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9 myths about digital testing

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There are common myths about digital assessment. For example, many people think that digital testing is expensive or that customized exams for dyslexic or visually impaired candidates are not possible. We have listed 9 myths for you and explain why they are false.

1. A computer checks everything

Because many exams use a combination of open and closed questions, digital testing also requires the use of a corrector. In open-ended questions, the candidate formulates the answer himself. For closed questions, the exam candidate chooses from a variety of answer options.

In the case of open-ended questions, checking is not (yet) automated. As with written tests, the proofreader manually reviews the open-ended questions and processes the score and any feedback into the system. Sometimes multiple correctors are even used.

It is logical that due to this manual component, the announcement of the results will take a bit longer than for an exam with only closed questions. Thereby, after the exam administration, the results are immediately visible to the candidate.

2. Digital testing is expensive

Digital testing is a long-term investment that pays off over time. Of course, it is not cheap to set up a database full of exam items, but in the long run it is absolutely worth the investment. This is because the contents of the database are preserved, allowing you to generate new keys with the same items over and over again. Moreover, every exam is unique.

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3. A set testing time is always needed

It is now obsolete that the administration of digital exams must take place at a physical location. On the contrary, the advantage of digital testing is that the exam time is not tied to a time and/or place. Thus, the exam can be taken anywhere and at any time. All the candidate needs is a place with an Internet connection and supervision. This can be done physically at a specific test location or remotely via online proctoring.

4. Every user needs extensive training beforehand

To get the most out of the testing software, training is of course recommended. But often a focused workshop is enough to master the basics and get started.

So whether you should take a complete training course or a focused workshop depends on what role you play within digital testing. The importer of exam questions, for example, must have different knowledge than a supervisor.

Tip: For your role, check what kind of knowledge you need before training. That may make a huge difference in the training time required.

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5. The bigger the database, the better

Of course it is nice to have lots of questions, but know that a large database makes it difficult to collect statistical data.

To use statistical data, a question must have been asked and answered a number of times. So if you have a database with lots of questions, it takes a long time before all the questions have been asked once and enough data is available to run an analysis on them. In addition, items must be maintained for timeliness and quality. The more questions, the more effort it takes and the higher the cost of maintenance.

Of course, the question bank must be representative of the material. So the moment the subject matter is voluminous, you will need to have a large number of questions to cover the entire exam material.

6. In case of failure, the exam administration is down

When a candidate is in the process of taking an exam, the answers given are automatically saved. Thus, at the time of an Internet outage, the exam can continue as usual. Once the Internet connection is restored, the questions will be saved again. Should the need really arise, it is always possible to print the exam and take it in writing. With the ability to scan written exams, reviewing can then be done back in the digital system.

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7. In digital examinations, retrospective inspection is not possible

After receiving the exam results, candidates can view their exams. Most testing systems have an extensive ability to select what is visible on perusal. Is it only about the wrong answers or is the candidate given the opportunity to see his or her entire exam? In this way, the most important exam questions remain preserved and secret. If you were to publish the exam questions after taking them, you would never build a quality database. Of course, the exam candidate may not take notes during an inspection.

8. Dyslexic or visually impaired? Digital exams are not customizable

Did you know that digital exams can be adapted to a candidate’s support needs? For example, it is possible to adjust the font size (visual support) and there is room for narration (auditory support).

It is also possible to set how long an exam may take for each candidate!

9. In digital testing, use a variety of question formats

Digital testing offers many opportunities in question formats. There is a temptation to use them all, for example, to make a test more fun. Despite how appealing this may seem, it is important to take a good exam. This includes a question format appropriate to the content of the exam question.

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