Updated JCQ guidance: use of artificial intelligence in assessments

Thursday 15 Feb 2024

The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has published updated guidance on artificial intelligence (AI) use in assessments.

The updates follow on from feedback from a recent survey and include some real-life malpractice examples to help teachers and learners complete coursework successfully and to inform school and college policies.

Summary of changes

The updated JCQ guidance now includes:

• real-life candidate malpractice examples involving AI that has not been referenced appropriately (see new appendix A)
• information on how to authenticate private candidate work
• a new section – AI use and marking – to give clearer guidance on the impact on marking of student use of AI tools and on the use of AI tools by assessors when marking, with real-life examples (see new appendix B)
• an extended list of AI tools and AI detection tools.

Further help and support

To give more support to teachers and learners, the JCQ has also developed the following resources:

• AI and assessments: a quick guide for students (information sheet) – this is to help students better understand the rules for use of AI in assessments
• AI and assessments: a quick guide for students (PowerPoint presentation) – for teachers to use with students to help them better understand the rules for use of AI
• Preventing AI misuse in assessment: a summary for teachers (information sheet) – this is to help teachers understand and prevent AI misuse
• Preventing AI misuse in assessment: a summary for teachers (PowerPoint presentation) – for senior leaders to use with their teaching colleagues to help them better understand and prevent AI misuse

The following JCQ documents can be used alongside the JCQ 'AI use in assessments' guidance:

• Instructions for conducting coursework
• Instructions for conducting non-examination assessments
• Information for candidates – coursework assessments
• Information for candidates – non-examination assessments
• Suspected malpractice policies and procedures
• Plagiarism in assessments: guidance for teachers/assessors

You can find out more in the JCQ's recent blog.