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AI assisted exam marking

AQA has been selected for a major research investment

The next step for AI in education

AQA, in collaboration with King’s College London, is leading a major research initiative to develop a new AI-enabled system to support the marking and grading of high-stakes school examinations.

This project, selected by The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) from a highly competitive field, reflects our position at the forefront of innovation in education and assessment.

About AQA Global

The research and technology used by AQA has made it the UK’s leading exam board. At AQA Global Assessment Services we make those benefits available to education systems worldwide.

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Why this project matters

Every year, millions of students in the UK take end of school exams that shape their future opportunities in higher education, training and employment. These assessments are marked by experienced professionals using well-established processes that ensure fairness and rigour.

As education systems evolve, so too must the tools that support them. This project looks ahead to how artificial intelligence can complement and enhance existing marking practices, making them even more consistent, transparent, and efficient. In line with our ethical approach to AI, it will be designed to better enable the application of human expertise, not to replace it.

The project responds to growing global interest in how AI can be used responsibly in education. It also reflects the increasing demand for assessment systems that are both high-quality and scalable, particularly in contexts where resources are stretched and innovation is needed.

A partnership built on expertise

This Prosperity Partnership Funding initiative brings together our 120 years of assessment experience with King’s College London’s internationally recognised research in AI. Together, we are developing a modular AI system that will support human examiners in evaluating written responses, such as essays and short answers, across a range of subjects.

The virtual examiner assistant will be able to check student answers for relevance, factual accuracy, thoroughness and coherence, providing useful information for examiners as they decide on a mark. Where the AI does suggest a possible mark or range of marks, it will also provide clear explanations for its suggestion, helping to ensure transparency and trust.

“We’re delighted to have this opportunity to bring a research-led approach to the use of AI in assessment. With this new investment, we can develop new exam marking tools with an ethical framework in mind and evidence-based research in place to ensure reliability. This is just the first step in shaping a future where AI can be used with confidence to never let a learner down.”

- Cesare Aloisi, Head of AI for Assessment Innovations, AQA

Benefits for learners, educators, and leaders

The project is designed to deliver wide-reaching benefits:

Learners can be confident that examiners assessing their work are supported by cutting-edge technology
Schools and teachers will save time and resources with fewer requests to review or challenge exam marks due to improved marking consistency
Examiners will get tools to assist their work, allowing them to focus on applying their subject knowledge
Universities and employers can be more confident in the quality of their applicants’ qualifications thanks to increased quality assurance
Governments and regulators will see improved consistency and quality in test results.

A research-based approach

This work is grounded in research, guided by educational expertise, and aligned with international best practices for the ethical use of AI. It reflects the need for transparent and accountable AI systems, particularly in high-stakes settings such as education.

This is a forward-looking investment in the future of education, one that combines the best of human expertise with the potential of AI to support fair, reliable, and high-quality assessment for all.

World-leading research drives everything we do

If you want to lead modernisation with confidence, partner with AQA Global. Our experts can help you to introduce reliable, evidence backed technology, so your teams have the best tools to work with and your students have the best chance of success.

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