15th January 2026

This week's collection brings together the latest developments in assessment, testing, and educational measurement from around the globe. Topics include artificial intelligence applications in marking and item development, with notable contributions from Ofqual on AI principles for high-stakes assessment and practical insights from practitioners achieving expert-level agreement with AI-based scoring systems. Test security remains a key theme, with stories covering Pearson's upcoming palm-print authentication rollout, facial recognition implementation by India's UPSC, and enforcement actions against exam cheating apps in Kuwait. Meanwhile, legal challenges to cheating allegations in South Africa highlight the complexities of maintaining examination integrity whilst protecting candidate rights. The collection also features professional development opportunities, including webinars on novel item types, comparative judgement, and mark scheme optimisation, alongside career opportunities in assessment leadership at NFER. From regulatory updates and technology platform releases to research on the historical evolution of academic dishonesty, this edition offers resources for professionals across certification, higher education, K-12, and vocational assessment sectors. Disclaimer: The Test Community Network is not responsible for the content of external links. All linked materials are provided for informational purposes only, and their inclusion does not constitute endorsement. Users should verify information independently and review the terms of use of any external sites.