The challenge: Preparing for a digital future with multiple tools
As an IB world school known for innovation, Ecolint keeps a close eye on upcoming digital changes to assessment—especially the IB’s intention to move Diploma Programme (DP) exams to computer-based formats in the near future.
Richard, ICT Campus Partner at Ecolint’s Campus des Nations, wanted to ensure that teachers and students would be future-ready for these changes:
“It’s a juggernaut that’s coming—online exams are inevitable, whether it’s two, three, or five years from now.”
However, Richard noted that teachers were already using a range of digital tools for quizzes and tests, from Google Docs to interactive assessment apps. This patchwork approach was difficult to manage and left some staff unconvinced or anxious about large-scale on-screen exams. Ecolint needed a consolidated, IB-aligned platform that could support multiple subjects, offer robust ManageBac integration, and ease teachers into digital testing.
The solution: AssessPrep’s unified assessment platform
After evaluating options, Ecolint chose AssessPrep in February 2023 (piloting it intensively from around November 2023 as an official customer). The goal: one solution for creating, delivering, and grading secure digital exams. Even though it was “early days” in their journey, Ecolint achieved a landmark success by the end of the academic year—using AssessPrep to administer the entire Year 11 Individuals & Societies (I&S) exam online.
“Five separate teachers created five separate tests for all our Year 11s in the hall. Every student had a laptop, and it just worked. That’s the biggest check in my book—seeing it run at scale with zero drama.”
ManageBac integration
The seamless ManageBac integration was a major factor in Ecolint’s choice. Richard appreciated how teachers could push final marks straight into the ManageBac gradebook:
“That’s super important for a school like ours. The grades go straight back into the system—one button, no manual data entry.”
Flexible deployment – pen & paper or fully digital
Although Ecolint aims to prepare for fully digital IB exams, the DP remains mostly handwritten. The school thus values hybrid workflows: teachers can print an AssessPrep exam as a structured PDF for pen-and-paper tests, then scan and upload submissions into the platform for grading. According to Richard, this flexibility also helps with staff who prefer traditional formats:
“Some teachers even printed the exams from AssessPrep and said, ‘This is really good—it formats nicely!’ They were pleasantly surprised that it was straightforward to incorporate.”
Impact & results: Streamlined exams, AI grading, and future-readiness
Despite only a few months of active use, Ecolint has seen notable benefits across the board:
Year 11 exams at scale
Full I&S department adoption: The entire humanities department delivered a large-scale exam through AssessPrep. Students took the exam simultaneously in a hall using laptops, and teachers confidently managed the process—showing that the platform can handle high-stakes internal exams with ease.
Positive teacher feedback: Even staff who weren’t “particularly tech-savvy” found online marking simpler than expected. “They thought it would be difficult, but found it quick and intuitive,” Richard said.
AI-assisted marking
Ecolint staff have begun experimenting with AssessPrep’s AI marking to speed up grading and produce automated feedback. Richard found the AI-generated remarks helpful for teaching:
“I told my students, ‘AI marks this like a real examiner who doesn’t know you.’ They realized they have to be precise in their answers. It becomes a teaching point.”
Crucially, AssessPrep’s AI is designed to include the teacher in the loop—educators confirm or adjust each suggested mark rather than just pressing a single button:
“There’s a slight pause while it processes the student’s answer. I actually like that. It stops teachers from just hitting a button and walking away, and makes you read it and check.”
DP question bank & the “Passport” resource
AssessPrep’s DP question bank, part of the “Passport” bundle offered via ManageBac, gives teachers access to a broad library of 500+ IB-aligned assessments. Ecolint teachers plan to leverage these items for short quizzes, mock exams, and daily practice. Richard noted:
“We still prepare our students for handwritten exams now, but it’s brilliant to have an online DP question bank ready for the future. If we ever need to pivot, we have the resources.”
Administrative confidence & budget validation
Bringing on AssessPrep was a “considered purchase,” says Richard:
“We had to make sure you were a proper company that would stay around. Seeing the usage and the reliability so far reassures me—this is worth it.”
With stable results and strong staff adoption, Richard can now demonstrate to leadership that the platform adds enough value to justify annual licensing costs. He’s also requested detailed usage reports by subject to highlight which departments are most active and which need further encouragement.
Final word from Ecolint
Ecolint’s journey with AssessPrep underscores the power of an all-in-one digital assessment solution. Even in the early stages, the school saw:
Seamless Department-Wide Exams: 100+ Year 11 students simultaneously tested with zero technical snags.
Time-Saving AI Marking: Teachers found it valuable and easy to supervise.
Flexibility for Pen & Paper: Printable, well-structured exams for traditional or hybrid use.
Confidence in IB Digital Transition: A future-proof platform that aligns with the IB’s on-screen exam roadmap.
“Online assessment is coming. We don’t want to be caught off guard. AssessPrep lets us step in gradually, showing teachers it’s possible, reliable, and even easy.”
—Richard, ICT Campus Partner, Ecolint
