Can standardised tests lead to a generation of leaders who lack creativity? A study lends credence to the idea that these tests neither measure nor encourage the creative skills needed to come up with original and ground-breaking research questions.

Australia is attempting to break the mould by exploring the use of learner profiles—school-based activities, hobbies, community work and even part-time work—to assess university applicants. However, this also presents a danger of widening inequality; those who can afford enrichment classes and experiences would inevitably have a more well-rounded profile.

Academics from Newcastle University went a step further to suggest that predictive analytics can accurately match students to their best-fit pathway by the end of Year 11. Students no longer need to cram for their high-stakes examinations in Year 12, freeing up their final year to acquire real-world experiences and grow skillsets.

In an increasingly volatile world, what matters most is not a letter grade, but the skills and attitudes we possess. Our assessment systems need to reflect this shift.