Home Office Moves Towards ‘Digital by Default’ English Language Testing
2 Min Read
The UK Home Office has taken a major step towards introducing a digital-first approach to English language testing, as part of its ongoing procurement process for the new Home Office English Language Test (HOELT).
In its fifth call for information, the Home Office outlined plans to make “digital by default” the cornerstone of the service. The proposal suggests remote proctoring will become the primary mode of delivery, with physical test centres available only where digital solutions are not practical.
The HOELT, to be delivered in the UK and internationally, is expected to assess candidates across speaking, listening, and, in some cases, reading and writing skills, covering levels A1 to C1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
The move represents a significant policy shift. Current UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) rules exclude all digital tests from the list of approved Secure English Language Tests (SELTs). The shift to digital therefore signals a broader government strategy to modernise visa-related testing.
While the Home Office has not confirmed whether the HOELT will be used for university admissions or study visas, previous indications suggest it will primarily serve work and migration visa routes. This leaves questions unanswered for the higher education sector, which has long sought more flexibility in English language testing for international students.
Earlier rounds of consultation examined the capability of the market to deliver secure digital tests, highlighting concerns around global capacity, security, and the reliability of remote proctoring. These issues remain at the forefront of sector discussions as the Home Office pushes forward with its digital-first ambitions.
Suppliers wishing to engage in the consultation must register through the Home Office’s eSourcing Portal. With testing policy at the heart of the UK’s migration system, the outcome of this consultation could have wide-ranging implications for applicants and institutions worldwide.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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