The Computer Based Exam: The Future of Test-Taking
Technology has wrapped every industry in its reach in a storm. The number of upgrades a specific aspect receives is enormous, with its aim on allowing a more efficient mode of work. This has definitely reached the education sector, with technology aiding a teacher to distribute the right amount of work to students who are now willing to engage, learn and have fun in a classroom setting. As is the norm in every corner of the world, students are tested on the knowledge they gain through the interaction they have with their teachers, and based on the results of these tests, are qualified to proceed further, or continue to strengthen their grounds. There have been changes brought to the way examinations and tests have been occurring for more than a decade, and this recent innovation, which is the Computer Based Examination, has taken its place to be the most reliable and fastest method to conduct an extensive process.
Computerized testing helps teachers and companies evaluate a student on the basis of skill, conceptual and subjective knowledge, as well as aptitude. Due to its many advantages, popular examinations, such as JEE Mains, BITSAT and CAT have also switched to this mode of testing. These are also used in conducting entrance exams for colleges, and aptitude tests for companies.
What is Computer Based Testing/Examination?
All that one would need is an electronic deice, preferably a laptop or desktop. The test is sent through an e-invite or a link, and you take the test online. Along with the requirement of a laptop or desktop, the test taker would require good internet connectivity. Once these two needs are met, the candidate goes through the questions presented to them, which can either be answered sequentially or concurrently. In most cases, these tests consist of multiple choice questions, and are randomly allotted to students enrolled for that exam.
How has Computer Based Testing (CBT) changed test-taking?
CBT has revolutionized tests for both test-takers and evaluators. Its convenience and reliability have played a major role in promoting its usage throughout various administrations responsible for educating individuals. Smart students require smarter methods of learning and testing, so here's a list of 5 advantages that would give you a clear picture as to how and why computerized testing is becoming popular.
-
Anytime, Anywhere. Computer-based tests can be taken all year round in many locations. Since these tests allow students to appear for them from the comfort of their homes, they don't require students to travel to a predefined center to take the test. This is advantageous to students living in remote areas, as the time and money required in the commute can be saved and utilized for something more productive. The window for an online test can vary anytime between one to three weeks. For example, the GMAT is an exam that can be taken from a center of the students choosing. The choice of choosing the time at which a student would give their paper is also allowed.
-
Reports right where you need them. CBT has extensively reduced the time taken in the correction of paper piles, by providing a report to the teacher or employer, and an optional choice of displaying the final score on the screen of the candidate. A student's report is directly sent to the teacher, therefore misplacement of answer sheets or other information has zero occurrence.
-
No two tests are the same. Leave the jumbling of questions to the online test taking platform. All that a teacher would have to do, is type the questions into the software, and click on the option of creating different sets. The sets generated would mostly be unique, with a few questions recurring in the other sets generated.
-
It's all-inclusive. This is a method of testing that also accepts candidates with special needs. Braille keyboards are available for those who are visually incapacitated, with texts and images presented in a manner that enhances their readability. There are also read aloud assistants in the software that can assist students with hearing impairments.
-
Know before you go. This type of testing also has a basic tutorial guide for students to view before they take the test. The guide shows the student the number of questions and how they must be answered, the timer in the case of a timed test, and the number of questions left unattempted, bookmarked and answered after the student begins the test. This can also be accessed anytime during the test.
The road does appear bright for innovation in education, but it does come with a few disadvntages that are being looked over to make this the perfect option for conducting an exam. A few of the disadvantages are listed below:
-
It is an expensive option, which moves governments and organizations away from utilizing its other advantages.
-
If there is a power outrage or system failure, the candidate would have to contact the organization to be allowed to retake the test.
Related links: