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Michael Draper argues that essay mills are not the only challenge universities face around assessment

During the Covid-19 pandemic, assessment was necessarily moved online, as was much of the learning and teaching behind it. This frequently resulted in assessments being undertaken by students remotely within a timeframe that was sometimes more generous than that for in-person invigilated assessments.

A number of institutions invested in remote proctoring arrangements and software, but research undertaken by the Quality Assurance Agency found that this was not universally adopted—and even where it was adopted, it had mixed results. Reported challenges included students’ lack of access to stable IT, good connectivity and appropriate devices and equipment; difficulties with identity verification; and the stress and pressure experienced by students undertaking assessments in an unfamiliar environment.