By Pooja Nagpal

When people think of AI in assessment, they often imagine faster grading. However, the real opportunity is even greater: transforming assessment into a tool that guides learning in real-time. For India’s classrooms—large, multilingual, and diverse—that shift could be game-changing.

Traditional assessments leave teachers with stacks of scripts and delayed insights. By the time results come back, the teaching moment has already passed. Students continue with misconceptions that haven't been addressed, while teachers struggle to juggle instruction, grading, and administrative tasks.

AI changes this equation. Three things are already possible:

1. Real-time detection of misconceptions. An AI-enabled system can spot when a student repeatedly misapplies a rule in fractions or confuses word problems. Instead of a red mark days later, it offers a hint or an adaptive task instantly.

2. Actionable dashboards for teachers. Rather than raw scores, teachers see groupings: who has mastered a concept, who needs reinforcement, and who is struggling deeply. Some platforms even generate short reteach plans, saving precious hours.

3. Multilingual scaffolds. In linguistically diverse settings, AI can provide read-aloud support, glossaries, or translanguaging prompts—without changing the learning goal. The assessment stays rigorous, but more students can show what they know.

Research confirms this promise. OECD studies show that quicker feedback loops significantly boost student learning outcomes.
In India, tools like SmartPaper are digitizing assessments and providing teachers with instant diagnostic insights. Globally, Khan Academy’s Khanmigo is experimenting with integrating assessment into daily learning, turning test moments into teachable moments.

For teachers, the shift is profound. Less time spent on marking means more time coaching small groups. Students get feedback within minutes, not weeks. Administrators see clearer patterns of progress, making interventions more timely and targeted.

Of course, guardrails are crucial. Data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the risk of over-reliance on machines need to be addressed. The best AI-powered assessments are supportive, not fully autonomous: teachers stay in control, with AI enhancing their effectiveness.

The promise is simple but powerful: when assessments deliver feedback in minutes, teaching can change in hours. That’s the real future of AI in classrooms—not grading faster, but guiding learning better.

The author is an Assessment Expert.