Digital Testing in India: The Road Ahead

India is in the midst of a digital transformation in education. From online learning to e-assessments, digitalization is becoming a core part of the educational ecosystem. As countries around the world embrace computer-based assessments (CBA), India’s K–12 schools are beginning to follow suit. But the path isn’t straightforward, and many hurdles remain.

For school leaders, this transformation holds great potential such as data-driven insights from assessments can inform curriculum changes, identify student learning gaps, and improve overall teaching quality. This article will discuss how India’s journey compares with the best practices from OECD countries, PISA, and NAEP to shape a future-ready assessment system.

The Global Shift to Digital Assessments

Many countries have made significant strides toward digital testing. These shifts not only modernize assessment tools but also bring deeper insights into student performance. The OECD’s PISA test and NAEP have been at the forefront of adopting computer-based testing (CBT) and adaptive testing models, setting a benchmark for other countries to follow.

PISA’s Digital Testing Approach

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), conducted by OECD, is one of the most well-known international assessments. Since 2015, PISA has fully transitioned to digital testing, offering more interactive and immersive ways to assess students' abilities .

PISA’s digital framework includes both online test delivery and interactive test items, which assess critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy. For example, the 2025 PISA cycle will focus on digital problem-solving, an area that is increasingly relevant in the modern world . India can learn from this by integrating digital literacy into its national assessments and encouraging interactive question formats that challenge students’ higher-order thinking skills.

NAEP’s Digital Transition

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in the United States provides another strong example of how digital assessments can be implemented at scale. NAEP fully transitioned to digital testing in 2025, using adaptive modules that adjust the difficulty of questions based on the student’s responses .

NAEP’s adaptive testing model allows for a more personalized assessment experience, offering a more accurate reflection of a student’s abilities. By using adaptive algorithms, the test customizes the difficulty of questions based on a student’s performance, providing a more precise measure of their skills . India could benefit from a similar model, especially for subjects like math, science, and language arts, where skills can vary widely among students.

India’s Current Digital Assessment Landscape

While global models provide valuable lessons, India’s transition to digital assessments is still in its early stages. Government initiatives such as DIKSHA, PM eVidya, and SWAYAM have created a strong foundation for digital content delivery, but digital assessments remain a work in progress.

Emerging Digital Assessment Initiatives

India’s National Achievement Survey (NAS) is one of the first national efforts to use digital platforms for large-scale assessments. Since 2021, NAS has started including digitized items for assessing student proficiency, allowing for faster data collection and more detailed reporting . Furthermore, CBSE has been experimenting with digital assessments for its affiliated schools, with more online assessments scheduled for 2025 .

The move towards adaptive assessments is also gaining traction in private schools. CISCE has begun piloting adaptive digital assessments for classes 9–12, focusing on subjects like English and Mathematics . These digital tests are a step forward, providing personalized feedback and the ability to assess students on a wider range of competencies.

However, challenges remain, especially in rural areas, where the infrastructure for digital assessments is still lacking. BharatNet’s push to extend broadband access to rural schools will be critical in bridging this gap, but the real challenge will be integrating digital assessments across the entire country.

Lessons from Global Models for India’s K-12 Schools

Private schools in India are uniquely positioned to lead the way in digital assessment adoption. Unlike government-run institutions, many private schools already have access to the necessary infrastructure, such as computers, smart classrooms, and internet connectivity. Therefore, India’s private schools can serve as early adopters of digital assessments.

1. Invest in Adaptive Testing

One of the key lessons from NAEP’s adaptive testing model is the importance of customizing assessments based on individual student performance. Adaptive tests provide more accurate assessments of a student’s abilities by adjusting the difficulty level of questions as the student progresses . Schools in India should consider adopting adaptive testing for subjects like Mathematics, Science, and English to ensure that each student is tested at the right level of difficulty.

2. Data-Driven Curriculum Design

Data from digital assessments can be used to inform curriculum changes. In countries like Finland and Singapore, data from assessments is used not only to track student progress but also to reshape the curriculum. For instance, Finland’s education system uses data from national assessments to highlight areas where the entire cohort is struggling, leading to curriculum adjustments at a national level .

Indian schools can adopt this approach by using data from digital assessments to identify trends and adjust the curriculum to better meet student needs. For example, if a large proportion of students perform poorly in certain areas (like algebra), the school can choose to spend more time on that topic before moving on to the next one.

3. Teacher Training and Professional Development

In many parts of the world, teacher training plays a critical role in the success of digital assessments. NAEP’s adaptive model requires teachers to understand data interpretation and how to adjust their teaching accordingly . Similarly, PISA results inform curriculum decisions across participating countries. Teachers in India’s private schools need to be trained to interpret digital assessment data and use it to inform their teaching strategies. This requires both technology training and data literacy.

4. Infrastructure Investment

While India’s private schools are often better equipped than government schools, infrastructure challenges still exist. Schools must ensure that their technology systems are robust enough to handle high-volume digital testing. This includes ensuring internet bandwidth, backup power, and proper maintenance of devices. Moreover, schools should invest in cloud-based assessment tools that allow for real-time data tracking and adjustments, rather than relying on outdated or fragmented systems.

Addressing the Challenges Ahead

India faces several challenges in transitioning to digital assessments. While infrastructure in urban and private schools is often adequate, rural and underfunded schools still lack the necessary technology.

1. Digital Divide

India’s digital divide remains a major obstacle. While private schools are ahead in adopting digital tools, the gap between urban and rural areas is significant. The government’s BharatNet initiative aims to address this, but infrastructure development remains slow, especially in remote areas .

2. Teacher Readiness

Teachers in many private schools are still adjusting to digital assessments. Training and professional development are essential for effective implementation. Schools must provide ongoing training in data interpretation and test customization to ensure that teachers can use assessment results to enhance student learning .

Conclusion

India is making strides toward digital assessments, but the path to full adoption requires careful planning, infrastructure investment, and teacher training. By studying successful models from NAEP, PISA, and other global initiatives, schools in India can accelerate the process and lead the way. Digital assessments will not only make testing more efficient but will also enable schools to provide personalized, data-driven learning.

GrowthJockey supports schools in this digital transformation with platforms like OttoScholar, which helps integrate assessment data into curriculum planning, offering actionable insights and fostering data-driven teaching decisions. India’s journey to digital assessments is in motion, and private schools have the opportunity to be the pioneers in this shift.

FAQs

Q1. How can India’s private schools benefit from digital assessments?
Ans. Private schools can lead the way in adopting digital assessments, using data to drive curriculum changes, personalize learning, and enhance teacher effectiveness.

Q2. What lessons can India learn from NAEP’s digital assessment model?
Ans. NAEP’s adaptive testing and real-time feedback offer a blueprint for how digital assessments can be used to enhance learning outcomes and improve teaching methods.

Q3. What is PISA’s role in digital testing?
Ans. PISA has adopted digital assessments to measure critical thinking and problem-solving skills, offering insights that India can use to design higher-order learning assessments.

Q4. What are the infrastructure challenges in adopting digital assessments in India?
Ans. Infrastructure challenges, such as lack of internet access and inadequate devices, persist, especially in rural areas. Private schools must invest in technology systems to bridge these gaps.

Q5. How does digital assessment data inform curriculum changes?
Ans. Data from digital assessments identifies areas where students are struggling, allowing schools to adjust curriculum pacing and focus on topics that need improvement.