This year, the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB) has started testing a new digital format for some of its final exams. Instead of writing answers on paper, some students will take their exams on a computer. This change is part of the IB’s plan to modernize testing and make exams more efficient starting may of 2026 and are planning to finalize this by 2030.
The digital exams are being tried in selected schools around the world. Students will type t
heir answers and sometimes use tools on the computer to complete questions. The IB hopes that this system will make it easier to organize exams and faster to mark them.
Many schools are interested in this change because digital exams match the way students already learn today. Most assignments and research are done on computers, so using technology in exams may feel more natural for students.
However, there are also some concerns. Some students worry about technical problems, such as computers crashing or internet issues during the test. Schools will need to make sure their technology is reliable before switching fully to digital exams.
Even with these concerns, the IB believes digital testing could be the future. If the testing period goes well, more schools may start using computer-based exams in the coming years. For students in IB programs, this could mean that the way they take their final exams will soon look very different from the traditional paper tests.
