ONLINE EXAMINATION:Online examination sometimes referred as e-examinations are the examinations conducted through internet or in an intranet. Candidate is given a limited time to answer the questions and after the time expiry, the answer paper is disabled automatically and answers sent to the examiner.The examiner will evaluate answers either through automated process or manually and the results will be sent to the candidates through email or made available in the website.

THE SYSTEM: Internet will be used as a media for disseminating and conducting tests thus maintaining a uniform

pattern for all the examiners. The task of maintaining the record of scores and the tests for which a particular candidate has

appeared will be done by the portal The progress reports can be printed at any point of time by just providing the necessary details of a

candidate. Faculties can provide a question bank consisting of questions of varied difficulty level. This system aims to be a powerful tool for e-learning and online education. This system is consisting of web server with a database facility. This server is configured with proper

security measures Examine can correct through the internet with a web browser(internet explorer, Mozilla fire fox etc.,)

to the server and take the exam. Examiners too can connect to the server through the internet of or through the intranet for setting up

papers and to do other related tasks.

FUNCTIONING OF ONLINE EXAMINATION SYSTEM: The system is consisting of a web server with a data base facility. This server is configured with proper

security measures

1. Having an in-house web server:

2. obtain web hosting facility with server side programming and database facility from a web service provider.

How the software works:The software maintains the details for each student as well as provides a facility for editing the student details if required.There is password access for individual answer sheet , general mark lists, trends graphs.

1. HAVING AN IN-HOUSE WEB SERVER:

.

2. Obtain web hosting facility with server side programming and data base facility from a web service provider

HOW THE SOFTWARE SYSTEM WORKS? The software maintain the details for each student as well as provides a facility for editing the student

details if require. There is a password access for individual answer sheets, general marks lists and trends graphs.

NEED: Confidence that a large no. of students are all being assessed equally Reduced opportunity for testing

Less marking work, where as entire year’s assessment can be made based on the output of students over 2-3 hours period.

Create the examination and keep the contents secure until the examination starts Supervise the exam: supervise the entry of students into the exam environment, identify them if

necessary, ensure that they do not have prohibited material or communication devices, make sure they do not communicate with each other and collect the examination papers at the end of the examination period

What is the Role of Online Exams in Education?

Exams are very important in our life. They let us check our subject expertise and skills. If you are learning something, you can

judge the result of your learning online through an exam. This is why exams are conducted. There are basically two methods of

conducting an exam: offline and online. With the ease of the internet access, many exams these days are conducted online.

Online exams are easy to conduct and maintain professionalism in the process. Below are discussed some benefits of online

examination system.

Easy Process:

Online examination process is easy both for the host and the candidates. Online exam process can be arranged easily and

quickly. All you need is a computer lab and a working internet connection. Even if an organization doesn’t have enough

number of computers, the exam can be organized anywhere in any college as the process is completely online. It is also easy to

manage the process of examination. We need not to assign many invigilators to keep an eye on the candidates. It is also easy for

candidates to give an exam using a computer.

Parameter Online Exam Paper Based Exam

Security of

Examination Paper

Online exam provides flexibility

and security for question paper as

each student can get

random questions of same exam

pattern.

It is not possible to set different exam paper for

different student and there are chances of

leakage of exam paper while passing it to

different examination centers.

 

 

Result Processing

Online Examination Results are

instant and accurate

In case of paper based exam

overheads associated with

verification of answers and result

processing are huge and prone to errors

Examination

Center

Online Exam can be conducted

where candidate can appear for it

from remote examination

In case of traditional exam, management of

examination includes classroom infrastructure,

question paper, answer sheets

centers with web camera

surveillance technique. So

hundreds or thousands of students

can appear for it from various

locations

Logistic Logistic cost is minimum Logistic cost is high

Subjective

Questions

Online Exam can have limitations

for subjective exams like drawing,

diagrams No such limitations for paper based exam.

Per Examination

Cost

Due to flexibility of online

examination cost per candidate can

be around Rs. 50 to Rs. 150

including examination center cost.Paper based exam would cost more than Rs 300

to Rs. 400 per candidate.

Supervisor

Online Exam can be managed in

auto surveillance mode where web

camera connected to the

system would take snapshot of the

student appearing

for the exam. This would ensure

that same student is appearing for

the exam and system is

able to keep track on student

during exam.

Steps to be followed in Online Examination

Candidates who have till date given examinations offline need to get themselves accustomed to the new online method which is

turning out to be the standard norm for taking examinations around the nation. There are major nationwide examinations that

are being conducted online. Lakhs of people are sitting for online examinations in each of the exams. Hence, it is important for

the examinees to understand the online exam method and pattern of it. Though there are offline exams still getting conducted

for many exams in India, online examination has certainly turned out to be the future. In a country like India where computer

literacy is still not up to the mark, many candidates find it difficult to cope with the newly launched online method of

examination. Hence, it is important to take them to a comfort level so that they don’t get the additional fear while giving the

examination.

Some of the steps mentioned below can help the candidates learn the exact methods to get thorough with online examination.

These steps could well help candidates to deal with less clutter while beginning their examination.

Get your User Id and Password first: Upon successful registration the candidate would be provided with a unique User ID

and Password which would help them to log in to the screen of the computer they would be in, while giving the examination.

They could get the user id and password at the examination center as well, which they need to use as their entry into the

gateway.

Make yourself ready: Once you log in to a computer to start your examination you would get to a page where a button ‘I

am ready to begin’ would appear. If you are ready for the examination you can click the button. Upon clicking it your

stipulated time for the examination would start counting. Hence, make sure you are fully prepared, mentally and physically,

for the examination so that you don’t lose a moment of your examination.

Mark your answers: You need to mark your answers by mouse click for every question. There would be multiple choices

for all the questions. You need to select the answer and mouse click on the box of the answer. Upon clicking the box you

need to click ‘Save & Next’ button to move to the next question.

Try to move sequentially: Previously the candidates could begin their examination from any of the paper starting from any

of the question of their choice. But in the online examination pattern this might not be an intelligent thing to do. There is a

certain time that gets lost while you travel from one question to the other and thus you might lose a considerable amount of

time shifting. Thus it is advised to go sequentially and if someone thinks they can’t answer a question they can always leave

it to come back later as it gets marked with a different color.

Asses your progress: On the right hand side of your screen there would be question numbers from the paper you are solving

them. There would be some specific color around the question numbers so that you can know the status of the question paper

while answering the other questions. If you left a question unanswered it would turn red while if you let a question go un-

attempted it would remain white. Green and violet colors would appear respectively on answered and properly marked

questions. Through the colors you can actually get to know the status of your paper and how much effort you have to put in

to complete the paper on time.

Click the Submit button at the end: You can end the examination only after the stipulated time ends. Thus if you are left

with few minutes, try and utilize it by revising the whole paper so that you don’t accidently left any question that you have

left to attempt later. Once you are done with the paper you need to click on the ‘submit’ button to finish your examination.

Importance of Online Examination System:-

Fast Process:

Traditional exams are good, but it takes them many days or months to display the result of the examination as the

copies are checked manually. While in online examination, checking and result process is completely online performed

by a computer that makes it faster. Results of an online exam can be declared within a few days of the exam.

Remote Access: Another benefit of online examination is that it can be conducted from anywhere with easy access to any part of the

world. Since the internet is in the reach of everyone, an online exam can be accessed easily anywhere.

High Accuracy: As the results of online exams are checked by a machine, the accuracy level is high. A man can easily make mistakes

while checking exam copy, but with a computer, the probability is very low. In a traditional exam pattern, we may need

to get our copies rechecked in the case of any dispute, but we will never need this with an online examination process

as the probability of mistakes is very low.

Resources: Though an online exam needs more resources than a traditional exam, but these resources are reusable. In an online

examination, you will need to use a computer and the internet, which you need not to purchase as you can always find

one on rent. In traditional exams, we use papers and pen/pencils, which are wasted after the exam. You cannot use an

exam paper again for another purpose. This way, we can make better use of the resources through online exams.

Advantages of online examination

Online examination systems seek to efficiently evaluate the exam partakers thoroughly through a fully automated system that

not only saves time but also give fast results. The Online examination system helps to completely automate the old manual

procedure of conducting exams. Usually it is done through a Web Based Online Examination Software or and Intranet variant.

It also significantly eliminates the need for monitoring while the exam is being taken. All instructions are displayed to the exam

taker before the tests begin.

To effectively deliver an examination, 3 major components have to be catered for efficiently.

They are:

1. Creation of exams – Obviously, an exam will have to be created. Examiners can create exams online. The contents also

have to be kept securely until the examination starts.

2. Supervision of examination – Students have to be efficiently identified, and screened to ensure that they so not

compromise the standards of the exams.

3. Marking of the exams. Marking is the ultimate stage in any examination as it determines the success or failure of the

candidate. It is the stage that dictates the next level of success and achievement in life.

A major highlight of using a web based exam software or an online examination system is that it gives a high level of

transparency as opposed to the traditional method or remote method. It is almost impossible to compromise exam questions and

evaluations because they cannot also be influenced. Most online exams generate their results instantly and it is often possible

for the exam taker to get information on his results immediately. Some of the major advantages of online examination include

the following:

Security and confidentiality

As has been stated before, the security and confidentiality of an exam are critical if the exam is to retain its value. Prepared

exams need to be securely kept. Any leakage will definitely compromise the standard of the exam and may result to a

cancelation or a retake. All these features are well addressed using an online system because not only is the content of the exam

safely locked away in a database, access to the database is only possible with an authorized personnel. A lot of possibilities are

also opened up on exam day as it allows you to conveniently make your own test in a secure environment. Questions can easily

be randomized so that no participants see the same questions in the same order. Questions can easily be mixed as each new

question is added to the system’s database. The questions can then be randomly drawn from the database. This is why most

examination bodies have gradually adopted the online platform.

Accessibility and Flexibility

Exams can be conducted anywhere. All a student needs is a personal computer with internet connection. A student does not

need a long commute to exam venue as long as these requirements are met. This also means that thousands of students can take

the same exams over a wide spread of locations. Gone are days, students move from one region or locality to another in the

name of sitting the examination. A lot of lives have been lost in the process due to accident and other similar mishaps. In the

same vein, examiners also benefit from this. Examiners do not have to bother with the laborious task of marking exams as this

is well taken care of by the system. The system actually marks each exam and presents the result to the student at the end of the

exam. Examiners are also afforded the opportunity to create exam online through an online examination system that can present

examinations in multiple languages. Multiple exams on multiple subjects for multiple courses can also be set. Exams can also

be configured for 24/7 availability. This allows candidates to take exams at their own convenience.

Cost saving

When an exam is placed online, it results in significant cost savings. The cost of paper, copying, and distribution expenses are

all reduced or eliminated. The elimination of paper costs alone is extraordinary. The copying and distribution of assignments to

a large class are often unwieldy and inefficient. Administrators anxious to reduce expenditures are likely to strongly favor the

transition from paper assignments examinations to using online assessment software.

Time management

Online examination systems make use of computers that helps in saving time. With the widespread availability of computers

and the internet, there is a general acceptability and endorsement of this system. The lengthy formalities and processes involved

in creating question papers, registering candidates for exams, answer sheet evaluation and declaration of results are completely

eradicated with the online exam system. Each student is timed precisely and all results are generated instantaneously. In some

cases, a candidate may even be able to get an assessment on failed questions.

Statistical analysis

On a statistical point of view, compared data can be stored over time. This means that different comparative analysis can be

done to analyze the outcomes of exams overtime. Depending on the online exam system used, statistical data can be pulled to

analyze different data and create reports.

No printing or distribution expenses for question papers No transport & logistics expenses while conducting exams across several geographically scattered Maintain confidentiality & avoid paper leaks Users can take exams as per their convenience Immediate results Store data for comparison in subsequent years Saving substantial amount of paper Go Green: Prevent the use of paper Can be conducted for remote candidate No need of arrangements, centers & invigilators

Computer Based Testing (CBT):-

To provide the opportunity for candidates to take computerized examinations via computer based testing (CBT) at local testing centers worldwide. This new testing method provides candidate with top-of-the line security measures and comfortable testing environment further, candidates are able to take their examination closes to home, saving both time and money.

Advantages to the Candidate:-

Conveniently located testing centers close to home Les travel to testing site means less time and money spent Top-off the line security measures Extensive encryption No outside materials allowed inside testing rooms Strict candidate identification standards A comfortable and consistent testing environment in all examinations centers Images on the computer screen provide maximum readability Answers are recorded directly into the computer therefore eliminations possible transcription error

from scanning format answer sheets

Computerized Classification Test (CCT):-

A computerized classification test (CCT) refers to, as its name would suggests a test that is administered by computer for purpose of classifying examinees. The most common act is a mastery test where the test classifies examines as “Pass” or “Fail”, but term also includes tests the classics examinees into more than two categories while the term may generally be considered to refer to all computer administered test for classification, it is usually used to refer to test interactively administered or of variable -length, similar to Computer adaptive testing (CAT). CAT, Variable-length CCTS can accomplish the goal of the test (accurate classification) with a fraction of the number of items used in a convention fixed-form test.

A CCT requires several components,

An item bank elaborated with psycho met model selected by the test designer A starting point

Computer based examination

C.B.E is the examination which will be conducting using the local area network (LAN) to make it safe, secure and uninterrupted:

Candidates can apply through online need to know only how to use the computer mouse In CBS the questions will appear on computer screen along with the answers options

Instruction pages will also be displayed before the actual test begins the time of reading of instructions will not be part of examination duration

Question paper will be mailed to each & every candidate after the exam scheduled is over

USE OF COMPUTER IN EVALUATION:

Modern technology offers educators a variety of new tools that can be used in the classroom Computer helps students to track and assess their students as well as their own performance

in classroom It can also be used in facilitate communication between students- teachers and to create

digital records of students growth and development, that can easily be passed along from grade to grade

It helps to improve self evaluation and improve teaching Teacher can use computer to make their own work more productive Teachers can use spread sheets to track student’s work and also track their teaching plans These tool can also help admins to assess and improve teacher’s performance Internet is another tool that can be used to communicate about assessment, evaluation and

curriculum redesign with wider community. This workshop series is an example of the idea in practice

Computer gives a way to get feedback continually during the teaching process instead of at the end of the teaching process

Technology also can be used for preparation of portfolio, which students can use for evaluation

Computer generated movies as apart of a multimedia portfolio, speeches, musical performances and compositions can also be included in appropriate file formats allowing for the documentation of dramatic, musical and other performance based on activities

Continual feedback between teachers and students generates a way of teaching that is very different from the traditional approach

Technology is just a new set of tools, which are useful only if they add value to the learning experience.

References:

Andrew P. Barkley - An Analysis of Online Examinations in College Courses

Jia Shen, Kung-E Cheng, Michael Bieber,Starr Roxanne Hiltz-Traditional In-class Examination vs. Collaborative Online

Examination in Asynchronous Learning Networks: Field Evaluation Results