ANANDROID-BASEDREVIEWERAPPLICATIONFORPHILIPPINECIVILSERVICEEXAMINATION

MarkJayTuballasProjectManager

BasakBrotherhood,CebuCitybustedrocks1992@gmail.com

JonathanO.Etcuban

Faculty,CCSUniversityofCebu

JeferdKyleCondinoProgrammer

Hipodromo,CebuCityjeferdkylecondino@yahoo.com

KathleenAumanNetworkAdministratorSanMiguel,CebuCitykathauman@gmail.com

JosephAlainLaoTechnicalWriter

Soong,Lapu-lapuCity,Cebubatsoi.sep@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT The proposed project, as the name implies, is an application wherein users can review the Civil Service Examination. The application can be downloaded from the website. Moreover, the user can download study materials to enhance their knowledge further. Alongside with it is that the user can also download test question set to assess their knowledge. On the application side, users are provided with review materials that cover from different subject areas that will be included in the examination. The application has a feature that will enable the user to take a mock examination. After which, the users are provided with the result and an answer key. Both review materials and test questions can be downloaded from the website using the Android device or through PC. The purpose of this proposed project is to aid the examinees as they review for the Civil Service examination. With and by this, the reviewers will have the mobility to review, for this only requires an Android-supported device. The hassle in bringing in the review materials will be minimized, thus making the studying of the Civil Service worthwhile. Also, this proposed project will provide convenience, for it lets the user take the examination that means it has both the reviewing material and a mock examination in one application. Therefore, this proposed use is very beneficial to all examinees of the Philippine Civil Service. Keywords Information Technology, civil service, research-developmental method, Philippines

INTRODUCTION Examinations have always been present in the course of student’s life. They are the ways to test how much a learner knows about the subject/s that the exam covers. Examinations can be administered orally, on paper, on a computer, or in a confined area that requires an examinee to perform a set of skills physically. In school, non-standardized tests are usually given to students by teachers, since it is flexible in scope and format, variable in difficulty and

significance. It is used to determine the proficiency level of students as well as help motivate students to study. With this, exams will provide feedback to students regarding their achievement in the subjects enrolled. In contrary, the standardized tests are usually used in professional certification and examinations in the field of psychology, military, and others. Although people are used to a non-standardize test, it has always been present at school as means of determining the achievements of students. However, taking a standardized test has been taken into consideration nowadays. Most degree courses required students to take and pass board examinations or licensure examinations. These tests are administered using the standardized test. In addition, adopting a standardized test will help determine the strengths and weaknesses of a person, for this will provide a general overview of his capabilities. Various reviewers, study materials or study guides aid examinees as they take on different examinations for the purpose of their personal and professional growth. These review materials come in many forms textbooks, manuals, and electronic books that can view on the Internet. Other study materials are provided by review centers wherein they prepare the examiners before they take the examination. Review articles are useful to reviewers in many ways. They are of great help for reviewers during the review process. They list down important points, key ideas, topic outlines, charts and diagrams, and other information that will help the students understand the subject. Some of the review materials contain questionnaires that test the students in different subject topics and of their mental capacities. The primary advantage of a reviewer is that it reduces the amount of information to be learned. On the contrary, though the use of this aims students to find out easier, relying on review materials may cause failure in comprehension of the subject, it is for the reason that they based it on the study materials alone. Today’s world is constantly changing. People tend to modernize the old ways to more innovative methods of learning things. With the aid of technology, review materials have been shifted from an ordinary textbook to an electronic document that can be viewed over the Internet.

As the technology becomes ubiquitous, more people tend to use it rather than using the traditional way for the purpose of making the output faster and better. A number of software has been developed recently to incorporate the latest technological trends in review materials. One of the trends that most people are eager to have is the Android mobile phones. It is an operating system for mobile phones introduced by Google. Android Operating System (OS) is now being used on mobile phones and tablet Personal Computers (PCs). With the help of Android Market, it has become more famous for its available applications made by individual and company developers. One of the reasons why it has been favored by most users is that most of the applications from Android Market and other websites are free, and some applications you need to buy is not that expensive. In the Philippines, most people are interested in working in government offices because of the benefits, job security, and the compensation packages. One qualification for a person to work in the government office is that he must be a passer of Civil Service Examination, which is administered by the Civil Service Commission. In addition, an employee of the government who passed the Civil Service Examination has the advantage among those who have not taken nor passed the exam. Passers are given the assurance that they will not be removed easily from their position. One common problem that is encountered in taking the exam is that there is no review center that will help them evaluate the test in order for them to pass. Thus, examiners shall review by themselves to prepare for the test. An effective way to pass the test is for the examinee to have his review materials that will assist him in evaluating. Due to the fact that there are inadequate review centers where they can have their review, most reviewers finnd it not conducive to review due to insufficient resources. Although this has not been an issue in the society, the researchers decided to make our study materials that will assist them in order to pass the Civil Service examination. Based on scenarios stated above, the researchers wish to develop a review material that runs on Android mobile phones in order for the examinees to review and hopefully pass the Civil Service examination. Most manufacturers of mobile phones today provide an affordable price to cater the emerging need of people who want to have an Android mobile phone. This proposed project also has a Web application to support the use. This project will be used as an avenue for reviewers to possess an individual review material which are friendly, handy, and on-the-go resources for Civil Service Examinations. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY This study aims to analyze, design, and develop an Android-based Reviewer Application that would augment the traditional way of reviewing the Philippine Civil Service Examinations. Specifically, the application aims to:

1. develop Web page(s) that allow(s) the administrator to: • verify registered users who will have the authority to

download the Android application; • post updates and notifications about downloadable test

examination and review materials ; • manage test question that can be downloaded by the

verified by the users; and • control review materials that can be downloaded by the

verified users.

2. develop Web page(s) that allow(s) the user to: • register and log-in on the website for them to be authorized

to download the Android application • view notifications posted by the administrator

contribute test question • download review materials and updated test questions

3. develop an Android application that allow(s) the user to: • add and view review materials and test questions which can

be downloaded from the web • view or browse and read review materials • update test question and take mock examinations view test

score results to taking the mock examination • view the answer key after taking the mock examination

4. cater review materials and test questions which cover from vocabulary

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS This study focuses on the application reviewer development of the Civil Service, which can be used by Android device(s). The user will register on the website to create an account. The administrator has the full authority to verify registered user. Once the user has been verified, he has the privilege to download the Android application. In addition, the user is given the prerogative to download updated test questions and review materials. As the user downloads the Android application, he can already read the review materials from his Android device and then take the mock examination. The mock examination is a hundred items test in a multiple choice type. After taking the mock examination, the user will be able to view his test score result and finally view the answers afterward. This application is intended for users who will be taking a Civil Service Examinations. Only verified users can download the Android application, review materials, and test questions. Adding up the study materials and the test questions can only be made by the administrator alone. An Internet connection is needed in order to download the Android application, test question set, and review materials. The users cannot review or take the mock examination over the website. No interaction amongst the user. Only the administrator has the privilege to post notifications. Once the user takes the exam, he must answer the question before he can continue with the next question. Thus, the user cannot skip the questions. In addition, the user has no privilege to view the previous questions. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY This study is beneficial to the following entities: Reviewers. The proposed Android application is a great help to the reviewers of Civil Service Examination since it will provide convenience and mobility for reviewing. Hence, reviewing can be done anywhere at any time than staying in the four corners of the study centers where in most of the reviewers are full-time students. So, this mobile application will provide satisfaction and ease for them. Review Centers. The Android-based Reviewer Application for Civil Service Examination will be essential to Review Centers because it will offer a new design of discussing as it uses the Android technology. The use of resources will be minimized since devices with Android support can use this application. Hence, paper and pencil test will not be utilized. This application will most likely provide a competitive advantage to review centers since it provides a review material through the use of Android-enabled technology. Through the proper utilization of this application, it will improve the quality of their reviews and enhances the standard of their services.

Civil Service Commission. For this proposed project will attract more people who are qualified to take the Civil Service Examination since they can review through their individual android supported device. Thus, making the number of examination takers higher than the usual. Also, this application is solely beneficial to this government agency. Government. Significant in a way that this might increase the percentage of civil service passers for this application will substantially shift the traditional way of reviewing for an individual who will take the civil service examination. Thus, making reviewers more interested in considering the fact that it is more technologically inclined. Researchers. This research project is very beneficial to us, the researchers, in the sense that this will broaden our knowledge and assess our individual skills on in the eld of IT. This project will also serve as our key as we go through the corporate world. Future Researchers. The proposed study will help the future researchers for this will be used as a guide to developing a similar application related to review materials that run on mobile devices. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES Related literature A test is an assessment intended to measure a test-taker’s knowledge, skills, and aptitude. It may be administered formally or informally. An example of an informal test would be a reading test administered by a parent to a child. An example of a formal test would be a final examination conducted by a teacher in a classroom or an I.Q. test administered by a psychologist in a clinic. Formal testing often results in a grade or a test score. The test score may be interpreted with regards to a norm or criterion, or occasionally both. The norm may be established independently, or by statistical analysis of a vast number of participants (Test Assessment, 2012). A standardized test is one that is administered under standardized or controlled conditions that specify the questions; where, when, how, and for how long children may respond to the questions or prompts. Standardized tests should meet acceptable standards for technical qualities in construction, administration, and use. Goodwin and Driscoll (1980) note that standardized tests have different classes. They provide a systematic procedure for describing behaviors, whether in terms of numbers or categories. They include specified procedures for administration and scoring (North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, 2011). The civil service system in the Philippines was formally established under Public Law No. 5 ("An Act for the Establishment and Maintenance of Our Efficient and Honest Civil Service in the Philippine Island") in 1900 by the Second Philippine Commission. A Civil Service Board was created composed of a Chairman, a Secretary, and a Chief Examiner. The Board administered civil service examinations and set standards for appointment in government service. It was reorganized into a Bureau in 1905. The 1935 Philippine Constitution firmly established the merit system as the basis for employment in government. The following years also witnessed the expansion of the Bureaus jurisdiction to include the three branches of government: the national government, local government, and government corporations. In 1959, Republic Act 2260, otherwise known as the Civil Service Law, was enacted.

Related Studies Computer-Assisted Testing (CAT) is a PCSC-developed software program designed to administer the PCSCs Career Service professional or sub-professional examinations - the entrance test for the second and first level employees, respectively, in the government. It facilitates the systematic storage, updating and retrieval of pertinent examinee data as well as checking and scoring of examinee answers to test questions from computerized software. It is also able to generate reports of ratings and statistics for the test scores. The CAT system, a tool for test administration, replaces the paper-and-pencil type of examination and enables speedy checking and scoring of the examinees answer data on different levels or types of testing. The system provides the advantage of generating test results to examinees within one hour. It is also capable of producing statistical reports of the test scores and other pertinent data about the examination. CAT Version 1.0 was initially administered in July 1994. Under this system, the examinees read the test questions from the test booklet or printed questionnaire, but recorded their answers on the computer. In the latter part of that year, the PCSC marked another milestone in the field of testing. By redesigning the framework of the CAT Version 1.0, the PCSC came up with the CAT Version 2.0. This higher version of the CAT enables the examinees to read the questions from a computer monitor and record their answers on the machine. The design of the CAT system is so simple that even those who do not have any experience in operating computers can quickly take the test. It is equipped with user-friendly features that can be easily understood and appreciated by the examinee. One unique characteristic of the CAT is the tutorial session which the examinee may choose to undergo before proceeding to the actual test. The practice test is a ten-minute, ten-item test which enables the examinee to familiarize himself with the instructions for taking the test. Because of this, the CAT is administered with minimum supervision from a test proctor or administrator. Moreover, various Android applications have already been available in the Android market there are also mobile applications wherein you can take mock test. An example of which is the US Citizenship Test powered by Google, this mobile application will give questions about US Citizenship, as the name speaks for itself.

Figure 1: US Citizenship Test

Figure 2: PTCB Exam Review

Operational Feasibility

Figure 3: Fishbone / Ishikawa Diagram

Figure 4: Functional Decomposition Diagram

METHODOLOGY

Figure 5: Business Use Case

Figure 6: Manage User (Admin) Figure 10: Manage Android Application (Admin)

Figure 7: Manage Notification (Admin) Figure 11: Manage Contributed Question (Admin

Figure 8: Manage Test Question (Admin) Figure 12: Manage Category (Admin)

Figure 9: Manage Review Material (Admin) Figure 13: Manage Notification (User)

Figure 17: Activity Diagram for the User (Web) Figure 14: Manage Contributed Question (User)

Figure 15: Practice Test (User) Figure 18: Activity Diagram for the User (Mobile)

Figure 16: Practice Examination (User)

Activity Diagrams

Entity-Relationship Diagrams

Figure 19. ERD for the Web Applications

Deployment Diagram

Figure 22: Deployment Diagram of the Project)

VERIFICATION, VALIDATION, TESTING Unit Testing Unit testing is a software development process in which the smallest testable parts of the application, called units, are individually and independently scrutinized for proper operation. Unit testing is often automated, but it can also be done manually.

Integration Testing Integration testing, also known as integration and testing is a software development process which program units are combined and tested as groups in multiple ways. In this context, a unit is defined as the smallest testable part of the application. Integration testing can expose problems with the interfaces among program components before trouble occurs in real-world program execution.

System Testing System testing means testing of the entire software. The intention of system testing is to view if the software meets its requirements. System testing involves both Functional and Non-Functional testing. CONCLUSION The system is very helpful especially to those taking up the examination. It also gives an avenue to the reviewers to contribute questions. The usage of the Android and the Web greatly help the reviewer in the aspect of mobility. Resources used have been lessened since it only needs an android supported mobile phone or a personal computer. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The proponents have taken efforts in this Capstone Project. However, it would not have been possible without the kind support and help of many individuals. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all of them. Without their personal efforts, none of this would have been possible.

To our most precious parents who have always been there to support us, financially and emotionally. They, who have inspired us with their profound words, and who have always ignited our will to finish this project. To Dr. Jonathan O. Etcuban, we are highly indebted to you. Your guidance and constant supervision had been our way for the completion of this project. Your knowledge shared about your experiences has greatly helped us. To Dr. Cynthia Abellanosa, we are thankful that you wholeheartedly accepted our thesis project, checking and correcting our grammatical aw. To Mr. and Ms. Auman, Mr and Ms. Lao, and Mr. and Ms. Soco, no words can describe how much we are thankful to you for welcoming us into your homes as we worked on this thesis project. To our co-proponents, whom we have met as we went through this Capstone Project. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, pain, laughter and all sorts of emotions. In one way or another it helped us to look at this project in a new perspective. And lastly, to our Almighty God for giving us the wisdom and knowledge as we were working on with this project. To Him, who provides us with the audacity and strength to face all the hardships and trials throughout this whole journey. REFERENCES [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conveniencetechnologies.citenote-0 [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test-28assessment29cite [3] http://excell.csc.gov.ph/cscweb/civil.html [4] http://excell.csc.gov.ph/cscweb/examinat.html [5] http://gametlibrary.worldbank.org/FILES/963-Database20Basics [6] http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ [7] http://www.aldiko.com/ [8] http://www.appsecinc.com/whitepapers/ [9] http://www.ehow.com/role-management.html [10] http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students.htm [11] http://www.time.com/time/nation/article [12] https://play.google.com/store/apps [13] https://www.emich.edu/compsci/ [14] https://www.emich.edu/compsci/Master-Thesis.pdf [15] https://www.emich.edu/compsci/projects