Students allowed Internet access during exams as part of trial project

[27.05.2010]

Danish High School students are sitting their exams at the moment. Some of them will be among the first ever to have completed exams with the aid of access to the Internet.

During the next two weeks, a total of 60 classes will be part of a project trialling the use of the Internet during exams. It is the first time ever that prohibition has been lifted on use of the World Wide Web in exam contexts.

Tested in six subjects

This time round the new exam form will be tested in six subjects and at a limited number of schools. During the autumn of 2007, schools were able to apply to be part of the trial project. Consequently, teachers and students have had two and a half years to prepare for the changes in the usual exam proceedings.

Between the application period and now, four tests for each subject have been sent out for the schools to use for example as part of terms. Furthermore, teachers assigned to oversee the trial project at their respective schools have held meetings with the test commissions. These initiatives have been put in place in order to make sure the development of the new exam form happens in close dialogue between all implicated parts.

Monitored by evaluation group

The trial project has been closely monitored by an evaluation group under the governance of Peder Østergaard, Vice Dean at Aarhus School of Business, Aarhus University. So far three provisional reports have been issued – the latest in March 2010. The final report is due by the end of August 2010.

The trial project is set to continue in 2011 when approximately 6.000 students will have the aid of Internet access at their disposal during exams.