This study discusses the possibility of e‐portfolio as a central component of assessment practice in the traditionally exam‐oriented context of China's tertiary education. The aim was to listen to learners, and provide them with a voice to analyse their perception of the potential advantages and challenges of introducing a learning‐focused assessment tool. From five consecutive annual cohorts (2007–2011), 220 university students completed questionnaires about their attitudes and experience of using e‐portfolio assessment in an English as a foreign language course, with 120 students participating in follow‐up interviews and focus groups. The vast majority of learners expressed preference for e‐portfolio assessment, compared to paper‐based examinations. This study contributes to understanding Chinese educational ideology of assessment, so as to place emphasis on assessment for quality learning rather than on teaching to the test.