SEAB e-Examinations | Digital Papers, Personal Learning Devices and Candidate Preparation

SEAB has used electronic examinations in national assessments since 2013. Depending on the subject and examination, a candidate may complete an oral, written or practical component using an electronic examination system. In some assessments, students view a question paper in one format and enter their responses into a Digital Answer Booklet. These arrangements are designed for particular papers; they do not mean that every national examination has become fully digital.

SEAB also introduced a phased pilot for the use of students’ Personal Learning Devices in national e-Examinations from 2025 to 2030. The pilot is being expanded in stages and involves participating schools and specified examination components. Parents should therefore distinguish a general e-Examination resource from a school-specific PLD pilot arrangement. Students must follow the instructions given for their examination, school and year.

Understand what e-Examinations mean and which components may be electronic.
Use the subject-specific SEAB e-Exam guide and video tutorials.
Distinguish a school-provided examination device from a student’s own PLD used in a pilot.
Learn the relevant Digital Answer Booklet or e-Oral interface before the examination.
Follow school instructions on device preparation, permitted applications and connectivity.
Do not assume that a personal laptop or tablet can be brought into any examination.
Report technical problems to the invigilator and follow official directions.

1. What is an e-Examination?

An e-Examination is an examination component conducted using an electronic system. The format depends on the subject and paper. Candidates may interact with digital prompts, video or audio stimuli, enter answers electronically or complete practical tasks using a computer-based environment.

Electronic delivery does not remove the syllabus requirements. Students are still expected to demonstrate the knowledge and skills described in the relevant subject syllabus. The device is the medium through which a particular assessment is delivered or answered; it is not a substitute for subject knowledge.

SEAB’s e-Exam resources pages provide guidance for school and private candidates. The guides are subject-specific, so a student should select the resource that matches the exact subject and component rather than assume that one tutorial applies to every digital examination.

2. e-Oral examinations

Some oral examinations use electronic systems. SEAB’s e-Exam resources include interactive guides to help candidates understand the format and requirements for particular language examinations. The system may present video or other visual stimuli and provide the sequence of tasks for the candidate.

Students should practise the interface as well as the oral skill. They need to understand how to listen to instructions, view the stimulus, prepare their response and interact with the system as required. Familiarity with the interface reduces avoidable uncertainty, but the quality of the response still depends on the student’s language comprehension, organisation and communication.

Do not memorise a response to a sample stimulus and assume it can be reused. The actual prompt may differ. Practise expressing ideas clearly, supporting a point, responding to the task and managing preparation time.

3. e-Written examinations and the Digital Answer Booklet

Some written examination components use electronic answer submission. SEAB’s resources provide guides and videos for the relevant subjects. In a Digital Answer Booklet, candidates type responses in the designated system while following the question and paper instructions.

Students should become familiar with the available functions, such as entering text, navigating between questions and managing responses, to the extent shown in the official tutorial. They should also practise clear written expression on a keyboard if the subject requires typed answers.

Digital familiarity should not be confused with general computer confidence. A student who uses a tablet for entertainment may still need to practise typing structured answers, reading a digital prompt carefully and following the examination interface. Use only the authorised tutorial and school practice environment.

4. Computer-based practical examinations

Some subjects include practical or applied digital components. SEAB’s e-Exam resources page lists subject-specific guidance where an electronic or computer-based practical component is used. Candidates should check whether a guide, video or online tutorial is available for the relevant examination year.

Practical assessment remains focused on the intended subject skills. A candidate may need to use software, manipulate data or complete a task in a specified environment. The school will advise on the relevant preparation and any practice opportunities.

Parents should not independently install software or change a school-managed device to imitate an examination environment. Follow the teacher’s instructions and use only approved resources.

5. What is the Personal Learning Device pilot?

SEAB’s 2 May 2026 update explains that e-Examinations have been implemented since 2013 using school-owned devices. As part of the Personalised Digital Learning Programme, secondary students use Personal Learning Devices regularly in classroom learning and assessment. SEAB initiated a two-stage pilot for using students’ own PLDs in national e-Examinations over six years, from 2025 to 2030.

The stated purpose is to allow participating students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills using a device with which they are familiar. SEAB describes research and studies involving students using different types of PLDs, including Chromebooks, iPads and Windows laptops. The update reports that the studies found no significant differences in performance attributable to device type in the time-based assessments studied.

The 2025 first phase involved students from Crest Secondary School and Spectra Secondary School using PLDs for specified N(T)-Level e-Examination components. SEAB reported that 354 students sat the relevant English, Science and Mother Tongue Language components using their PLDs, and that close to 90% reported feeling comfortable using them.

This is a phased pilot, not a blanket permission for all students to bring personal devices into all examinations. The pilot is planned across 2025 to 2030 and expands in stages. A student should use a personal device only when the school and examination instructions confirm that the candidate is part of the approved arrangement.

6. Why a familiar device still needs preparation

Using a device regularly in class can make an electronic examination feel more familiar, but examination use has its own conditions. The device may need specific settings, applications, restrictions or preparation steps. Students and teachers must follow the school’s instructions and any SEAB requirements.

Students should practise the examination task, not merely open the device and confirm that it works. They need to know how to access the required system, respond to prompts, manage the answer booklet and alert an invigilator if a problem occurs. The exact skills depend on the paper.

Parents should not attempt to change security settings, install extra applications or troubleshoot a school device without permission. If the device has a fault, report it to the school early. The school will advise what the candidate should do and what support is available.

7. School candidates and private candidates

SEAB provides separate e-Exam resources pages for school and private candidates. This distinction matters because the examination environment, device arrangements and preparation instructions may differ. A school candidate should use the resource linked from the school’s examination page and follow teacher guidance. A private candidate should use the private-candidate resource and the information on the Candidates Portal.

Do not assume that a private candidate may use a personal device in the same way as a student participating in a school PLD pilot. The examination venue and required computing equipment are governed by the official arrangements. Follow the entry information and current instructions.

8. How parents can support digital readiness

Ask which subjects or components use electronic examination systems in the relevant year. Find the correct SEAB resource and encourage the student to complete the available tutorial. Ask the school whether there will be a practice session and what device requirements apply.

Help the student maintain a reliable routine with the device used for learning. Ensure that the student can type accurately enough for the task, read on-screen instructions and manage files or text as required. Do not introduce a new device or keyboard layout immediately before the examination unless the school directs it.

Balance screen-based practice with the subject learning itself. A student can become comfortable with the interface but still need to improve content knowledge, reasoning and communication. Both aspects matter, and the syllabus determines the learning objectives.

9. What if something goes wrong during an e-Examination?

If the screen freezes, the candidate cannot access a task, the answer booklet does not respond or another technical issue occurs, the student should alert the invigilator immediately. Follow the instructions given. Do not communicate with other candidates, attempt unauthorised fixes or leave the examination area without permission.

Invigilators and the examination centre have procedures for technical incidents. The candidate’s role is to report the issue clearly and promptly. A parent should not contact other candidates to reconstruct an incident while the paper is in progress; wait for the official school or SEAB communication.

If a technical issue affects the candidate’s ability to complete the examination, follow the school’s reporting process and preserve any relevant information requested. The appropriate response depends on the nature of the incident and the official examination procedures.

10. e-Examinations do not change the need for examination rules

Electronic examinations are still national examinations. Candidates remain bound by the rules on unauthorised devices, communication, identity, permitted materials and conduct. A student must not use another application, online resource, messaging service or stored information unless explicitly permitted by the examination instructions.

For personal devices used under an approved pilot, follow the specified preparation and restrictions. For school-owned devices, follow the school and examination-centre instructions. A familiar laptop is not automatically an authorised examination device.

11. Build a simple digital preparation checklist

Confirm whether the subject has an e-Examination component. Open the correct SEAB resource for the subject and candidate category. Complete the tutorial. Practise the relevant interface through the approved school process. Confirm whether a school-owned device or an approved PLD pilot applies. Check the school’s device preparation instructions. Learn how to report technical problems. Read the examination rules.

The student should be able to explain which components are electronic, which device arrangement applies and what to do if a technical issue occurs. This gives the candidate a clear plan without creating unnecessary worry about technology.

Official SEAB references

e-Examination arrangements and the PLD pilot are subject- and school-specific. Follow the current SEAB instructions and your school’s directions. This guide does not authorise a candidate to bring or use a personal device in an examination.