Widespread use of summative online unsupervised remote (SOUR) examinations in UK higher education: ethical and quality assurance implications

Abstract

The use of summative online unsupervised remote (SOUR) examinations is associated with high levels of cheating, which increased further during the COVID lockdown. New generative AI chatbots have added further concern, since they can answer exam questions to a very high level. However, it is currently unclear how common these unsupervised examinations are. A Freedom of Information request methodology was used to determine whether universities in the United Kingdom used SOUR examinations in the 23/24 academic year. Extensive use of these examinations was found with minimal plans to reduce them for future years. Policies for the security of SOUR examinations often put students in the paradoxical position of being required to work under ‘examination conditions’ remotely, but with no attempt by the university to administer those conditions. This situation raises questions over the validity of SOUR examinations as an assessment format and the quality assurance of degree awards that include these assessments