating, Dependency and Exam Integrity
Yet experts warn that AI brings risks. Dr Thomas Lancaster from Imperial College London says generative AI is becoming such a core digital skill that new exams will be needed to test how effectively students use it. He predicts we will need increased security checks and training for invigilators to spot disallowed devices and AI‑enabled smart glasses. Sir Ian Bauckham, chief regulator of Ofqual, worries that AI could compromise extended writing coursework, urging caution in adopting digital tools wholesale.
Rogoyski warns of “AI‑dependency”; students might become so reliant on AI that they lose the ability to analyse, write and critique subjects themselves. At the same time, Jill Duffy of OCR believes AI could speed up marking by turning handwritten answers into digital text, potentially delivering GCSE and A‑level results within a month. She also anticipates more viva voce (oral) assessments and discussions to test understanding. Lancaster adds that exams will remain, but the format will evolve.
How Digital Exams Affect Teaching and Tutoring
Preparing for On‑Screen Assessments
Digital exams will influence how tutors plan lessons and revision sessions. To succeed in 2026 and beyond, students must become comfortable typing extended answers, navigating on‑screen formulas, and using digital tools like equation editors. Tutors should incorporate digital GCSE exam support into sessions, practising past papers online, teaching keyboard shortcuts and demonstrating how to annotate digital texts. In language subjects, students may listen to audio clips via headsets and type responses under timed conditions.
For students in Year 9 and 10, early exposure to digital practice builds confidence. Pupils can start by completing homework digitally and using adaptive learning apps to reinforce topics. GCSE tutoring UK providers should ensure their platforms comply with the exam board’s offline requirements.
Balancing Tech and Traditional Skills
Despite the shift toward screens, pen and paper are not disappearing overnight. AQA emphasises that traditional exams will remain in many subjects and that digital exams will replicate existing paper layouts (“paper behind glass”). Tutors should therefore balance digital practice with written mock exams. Handwriting remains important for subjects like mathematics, where layout and rough work are crucial. Combining screen‑based quizzes with handwritten essays will prepare students for both formats.
Supporting Students Who Struggle
Digital exams could disadvantage pupils without reliable devices at home or those with limited typing skills. Teachers and tutors must identify these students early and provide extra practice. Schools may need to lend laptops or arrange supervised digital revision sessions. Some students with dyslexia or dyspraxia may benefit from typing, while others may find screens overwhelming. Flexible support, including extended time or screen readers, can help ensure equity. Tutors should liaise with schools to understand available adjustments offered by AQA, Edexcel and OCR.
Parent Insights: Guiding Teens Through the Digital Transition
- Invest in Equipment: Ensure your child has access to a reliable laptop or tablet and a quiet study space. Check if schools provide devices for practice.
- Stay Informed: Follow updates from AQA, Edexcel and OCR. Many exam boards plan to reveal more details of digital roll‑outs in 2024.
- Support Balanced Learning: Encourage a mix of digital and handwritten revision. Join webinars offered by tutoring companies on digital exam skills.
- Encourage Digital Literacy: Talk to your child about responsible AI use. Emphasise that AI is a tool to aid learning, not a shortcut.
- Consider Professional Support: A qualified GCSE teacher or English tutor for GCSE with experience in digital practice can help your child navigate new formats confidently.
Top 5 Best GCSE Tutors in the UK (2025)
As digital exams and AI tools reshape GCSE preparation, high‑quality tutoring remains essential. Here are the best GCSE tutors in the UK for 2025.
1. MyTutor
MyTutor is one of the UK’s most recognised online tutoring platforms, partnering with schools and trusted by thousands of families. Their tutors come from top UK universities and specialise in GCSE and A-level subjects across all major exam boards. Students access personalised one-to-one lessons, progress reports, and practice exam sessions. Their platform is popular for its reliability, strong safeguarding measures and high GCSE improvement rates reported by parents.
2. RS Remote Tutoring
RS Remote Tutoring offers one-to-one best GCSE tutoring online via a Google meet or zoom. Qualified subject specialists teach GCSE Maths, English and Science across AQA, Edexcel and OCR curricula. Lessons incorporate interactive whiteboards and digital exam practice, making them ideal for students preparing for digital GCSEs. With tutors based across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, RS Remote provides national coverage. Students across the UK trust RS Remote Tutoring for personalised GCSE learning. Free consultations are available through their official website.
3. Kip McGrath Education Centres
Kip McGrath is a well-established supplementary education provider with centres across the UK as well as online tutoring options. Their structured programmes focus on English and Maths, following the UK curriculum outcomes. Each student receives an initial assessment and a personalised learning plan, and lessons blend face-to-face teaching with digital exercises. Kip McGrath is known for its supportive, school-like learning approach, especially for students needing foundational support.
4. Oxford Open Learning
Oxford Open Learning is a respected home-education school that offers full GCSE courses taught by qualified tutors. Students receive study materials, structured modules, tutor support, and mock exam feedback. It’s especially suitable for students who need flexible learning, are home-educated, or want to study additional GCSEs outside school. Their courses are aligned with AQA and Edexcel specifications and offer long-term academic support rather than ad-hoc tutoring sessions.
5. Sherpa Online
Sherpa Online is a growing UK tutoring platform offering live GCSE lessons delivered by qualified teachers rather than university students. Their tutors specialise in Maths, English, Science and humanities subjects. The platform supports interactive tools, screen sharing, recorded sessions and exam-focused teaching. Families choose Sherpa for its strong quality-control, verified tutors and clear GCSE exam board alignment.
6. Justin Craig Education
Justin Craig is well-known for its intensive GCSE and A-level revision courses held online and at centres across the UK. Their group revision days focus on exam technique, syllabus clarity, problem-solving and confidence building. These courses are popular among Year 10–11 students who need structured revision ahead of mocks and final exams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will all GCSE exams be digital by 2026?
No. AQA plans to introduce digital exams for the reading and listening components of Italian and Polish GCSEs from 2026. Larger subjects may not go digital until 2030. Most subjects will still have paper‑based components during the transition.
How do digital exams work?
Digital exams will replicate the layout of paper on screen. Pupils will type responses or interact with audio/video clips. Devices will be offline to prevent internet searches or AI use. Some exams may use adaptive or interactive elements in the future.
Can AI tools help my child prepare for GCSEs?
Yes. AI chatbots can summarise notes, generate practice questions and provide feedback. However, students must learn to verify AI outputs and avoid over‑reliance. Combining AI with professional tutoring yields the best results.
Will digital exams improve fairness?
Digital exams may reduce handwriting bias and benefit students with special needs. They also offer environmentally friendly assessments. Yet there is concern that unequal access to devices could widen the disadvantage gap. Schools and exam boards must invest in infrastructure to ensure equity.
How should tutors adjust their teaching?
Tutors should incorporate digital practice alongside traditional methods. They need to teach typing skills, digital navigation and offline exam conditions. Staying updated on exam board guidance and investing in secure online tutoring platforms UK is crucial.
Conclusion
The journey towards digital GCSE exams is underway. AQA’s pilots and proposals show that on‑screen assessments will gradually become part of the UK’s exam landscape, starting with language components in 2026. Generative AI tools offer powerful new revision opportunities, but they also raise questions about cheating, fairness and educational integrity.
As exams evolve, the role of the tutor becomes even more critical: guiding students through digital practice, teaching responsible AI use and ensuring that core literacy, numeracy and critical thinking skills endure. By blending technology with human expertise, qualified GCSE teachers and tutoring services like RS Remote Tutoring can help students thrive in this new era.