Petition · past parliament · Department for Education

Require exam boards to give all students the option to type their exam answers

Closed 31 signatures

What the petition asks

All students should be given the choice of whether they want to write or type text-based exams, by default. At the moment, for a student to be able to use a computer to take their exams, the school or college has to apply to the relevant exam board for each student individually.
In many workplaces, work is carried out on a computer - paper and pen are often not used. Therefore, it makes no sense that A-level students are forced to hand-write their examinations with a pen, when they are about to enter the world of work where typing is the only option in many sectors. Additionally, the vast majority of work this year (and last) has been on a computer, rather than on paper, so students risk losing deserved marks if their handwriting is unintelligible.

Timeline

25 Jun 2021 Petition opened for signatures
25 Dec 2021 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 31
Status Closed
Department Department for Education
Opened 25 Jun 2021
Closed 25 Dec 2021

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.