Assessment challenges in higher education during the pandemic: course directors’ perceptions and reflections

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted higher education, requiring rapid adaptations in students’ assessment. This study examines course directors’ perspectives on the challenges of student assessment during this period. Using semi-structured interviews with course directors from different Portuguese higher education institutions, findings reveal critical issues, such as maintaining academic integrity, logistical constraints, and inequities in access to resources. Course directors reflected on the increased workloads for educators and students and the fairness of assessment formats, which disproportionately affected students with limited technological access. Despite these challenges, the crisis prompted a critical reflection on the importance of strengthening digital infrastructure, professional development, and institutional policies to enhance resilience and equity in future disruptions.