Exam authorities have abandoned attempts to put senior school exams online by next year for non-literary subjects such as maths, science and geography.

The NZ Qualifications Authority (NZQA) says trials have discovered that students found it difficult to draw mathematical symbols, formulas, diagrams and maps online.

Post Primary Teacher's Association president Jack Boyle told Mike Hosking the digital divide throws up challenges, as does New Zealand's assessment model.

"I think it's a good thing NZQA have decided to slow down. Subjects which include graphs and charts like maths and science need to be right before they are put online and assessed."

He says highly standardised testing seen in overseas, such as multi-choice testing, can be easier to put online.

With students growing up in a digital world, Boyle says its second nature for many of them to be doing the exams online.

"What the statistics are showing us is that students who are using online examinations are saying they prefer doing it this way.

"It also comes down to the nature of assessment. In other countries, it's easier for them to put things online compared to here in New Zealand." 

Online in 2018

Classical Studies

English

Media Studies

Online from 2019

Agricultural & Horticultural Science

Art History

Business Studies

Education for Sustainability

Health

History

Home Economics

Latin Levels 1 & 2

Social Studies

Te Reo Māori Level 1

Te Reo Rangatira Level 1

Likely to be online from 2020

Accounting

Cook Islands Māori

French

German

Japanese

Korean

Samoan

Spanish

Te Reo Māori Levels 2 & 3

Te Reo Rangatira Levels 2 & 3

Tongan