Is it time to bring back oral exams?

From Nights, 8:10 pm on 2 October 2025

This week RNZ revealed several universities have given up using software to detect the use of AI in student work.

Massey, Auckland and Victoria universities say the detection was unreliable, and now let students use AI responsibly in much of their work.

So, with AI tools able to produce essays, reports and case studies in seconds, how can education providers be sure they are assessing a student's own understanding and reasoning?

Auckland University's Business School Professional Teaching Fellow Patrick Dodd tells Mark Leishman why it's time to bring back oral assessments.

people, learning, education and school concept - close up of students hands with books or textbooks writing to notebooks

Photo: 123RF