H2 China Studies in English and China Studies in Chinese: 1st Hybrid eWritten exams for Humanities
2025 marks another milestone for our e-Examinations journey, as Hybrid e-Written examinations are first introduced for Humanities Subjects at GCE A-Level. For both A-Level China Studies in English (CSE) and China Studies in Chinese (CSC), candidates will receive physical question papers and submit their responses digitally through SEAB's e-Examination system using the Digital Answer Booklet (DAB).
In preparation for the 2025 GCE A-Level e-Written Examinations, practice sessions were conducted in April this year. These practice sessions were designed to familiarise candidates with their respective examination formats before the year-end examinations.
A CSE practice session at Yishun Innova Junior College
The shift to electronic examinations for CSE and CSC is driven by three key factors: First, candidates are already well-prepared through their regular use of the Singapore Student Learning Space (SLS) and Personal Learning Devices (PLDs) introduced in 2021. Second, computer-based writing offers valuable editing capabilities that help candidates better plan, organise, and refine their essays for improved clarity and coherence. Finally, this transition helps prepare candidates for the digital nature of the modern workplace, preparing our students for the world of work.
Cover page of the CSE DAB
The CSE e-written examination practice sessions were successfully conducted with 137 candidates from Anglo-Chinese Junior College, Jurong Pioneer Junior College, Victoria Junior College, and Yishun Innova Junior College. The sessions demonstrated a seamless login process and straightforward access to the DAB. Students responded positively to the hybrid format, particularly appreciating the use of physical question papers for answer planning and annotation while typing their responses digitally. Features of the DAB that were especially well-received by candidates were the timer and editing tools. Candidates also found value in the review and bookmark functions, which enabled them to easily track and return to partially completed or questions not attempted, so that they could return to them easily. Majority of the students liked the experience of taking the computer-based exam and prefer it to paper-based exams.
A candidate planning his responses using the hardcopy question paper
A total of 164 candidates from Dunman High School, Eunoia Junior College, Hwa Chong Institution, and River Valley High School participated in the CSC e-written examination practice sessions. Most candidates expressed comfort with typing in Chinese Language and preferred taking the examination on a computer rather than writing on paper. They appreciated the ease of editing and organising their responses in the DAB.
Candidates taking CSC practice session paper at Hwa Chong Institution
The practice sessions for both China Studies in English and China Studies in Chinese proved highly successful, with candidates demonstrating confidence and competence in navigating their respective examination formats. Students' positive experience and readiness to handle the hybrid e-Exam format bode well for the upcoming examinations in November. Moreover, the smooth implementation and favourable reception of these practice sessions serve as an encouraging precedent for the future rollout of e-Written examinations across other GCE A-Level subjects in the coming years.
