Scottish schoolchildren will become the first in the UK to take their exams online in a new initiative sponsored by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). 

The students, all volunteers, include 120 candidates in 10 centres spread across the country. They will sit in front of computers to take a multiple choice exam in Intermediate 2 or Higher Biotechnology.

The students will be overseen by invigilators the whole time, and the results will be sent direct to the SQA via a secure connection.

"This first use of technology in a formal exam is a significant milestone as we continue to modernise Scotland's exam process," said Anton Colella, chief executive of the SQA.

"Candidates involved in previous internal assessment pilots have told us they enjoy this way of working. We still have much to do before reliable, secure electronic exams become the norm, but this is an excellent start."

The use of modern technology in a formal exam builds on successful work done in recent years using electronic tools in internally-assessed coursework.

While candidates will be using a computer mouse instead of a pen, all other aspects of the exam will remain exactly the same.