COMPUTER-ASSISTED
TESTING
Prepared by
SABARISH-P
M.Sc., M.Ed.,NET
Lecturer in Physical Science, Arafa Institute for Teacher Education
Attur, Thrissur.
Computer-assisted
testing is an assessment model in which candidates or test takers answer
questions or complete exercises that are part of a computer program. In many cases,
computer tests also include automatic scoring. This occurs when there are a
finite number of correct answers, such as in multiple choice testing models.
When short answer and essay questions are included in computer-assisted
testing, a grader normally reads answers and enters grades into a database.
Computer-assisted testing is used for standardized tests, for psychological and
skill assessment, in classrooms, and may even be used by individuals who wish
to test themselves.
Proponents of computer-assisted testing
believe that it makes recording scores much easier for scorers and instructors.
Individuals who take these exams often can receive their scores immediately.
Some critics, however, believe that people with different ways of learning and
processing information may find computer testing difficult.
Many
standardized tests have adopted computer-assisted testing models. An example of
a standardized test is the Graduate Record Examination® (GRE®), which many
students in the United States take prior to applying to graduate programs.
Students who take the GRE® normally meet at a designated testing center, where
they sit for the exam at computer workstations. Their scores are recorded
automatically, though written portions are assessed by trained scorers.
There is a variety of products to support
computer-assisted testing. An instructor creates questions, groups questions
into topics and tests and assigns them to students. Students use a web
browser to take the test and then it is automatically graded. The form of
the questions is limited, they can be, for example, true/false, multiple
choice, or fill in the blank. Essay questions are possible, but can't be
automatically graded. Questions can include audio and video
components. For example, the test for an English class could play an
audio clip and then use multiple choice questions to gauge a student's
comprehension.
Computer-assisted testing is
especially useful when you:
·
Need
to include audio or video content as part of a question
·
Need
test results quickly
·
Need
tests graded automatically
·
Have
many tests or quizzes to give
·
Have
some students off-campus
·
Need
to change questions often
Computer-assisted testing can
require a large up-front investment. Every single question has to be
entered. Questions must be grouped into tests. Each student must be
entered. Tests must be scheduled and students assigned. Once a test
has been defined, it can be easily used repeatedly, year after year.
All the information entered by the
instructor is done via a web based interface or a custom application.
Typically the data is stored remotely in a database where it is automatically
backed up. To take a test, students go to a web site or follow a link to
a web page. Then, they log in and take the test.
General advantages of CAT systems
over traditional paper-and-pencil testing (PPT) have been demonstrated in
several comparative works and include: consistency and reliability; faster and
more controlled test revision process with shorter response time; faster
decision-making as the result of immediate scoring and reporting; unbiased test
administration and scoring; increased candidate acceptance and satisfaction;
evolutionary step toward future testing methodologies.
