Authentic assessment challenges in the era of GenAI

Microbiology education is underpinned by a range of skills and core concepts whose integration can support student learning and authentic assessment practices. However, the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has prompted educators to reassess the validity of current assessment formats. This study compared student performance on a secure, laboratory-based exam with those on an unrestricted online exam. The findings indicated that high-performing students achieved comparable results regardless of assessment format, whereas low-performing students (ranked by the laboratory-based exam) performed as well as the high-performing students on the online exam. Overall, these results suggest that an integrated exam combining laboratory and theoretical concepts may offer a more valid approach to authentically assessing student learning.