Slide 1

Pencils Down: The Rise of Online

Testing

Pencils Down:

The Rise of

Online Testing

Slide 2

Pencils Down: The Rise of Online

Testing

Overview

1. From Pencils to Processors

2. Test Generators

3. Benefits

Source: Test Generator – Pencils Down: The Rise of Online Testing

Slide 3

Pencils Down: The Rise of Online

Testing

From Pencils to Processors

• While many of us may have memories from our childhood, madly scribbling down answers on test day, today's testing environments are more likely to feature a chorus of clicking. – Computer-based testing (CBT) has been rapidly gaining popularity as a testing

modality, replacing the traditional pencil and paper (PNP) format.

– As online testing becomes ubiquitous, researchers have been interested in the extent of its equivalence to the paper method.

• Studies thus far have found that testing format does not affect test scores one way or the other but that online testing offers several advantages over PNP testing in terms of convenience, cost and time.

Source: Test Generator – Pencils Down: The Rise of Online Testing

Slide 4

Pencils Down: The Rise of Online

Testing

Test Generators

• The ultimate goal for a test generator is to use a medium able to be used effortlessly without prior exposure or instruction so that content is the only variable.

• The test delivery environment is in theory a transparent medium for collecting evidence to assess skills and knowledge.

• In practice, the testing interface can create unwanted variance that can interfere with test validity.

• A test taker's computer literacy or comfort level with filling in answer bubbles with a writing tool can potentially skew results.

Source: Test Generator – Pencils Down: The Rise of Online Testing

Slide 5

Pencils Down: The Rise of Online

Testing

Test Generators

• While in some earlier instances, test takers unfamiliar with computer use may have felt increased anxiety with CBT, recent research suggests candidates generally prefer the computer method. – Some of the earliest online systems lacked basic compatibilities, such as the

ability to navigate back to previous questions or change answers, but today's computerized tests have sophisticated navigational tools and can be personalized for any type of purpose.

• As soon as participants realize that achievement can be just as strong using CBT, attitudes of most indicated a decisive preference for using computers.

Source: Test Generator – Pencils Down: The Rise of Online Testing

Slide 6

Pencils Down: The Rise of Online

Testing

Benefits

• The benefits to using online testing are enormous. – The objectivity and security of this testing method has gone a long way to

eliminating examination malpractices, while allowing remote testing that can be assessed instantly.

– PNP testing is vulnerable to a variety of cheating or other inconsistencies, from the old "smuggling materials in hollow pens" trick to plausible mistakes resulting from manual marking.

– Administrators using computerized methods to create a test can control access and integrate digital tools such as calculators and dictionaries.

– They can make more standardized test administration, including question and section timing.

– Test results can be compared and contrasted to a databank to evaluate changes in performance over time and test takers are able to know their results before even leaving the test center.

Source: Test Generator – Pencils Down: The Rise of Online Testing

Slide 7

Pencils Down: The Rise of Online

Testing

Benefits

• The reality is that a greater than ever need for effective testing combined with fewer resources available for administration call for a continued increase in online testing.

• Many observers agree that the potential power of online exam software in redesigning assessment is only beginning to be tapped.

Source: Test Generator – Pencils Down: The Rise of Online Testing

Slide 8

Pencils Down: The Rise of Online

Testing

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