Speaking on an Ofqual podcast, chief regulator Ian Bauckham said advances in technology were creating fresh challenges for schools and exam boards, with wearable devices emerging as a growing threat.
The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation said internet-connected gadgets, including smart glasses and concealed earpieces, are already being marketed to consumers, while incidents involving mobile phones and smartwatches continue to rise.
Last summer, Ofqual recorded 2,225 cases of malpractice linked to phones and other connected devices during GCSE, AS and A-level assessments, making technology-related cheating the most common form of exam misconduct for the seventh consecutive year.
Bauckham also revealed that coursework components of qualifications are coming under increased scrutiny as schools grapple with the growing use of artificial intelligence by students.
He said regulators were under pressure to respond quickly as technology evolves, noting that newer devices increasingly offer the same online capabilities as smartphones while being harder to spot.
Among the options being considered are tighter checks on coursework authenticity, with teachers potentially required to verify students’ work more regularly before it is submitted for assessment.
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