Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

Working with national assessment body, AQA, DRS provided its full suite of e-Marker® examination processing and marking solutions, designed to add value and improve the accuracy of the examination and assessment process.

e-Marker was used for around 50 per cent of AQA’s GCSE exam papers this year following a successful trial on the Foundation and Higher Modern French exam sat by around 30,000 students.

Andrew Bird, AQA deputy director general intends to roll out the new technology to all examiners.

He said: “The technology streamlines the process for examiners.

“It releases them from many of the administrative functions of the conventional system and allows them to concentrate on the key task – accurate and efficient marking.

“The technology also allows us to conduct enhanced checking and quality control, which has a direct impact on the accuracy of the marking process. Security is also increased as we are using bank standard systems.”

DRS has specialised in data capture since 1969.

As well as exam work, the firm provides tools to support election services in politically sensitive regions such as Bosnia, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Oman and was used in the London Mayor, Assembly and EU elections.