 On-screen testing is already being piloted in some schools |
All school tests for children aged seven, 11 and 14 should be available on computers within five years, the exams watchdog for England has said. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority said there was a "massive potential" to develop assessment.
Its chief executive, Ken Boston, added that ministers had to be "on the front foot" in looking at ways of improving the National Curriculum.
But preventing exam fraud had to remain "absolutely crucial".
Advances in technology
Speaking at an "e-assessment" conference at the Royal Festival Hall in London, Dr Boston said: "On-screen assessment will shortly touch the life of every learner in this country.
"Advances in technology have given us the opportunity to access and record aspects of human achievement that have been difficult to capture in the past.
"There is a massive potential to increase participation, learning and performance, making this country more competitive on the world stage."
The QCA would carry out its role as "e-regulator", he added.
Schemes involving some GCSEs and national tests for 14 year olds are already being tested.
The QCA recently said pupils could sit some GCSE papers online within the next two to five years.
Meanwhile, the exam board Edexcel began pilots in 2000 and has been involved in trials in Northern Ireland with the exams watchdog there, the CCEA.
It is carrying out a pilot scheme for online GCSEs in chemistry, biology, physics and geography with 200 schools and colleges across the West Midlands and the west of England.
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