AI Is Forcing Universities to Rethink Assessment
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT is reshaping higher education globally. Across campuses, students now use AI to brainstorm, write essays, solve coding tasks, and even answer exam questions. As a result, lecturers increasingly worry that traditional assessments no longer reflect real learning.
In response, some educators are returning to oral examinations. The method may seem outdated. However, it is gaining renewed attention as a way to test understanding without AI interference.
A Very Brief History of Oral Exams
Oral examinations predate modern universities. In ancient Greece and Rome, students demonstrated knowledge by debating ideas aloud. Until the 18th century, oral exams were the standard form of assessment at Oxford and Cambridge. Although written exams later replaced them, oral assessments never disappeared entirely and are now resurfacing in response to AI.
How Oral Exams Are Being Used Today
At the University of Wyoming, religious studies professor Catherine Hartmann conducts final exams as one-on-one conversations. For 30 minutes, each student answers probing questions in her office.
Hartmann explains her philosophy clearly. Using AI, she tells students, is like “bringing a forklift to the gym.” She adds, “The classroom is a gymnasium, and I am your personal trainer. I want you to lift the weights.”
Students were initially nervous. Many now prefer the method. Lily Leman, 20, said, “With this exam, I don’t know how you would use AI, frankly.”
Similar experiments are happening in engineering, communication, business, and data science courses. Educators report stronger engagement and clearer evidence of learning.
The Nigerian Reality: Can Oral Exams Work at Scale?
Despite the benefits, Nigeria’s context raises serious concerns. In many public universities, one lecturer may teach over 500 or even 1,000 students. Conducting long oral exams for every student would be unrealistic.
However, this does not automatically rule out oral assessments. Instead, universities could adopt selective and hybrid models. Oral exams may be reserved for final-year students, project defenses, postgraduate courses, or randomly sampled students in large classes. Shorter oral tests lasting five to ten minutes could also reduce workload.
Some universities abroad use panels, teaching assistants, or parallel sessions to manage large numbers. With planning, Nigerian institutions could adapt similar strategies.
What About Students Who Struggle to Speak?
Another concern involves students who are strong writers but weak oral communicators. Anxiety, speech challenges, or cultural factors may affect performance. Critics fear oral exams could disadvantage such students.
Supporters argue that oral exams should measure understanding, not eloquence. Lecturers can allow pauses, ask follow-up questions, and focus on ideas rather than delivery. Importantly, oral exams do not need to replace written tests. Combining both methods can protect fairness while improving integrity.
Regular class discussions, presentations, and mock oral tests can also help students build confidence gradually.
Why Nigerian Universities Should Still Consider the Shift
AI has made take-home essays and unsupervised exams increasingly unreliable. Lecturers are often forced into the role of detectives, searching for AI-generated work. This creates tension and undermines trust.
Oral exams, even when used sparingly, can reduce this pressure. They also help students develop communication skills valued in the workplace. More importantly, they restore focus on learning rather than shortcuts.
Conclusion: A Tool, Not a Total Replacement
Oral examinations are not a magic solution. Large class sizes, limited staff, and student diversity remain real challenges. Yet, dismissing the method entirely may be short-sighted.
In an AI-driven academic environment, Nigerian universities must rethink assessment practices. Oral exams, used strategically alongside written tests, offer a practical way forward.
Should Nigerian universities begin integrating oral assessments to protect academic integrity and deepen learning? Or are there better alternatives? Share your thoughts in the comments section below and let’s discuss.