Exams for fourth year pupils in Scotland could be scrapped as a review is expected to recommend axing the intense testing.
Pupils aged 15 and 16 could instead be graded on coursework submitted throughout the year and a "Scottish diploma" which would take into account volunteering, sports or groups such as the Girl Guides and Scouts.
Currently, teenagers in their fourth year of secondary school sit a graded exam to achieve a National 5 qualification - previously called an Intermediate exam.
The Times reports a review of the assessment process was ordered by the Scottish Government and the recommendations are expected to call for an end to the intense exam programme.
Findings from the review, led by assessment expert Louise Hayward, are due to be published in the next fortnight.
But there are fears teachers could become overwhelmed with extra workload and disadvantaged pupils would suffer. There is also uncertainty on if artificial intelligence could be used undetected for essay writing.
It is expected fifth and sixth year pupils will still sit higher exams.
Mike Corbett, Scottish official for teaching union the NASUWT, said: "They want to move towards more of an exit type of exam.
"Because most kids no longer leave in S4, most of them would not do exams unless they were leaving. If you only have exams in S6, that has a lot of danger.
"It becomes very, very high stakes because you only ever sit one set of exams just before you leave and you have not had any practice.”
He also warned a former "Scottish diploma" created a class divide as pupils from a more privileged background would be more likely to take part in paid for extracurricular activities.
Lindsay Paterson, who is Emeritus Professor of Education Policy, say axing exams was an "absolute revolution".
Parents were previously left "sceptical of any assessment system that does not have an external exam” after National 4 reforms, he said.
Professor Paterson added: “At the moment coursework is unfairly influenced by the condition of people’s homes. If you have an opportunity to talk about your coursework at home you in are in a better position to do well and that means there is a bias.”
A Scottish government spokesman said: “Professor Hayward’s final report will be published shortly.
"The recommendations will be carefully considered and the Scottish government will respond in due course.”
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