Surpass Conference 2026
In 2026, we’re delighted to announce our conference will be an in-person event taking place in Manchester, from 8-9 October. Tickets include access to both days of the conference, and evening networking event on 8 October.
Manchester, UK
8–9 Oct 2026
Join the Surpass Community
The conference is a great opportunity to connect with like-minded assessment professionals. Share ideas, learn, and determine the future direction of cutting-edge examination technology.
Hear from fantastic keynote speakers, and members of the Surpass Community in presentations, workshops, and of course, our famous evening entertainment and networking, this year at Lane 7.
Alongside the conference, enjoy our evening entertainment and networking event at Lane7 Manchester.
Our keynote speaker
Clare Morley
Vocational qualifications consultant
Don’t miss her keynote: AI and digitisation: The great skills reset – navigating change and opportunities for the future of workplace skills and assessment.
In a rapidly evolving, AI‑infused world, how must assessment and skills development adapt to remain relevant, credible and human‑centred? This keynote reflects on the journey of computer‑based assessment while inviting you to challenge assumptions, explore emerging policy and practice, and consider how we can shape qualifications and workforce skills for the future together.
Dr Fiona Aubrey-Smith
Independent Consultant Researcher / Co-Founder of The National PedTech Partnership
Don’t miss her keynote: Beliefs about knowledge in a landscape of AI
In a landscape of an AI infused world, where does knowledge start and stop? In an assessment system which is designed to validate learning, where does that learning start and stop? In a global world filled with human beings, what is the human value-add in an assessment system powered by AI?
These big questions will serve as a set of provocations for a thought provoking and interactive session. We will invite you to challenge some of the assumptions that have underpinned previous ways of working, and to consider what our collective ‘value-add’ as human leaders might be as we navigate the future of assessment together.
Programme outline
We’re delighted to announce some fantastic sessions at the Surpass Conference 2026!
Community Stories on topics such as:
- Modernising exam development for financial and professional bodies
- Case study feedback from real-world implementation of Surpass Copilot for item development in medical assessment
- The results and learning point from large cohort trials of AI assisted marking and AI feedback (with Surpass Tutor)
- LOFT testing and how adaptive models can be tailored to deliver unparalleled learner experience and exceptional rigour
Feature Spotlights on new features such as:
- SecureClient for Chromebook
- Advanced Maths/Essay question types
- The latest features in Copilot 3.0, including semantic search and enemy items, plus double marking enhancements in SecureMarker
- How modern digital tools can enhance observational assessments, improve reliability and reduce operational burdens across formats such as workplace-based assessments and practical skills checks
- Oral exams and how AI-driven virtual patients are helping to assess communication, reasoning and clinical decision making through realistic spoken interactions
- A practical demonstration of Copilot for Test Development, and its use in healthcare assessment knowledge uploads, rationale generation and reviewer controls
Innovative insights including:
- The use of new OSCE software and how test development, scheduling automation, and candidates monitoring have allowed them to push the boundaries of candidate testing.
- A detailed look at Surpass Auto Marker, our brand-new OCR+AI marking engine, showing real pilot data from English and History across 2,000 scripts
- A fresh look at the Paper+ concept – capturing digitised responses to hard copy while retaining familiar exam conditions
- A new case study from a large UK finance organisation who worked with Surpass to build an on-demand test centre network setup
Exciting panel discussions, including:
- representatives from healthcare, finance, education, and regulation exploring how AI, reliability, and policy are converging, with debates on AI safety, accessibility, hybrid delivery and global equity.
- experts from awarding organisations, education regulators, professional bodies and technology providers as they discuss the future of assessment innovation
Hands-on workshops where you can try out new innovations from Surpass, including Auto Marker, Surpass Tutor (including Oral exams), Surpass Copilot 3.0, and see Surpass IQ in action.
The latest from the Surpass AI Advisory Board on the future of Generative AI.
Venue information
The 2026 Surpass Conference will take place at the Manchester Radisson Hotel in the city centre.
Radisson Hotel Manchester City Centre
4 Cheetham Hill Road,
Manchester, M4 4EW
Evening networking event: Join us at Lane 7 for bowling, pool, bar and buffet, and more!
FREE | 8 October 2026 at 7.30pm
Don’t miss the fantastic Conference evening event!
Manchester Bowling, Karaoke and Games Bar | Lane7 Manchester
Enjoy bowling, pool games, ping pong, a private bar, darts board, shuffleboards, Beer Pong, Air Hockey and Pinball, plus a buffet meal.
Lane7 Manchester
Unit 3, 235 Deansgate,
Manchester, M3 4EN
