Online vs Offline Exams: Making the Choice

Choosing between an online and an offline exam format is rarely an all-or- nothing decision for an institution; more often it is a question of which format fits which exam, cohort and stakes level. This guide lays out the comparison so that decision can be made deliberately.

What this guide covers

• Definitions of online and offline exams as used in this guide
• Features and benefits associated with online exam delivery
• Challenges specific to offline, in-person exam administration
• Where each format is a better fit, based on scale, location and stakes

Who it is for

Academic decision-makers and controllers of examination weighing which format to use for a given exam or programme.

Online exams remove the need for candidates to travel to a fixed location and can be taken from any location with an internet connection, which particularly benefits candidates facing scheduling or distance constraints. The guide treats that as one factor among several, not an automatic reason to move every exam online.