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

1. A computer checks everything

As many exams use a combination of open and closed questions, digital tests also require the use of a corrector. In open questions, the candidate formulates the answer himself. With closed questions, the exam candidate chooses from various answer options.

In the case of open questions, marking is not (yet) automated. As with written tests, the corrector checks the open questions manually and processes the score and any feedback into the system. Sometimes several 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 taking the exam, 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 definitely worth the investment. This is because the contents of the database are preserved, allowing you to keep generating new tests with the same items. Moreover, every exam is unique.

3. A fixed test moment is always needed

It is now outdated that the administration of digital exams has to take place at a physical location.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 physically at a specific test location or remotely via online proctoring.

4. Every user needs extensive training beforehand

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

So whether you need to attend a complete training course or a targeted workshop depends on what role you fulfil within digital testing. For example, the entrant of exam questions needs to have different knowledge than a supervisor.

Tip: check for your role what kind of knowledge you need before training. This may make a huge difference to the training time required.

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 a lot of questions, it takes a long time before all the questions have been asked once and there is enough data available to run an analysis on them. In addition, the items need to be maintained for timeliness and quality. The more questions, the more effort this takes and the higher the cost of maintenance.

Of course, the question bank should 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 malfunction, exam administration is down

When a candidate is in the process of taking an exam, the answers given are automatically saved. Therefore, at the time of an internet failure, the exam can be continued as usual. Once the internet connection is restored, the questions are saved again. Should the need arise, it is always possible to print the exam and take it in writing. With the option of scanning written exams, the grading can then take place again in the digital system.

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 option to select what is visible upon inspection. Is it only about the wrong answers or does the candidate get the opportunity to see his or her entire exam? In this way, the most important exam questions will remain preserved and secret. If you were to publish the exam questions after they have been taken, you would never build a high-quality database. Of course, the exam candidate is not allowed to take notes during a perusal.

8. Dyslexic or visually impaired? Digital exams cannot be adapted

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 can take per candidate!

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

Digital testing offers many possibilities in question formats. There is a temptation to use them all, for example to make a test more fun. Despite this seeming attractive, it is important to make a good exam. This includes a question format that suits the content of the exam question.

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