In this post we will be looking at the meaning of online exam, features, benefits and advantages of online exam.
INTRODUCTION.
Educational institutions have evolved over the years, thanks to technological advancements. With smart classrooms and Learning Management Systems (LMS), it is now easier for teachers to conduct interactive learning sessions, map students’ knowledge, and create progress reports. These advancements make it easier for students to learn efficiently and for teachers to evaluate students with less effort and in less time. One of the most popular examples of technological growth in education is the shift from traditional classroom/paper-based exams to online examination modes. An online examination platform ensures a fool-proof examination process with its in-built features such as enabling controllers of examination to plan the grading scheme, candidate and evaluator slotting, AI-enabled invigilation mechanisms that provides a cheating-free environment and automated evaluation that able quick result declaration.
WHAT IS ONLINE EXAM?
Online Examination System is a technology-driven way to simplify examination activities like defining exam patterns with question banks, defining exam timer, objective/subjective question sections, conducting exams using the computer or mobile devices in a paperless manner. Online exams, also known as virtual exams, enables examiners to conduct exams using the internet for remote candidates. In an online examination, candidates are expected to answer the questions on their systems. The test window closes once the exam is over. An online exam does not have to be in an MCQ format – it can be written in any desired form. The main advantage of this examination system is that it can be used to administer paper-less tests and also get instant test results.
FEATURES OF ONLINE EXAM.
Educational and corporate sectors across the globe use assessments as a major source to acquire in-depth knowledge of student learning and candidate skills. Seeing the increasing requirement of assessments at such a wide scale it is being predicted that online exam software will become a definite future of exam management. The following are online exam features:
- Automation of registration and planning: The first step for conducting any assessment is candidate registration and categorization. When conducting large scale exams pre-exam phase can get really messy if proper candidate management features are not available within the platform. Hence, this is one of the first and most important features which include processing of student applications, managing candidates in groups, generating test time table, etc.
- Assessment creation: The feature of assessment creation is the beginning step of giving shape to your assessment idea. It allows the test creator to follow a set pattern of organizing the assessment through an interactive and informative interface. Any further elements are added once the test template is selected in this step.
- Question selection and Management: The credibility and effectiveness of online assessments depend largely on its question bank. Online exam software comes integrated with 9 question types which can be used to create any type of question such as MCQ, single-digit, fill in the blanks, subjective type, true-false, etc. The combination of different question types can also be used to bring variety in the test format. The test creator even gets the option to add multimedia elements such as images, videos, graphs, and mathematical equations.
- Assigning marks and levels: The marking scheme needs to be properly defined in an online test for automatic result generation in the later stage. The online exam platform provides various marking schemes which also includes negative and decimal marking. Defining difficulty levels in the test is another mandatory aspect to strengthen the test format and it can be easily done using the features available in the test creation section.
- Customized test-taking options: Online exam software has got many customizable features and this one is on top of it. The test creator can customize the test-taking panel to better suit the requirements of the candidates. Customizations such as changing theme colors and text fonts, defining back and forth buttons, question skipping option, adding calculator and timer, etc. are some of the basic needs that are fulfilled through customized test-taking options.
- Instant evaluation: This is the best part of using an online examination system. It eliminates any sort of manual effort in evaluating the test by making all of it automated. On one side where manual evaluation is high on inaccuracy and mistakes, online examination evaluation is by far the most accurate source of scoring tests. Also, it is instant and the detailed test report is generated as soon as the test is complete.
- In-depth test report: A comprehensive test report that is generated at the end of the test becomes the main mapping point of the entire student/candidate performance. The report generated constitutes multiple factors based on which the scores are displayed. Total scores, comparative scores, scores on each section, scores on each question, total percentage, number of answered questions, number of missed questions, and overall feedback are some of the sections available in the report generated.
- Interactive Dashboard: A simple presentation of scores is not that effective as the visual representation is! Online exam software has got an interactive dashboard that displays the scores in a graphical and statistical format. Also, the reports can be easily transferred and saved in a format of choice through import-export options.
BENEFITS AND ADVANTAGES OF ONLINE EXAM.
The benefits of online assessment are welcomed by both the exam candidates themselves, and for the organization providing the assessment. It also provides benefits to student learning. The types of benefits gained from an online assessment will depend on the assessment software used, but one overriding positive outcome is that organizations greatly reduce the administrative burden of organizing and running exams. This is not an exhaustive list, but here are some benefits of online assessment to consider:
- Exam Candidates are used to Digital.
- Reduced Administrative Burden.
- Quicker to Mark and Issue Results.
- Automated Test Assembly Tools.
- On-Screen Marking Tools.
- It’s More Environmentally Friendly.
- Scalable with Worldwide Reach
- Increased Security.
- Flexibility to Take Exams Anywhere
- Assessment Reporting.
- Cost Effectiveness.
- Assessments that are Accessible to All.
CONCLUSION: The online examination system is the culmination of the student’s assessment by the use of the internet and available web technologies. Like the old familiar system of conducting exams, it aims to objectify the systematic evaluation of student’s mastery in individual subjects. A modern learning management system such as (School Software Pro) offers a platform in assisting schools to administer more organized online exams for students. Whether an assessment is formative or summative, the target in online exams is to digitize assessing the student’s competency-based skills. It creatively boosts the traditional examination system. In online exams, students no longer need to gather in a room and answer their test papers within a specified time. Likewise, teachers no longer need to retrieve individual answer sheets and check and disclose the scores to class after. Online exams definitely fastened up this process through electronic assessments.