Students should practise on-screen exams in the real interface, under real timing. Use Cambridge’s demonstration tests and Digital Mocks or Pearson’s Sandbox, then build typing speed and on-screen pacing through regular timed practice. On-screen papers are the same length as paper ones, and Cambridge’s Digital Mocks have no spellcheck, so accuracy and speed have to be practised.
What is different about sitting an exam on screen?
The content is the same; the skills around it are not. Cambridge says “the digital exams are the same duration as the paper-based exams”. Pearson says its onscreen questions “are the same and the exams are taken at the same time - the only difference is the format”. What changes is how students read, plan, write and check. Long answers are typed, not handwritten. Students navigate between questions instead of flicking through pages, and annotation uses on-screen tools.
What tools do students get in on-screen exams?
Both boards provide annotation and navigation tools. Students who know them before the exam lose less time.
| Tool | Cambridge digital exams | Pearson onscreen |
|---|---|---|
| Highlighter | Yes; plus sticky notes | Yes; plus sticky notes |
| Notepad | ”Most exams will have a notepad”; notes not marked | Onscreen notepad; blank paper can also be provided |
| Flag questions | Yes; flagged questions show on a Summary page | Not stated |
| Timer | Counts down by default; can count up or be hidden | Not stated |
| Word count | Shown for free-response questions where enabled | Not stated |
| Formatting | Bullet points, bold, italic in longer responses | Not stated |
| Display | Background colours, font size (essays), line height, zoom | Zoom, colour filters |
| Spellcheck | ”No spellcheck feature in the Digital Mocks” | Not stated |
| Saving | ”All answers are saved automatically” | Work saved locally if connection drops |
Sources: Cambridge support and guidance for digital exams, candidate guide and Digital Mocks FAQ; Pearson onscreen FAQs.
The spellcheck point matters most for English and humanities. Cambridge says: “If spelling and grammar are part of the assessment criteria, they will be marked accordingly.”
How should students practise typing for on-screen exams?
Regularly, under time pressure, and on the kind of answer they will write. Cambridge notes that “digital mocks provide an opportunity for learners to practice and develop their typing and digital skills”, and extra time is available through normal access arrangements. For students who type slowly, the fix is weeks of practice, not a technique for exam day. Three habits help:
- Type extended answers in timed conditions at least fortnightly from Year 10, without spellcheck switched on.
- Plan in the notepad before typing, as students would on paper, so structure does not suffer.
- Proofread in the last minutes, because there is no spellcheck to catch errors.
Which official practice tests should schools use?
Both boards provide practice in the real interface:
- Cambridge: interactive tutorials on navigation, exam tools and answering questions, a “Test drive a digital exam” demonstration, and demonstration tests for each syllabus. The formal step is Digital Mocks: the next series runs from 18 January to 14 March 2027, and expressions of interest close on 25 October 2026. Cambridge reports that “over 45,000 digital mock exams have been sat by learners in 66 countries”.
- Pearson: sample assessment materials in the Sandbox, available to teachers, students and parents, where “any responses submitted within the Sandbox are not saved”. Pearson also offers a paid mock service marked by its examiners.
Neither board supports tablets for these exams. Cambridge does “not recommend the use of tablets or mobile phones”, and Pearson says “tablets cannot be used”, so practise on the devices students will use.
How should pacing change on screen?
Plan the paper with the flag and summary tools rather than by page position. On paper, students can see how much is left. On screen, they need the Summary page and the timer. A simple routine: answer what you know, flag the rest, check the summary at the halfway point, and leave five minutes to review flagged questions and proofread. Practise it in every timed session until it is automatic.
How schools do this with AI Buddy
AI Buddy gives students regular on-screen practice with past-paper-style questions across 26 IGCSE and A Level subjects, marked instantly with feedback. Teachers use the test builder to set timed tests, so students build typing speed and on-screen pacing between official Cambridge or Pearson practice sessions. The dashboard shows which students run out of time or lose accuracy on screen. AI Buddy is not either board’s exam platform and does not replicate it.
Frequently asked questions
How should students practise for on-screen exams?
Use the boards’ own practice tools (Cambridge demonstration tests and Digital Mocks, Pearson’s Sandbox), then build typing and pacing with regular timed on-screen practice.
Is there spellcheck in Cambridge digital exams?
Cambridge’s Digital Mocks have no spellcheck, and spelling is marked where it is part of the assessment criteria.
Are on-screen exams longer or shorter than paper exams?
The same length. Cambridge’s digital exams have the same duration as the paper-based versions.
Can students use tablets for on-screen IGCSE exams?
No. Cambridge does not recommend tablets or phones, and Pearson does not allow tablets.
For which subjects are on screen, see Cambridge digital exams and Edexcel onscreen exams.
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Sources
- Cambridge International, Support and guidance for digital exams and Our approach
- Cambridge International, Candidate guide for taking exams and Digital Mocks FAQ
- Cambridge International, Digital Mocks support resources
- Pearson, Onscreen assessment FAQs and Onscreen assessment