Global access and seamless support: digital assessment at Vienna University of Economics and Business

Context

Adopting WISEflow for entrance exams, Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Vienna) enhances accessibility for international students while ensuring academic integrity and cost savings.

In an increasingly digital academic landscape, WU Vienna has taken the lead in transforming how entrance exams are conducted by implementing WISEflow, a digital assessment platform.Initially adopted for its benefits to international students, and following a successful pilot of WISEflow back in 2020, WU Vienna expanded its use to manage entrance exams for the German-language bachelor's program in 2024.

Helena Nekola, with 15 years’ experience as WU Vienna’s vice rectorate for academic programs and student affairs, coordinated the initiative. Helena explains that WU Vienna’s approach goes beyond just using digital tools; it's about creating a seamless, supportive experience for applicants.

Why WU vienne chose WISEflow

The 2020 pilot of WISEflow was initiated in part because around 60% of the applicants for the Business and Economics degree program were international students. Helena believes that the pilot’s success made expanding WISEflow a logical next step. She explains:

The shift to digital assessments began before COVID-19, which later accelerated the move for many institutions. Helena recalls, “We had already discussed moving to a digital platform before COVID. The benefits for our international students just made sense.”

Increasing reliance on generative AI further influenced WU Vienna’s decision to adopt WISEflow for large-scale entrance exams.

The platform’s scalability was key, with around 4,500 candidates taking the German business and social science entrance exam and up to 3,000 candidates sitting the business and economics exam. Helena notes:

Driving positive change with smart solutions

Data protection compliance was also critical, given the institution’s DACH-region location. Helena shares, that it was important for them that WISEflow complies with the many data protection guidelines required of the institution. That was a central reason why we decided to go for the WISEflow platform.

Students are able to sit the exams from anywhere in the world, and the assessments are protected against academic integrity, all of which brings immense value to WU Vienna and its administration. But these are not the only advantages of sitting exams online via WISEflow. Helena says:

Like any digital transition, WU Vienna faced challenges, particularly with high applicant volumes that affected loading times which makes it difficult to download all candidate results at one time.However, as Helena points out, there are always alternative solutions:

Words of wisdom for institutions considering the digital switch

Coordinating the transition to a digital assessment platform is not for the faint of heart. It is a big project and has to be handled accordingly. WU Vienna’s experience was that having one central figure or body, that can draw on expertise from around the institution, is the best possible method of handling the process.

Once the project is up and running, there are multiple ways for institutions to streamline and simplify the examination process for everyone involved, including applicants. At WU Vienna, staff make it a priority to maintain consistent communication with those preparing for their entrance exams.

However, communication alone isn't enough to prepare applicants for an unfamiliar platform. WU Vienna supports applicants in several ways before their exams, including providing extensive information about WISEflow on their website.Helena explains:

Most preparatory resources are created by WU Vienna, not UNIwise. Helena believes this is essential: