Project – Development of Computer Based Test (CBT)

CHAPTER ONE

• Introduction

1.1   Background of Study

It is widely believed that all tests will one day be delivered on a computer of some sort (Bennett, 1998, 2002). However, it is difficult to accurately predict when this day will come. It has seemingly been just around the corner since the early 1990s, when a handful of early adopters, including the ASVAB (Sands, Waters, & McBride, 1997) and the GRE® (Mills, 1999), signed on to computer-based testing (CBT). Today, dozens of admissions, placement, certification, and licensure testing programs are administered on computer, with the number growing each year. On the K–12 front, several states already conduct their annual accountability testing on computer, and many others are poised to join in. Hundreds of schools or districts also employ CBTs in a formative or diagnostic role in service of instruction. Computer-Based Testing (CBT) is an efficient way for test sponsors to provide a secure, consistent environment for certification and licensure while significantly enhancing the candidate experience. It is common for testing volumes to increase after a full conversion from paper-based testing (PBT) to CBT, often as a result of the availability of a greater number of testing locations and more flexible scheduling and testing opportunities. Migration from PBT to CBT does affect candidate behavior, however, and it is possible for some testing programs to experience brief reductions in demand triggered by candidate apprehension regarding CBT. This sometimes results in either a last-minute increase in testing during final PBT administrations or candidate procrastination to the last available computerized testing date. Therefore, the question facing licensing organizations is how to keep test volumes up and candidate uncertainty down when migrating from a paper-based to a computer-based test? The key to mitigating test volume risk and ultimately driving an increase in demand is ongoing marketing, candidate education and outreach. In terms of promoting the new computerized testing program, marketing and effective communication can have an important impact on stakeholder acceptance of CBT and comfort with its use. In order to allay candidate fears and minimize questions, it is prudent to launch a communications campaign early in the conversion process that directly addresses constituent concerns and promotes sustainable program interest.

• Statement of problem

The challenges faced with paper based test is overwhelming, they include but not limited to exam malpractice, inaccuracy in marking, delay in marking results.

The development of a computer based test system could address these issues and improve the evaluation process for student learning outcomes.

Therefore, the problem to be addressed in this project is to develop a reliable and efficient computer- based test.

• Aim and Objectives of the study

The aim of the research project is to design and implement an online computer based test system. Objectives of the project are:
1.   To develop a CBT system that automatically generates exam numbers for students.
2.   To develop a CBT system with enhanced security features to avoid exam malpractice.
3.   To design a CBT system with real time processing of results for candidates.

• Significant of study

This study is intended to assist in some small way those practitioners who are struggling with the decision of whether to test on computer and how they might best go about doing so. It is not intended to provide an introduction to the important methods and to the considerations that dictate use of those methods. It is far from comprehensive in this regard. To make truly informed decisions, one would need to be at least conversant if not quite familiar with most of the references listed here. In short, this is not just a road map intending to precisely direct practitioners on their journey to computerized delivery, but rather more a guidebook highlighting some of the landmarks they will likely visit along the way. As with all trips, we need to start by deciding whether the attractions of the destination outweigh the rigors of travel.

1.5Scope and Limitation

This study covered the design and implementation of an online computer based test system, using Government Technical Training Collage.

Limitations of study

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection through the Secondary data

Time constraint- The researcher simultaneously engaged in this study with other academic work. This consequently cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

• Definitions of terms

Computer – Based Test (CBT):- This is a way of talking standard test or examination on a computer system

Computer System:- This is an electronic device that is capable of accepting data through an input device, process data with the help of instructions programed on it, store data with a storage device and produce meaningful information as desired by the computer user.

Internet: – This is the global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet Protocol (IP) to serve billions of users worldwide.

Networking: – This is a collection of computer and devices interconnected communications channels that facilitates communications among users and allows users to share resources.

Gadgets: – These are small, useful and cleverly – designed machine or tools. World Wide Web (WWW):- This is a system of interlinked hypertext documents assessed via the internet.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT):- This is a group of technological tools and resources used to create, process store, retrieve, communicate and manage information.

Project – Development of Computer Based Test (CBT)