Utilising one-on-one interactive oral assessments as the major final assessment within a bioscience course

Traditional written examinations in higher education face challenges of authenticity and integrity. This study evaluated interactive oral assessments (IOA) as an alternative to traditional written examinations in bioscience education. Using a mixed-methods approach, data from 722 students across multiple offerings of the course (2009–2023) were analysed, comparing cohorts before and after the IOA implementation. Quantitative analysis revealed significant improvements in both final assessment performance and overall course grades following IOA introduction, with no significant differences in performance across gender, international status, or language background. Thematic analysis of focus groups and surveys identified four key themes: assessment authenticity, academic integrity benefits, student anxiety evolution, and inclusive assessment practices. While students initially reported anxiety about the oral format, their perceptions became increasingly positive with experience, and this anxiety did not negatively impact performance. The IOA format demonstrated resilience to academic misconduct, including inappropriate use of Generative AI tools. Our findings suggest that with appropriate scaffolding and implementation strategies, an IOA can serve as an effective, equitable assessment approach that enhances authentic student learning while maintaining academic integrity in undergraduate science education.