Many people find CBT difficult because its their first time using computer while some don’t even know how to go about it. In this post, I will be touching some areas where you will surely come across in the examination.
Computer Based Test (CBT) is a modern testing procedure where examiner answers their question directly on a computer. It’s a bit different from the
traditional way of testing where individuals will have to answer their questions using a paper and a pencil.
traditional way of testing where individuals will have to answer their questions using a paper and a pencil.
Computer Based Testing requires the examiner to have a grab on basic computer knowledge, which involves
appreciation of common computer desktop icons, basic mouse use, as well as understanding important navigation.
appreciation of common computer desktop icons, basic mouse use, as well as understanding important navigation.
Apart from writing the exam on a
computer, the arrangement of the exams with respect to timing and level of precision also differs with the conventional paper and pencil based testing.
computer, the arrangement of the exams with respect to timing and level of precision also differs with the conventional paper and pencil based testing.
• Features of Computer Based Test
(1) One-Student-One-Computer: This testing system is based on one person per computer system at a particular time. As a good student, you are advised to enter the examination hall only with the approved examination materials. The candidate will sit close to the computer system, maybe a laptop computer or a desktop computer. (See image)
The candidate will face the computer screen awaiting the invigilator command “START”. Some Exams like the ones mostly administered by PEARSON are strictly on computer based while some others may be dual, i.e both computer and paper. In the latter, the students or
examiner is given examination question paper and they will be required to answer their questions on the computer unlike the former, the students or the examiners are not given any question paper.
examiner is given examination question paper and they will be required to answer their questions on the computer unlike the former, the students or the examiners are not given any question paper.
Here, the questions are on the computer screen while the examiner chooses their seemingly correct answers by right clicking the radio button.
(2) Computer Based Test Desktop, How does it look like? All computer desktops contain icons for simple
computer user interaction with the computer system. Depending on the type of test, the computer screen might be preset to the START page where the examiner will just have to fill in their personal details which is sometimes part of the exams itself.
computer user interaction with the computer system. Depending on the type of test, the computer screen might be preset to the START page where the examiner will just have to fill in their personal details which is sometimes part of the exams itself.
No matter what examination it is, the basic icons that will be found in the screen will not be very far from what I will explain below in point number three.
(3) What are the notable desktop icons for Computer Based Test (CBT)?
(a) The START Button: the time that every exam commences is the “START” period and the time that the exam ends is the “STOP” button.
Examiners should be very watchful of this button as it the paramount of all.
(b) Time and Progress: Immediately when you click start, the clock timer begins to count, which indicates the progress of the exams. This also indicates the time that is remaining for the exams. At any point of the exams, at least you should be able to see how much time remaining for you.
(c) Question Counter: just like the time counter, there is also questions counter. This indicates how many questions you have answered and how many are remaining. You will not likely be in a loop while writing computer based test. For instance you are writing a 50 question exams and you are on the
eleventh question, the question counter will indicate something like “Question 11 of 50”. Meaning that you still have 39 questions unanswered. Simple maths isn’t it? YES!
eleventh question, the question counter will indicate something like “Question 11 of 50”. Meaning that you still have 39 questions unanswered. Simple maths isn’t it? YES!
(d) Test Navigation: This feature of a computer based test is as important as the test itself and they are always available on the test screen throughout the test session.
Notable of the navigations are (1) “NEXT” which goes to the next question when clicked, clicking next moves you the next screen (2)“PREVIOUS”, this gives the examiner the opportunity to go back to earlier answered question. Clicking PREVIOUS moves backward. (3)“SUBMIT” this is the most important of all the buttons, because there is nothing as bad as writing a test without submitting it. You will not have your score if you did not submit your test. Clicking submit button submits the test or exams and sometimes closes the exam window. (e) The Scroll Bar: Some test may not fit on the screen. For these questions, a scroll bar will appear. To reveal the rest of the questions, either you use the mouse to click drag the scroll bar or click on the arrows on either end of the scroll bar.
Most times, the questions in computer based test are in the multi-choice format. This is called multi Choice Question where you will be required to pick the correct answer(s).
For instance, something like this appears on your screen:
Choose the option that best completes the gap(s).
He was both a writer and a politician, but he was better_______
He was both a writer and a politician, but he was better_______
A. As if
B. Like
C. As
D. To be
_____ a singer
_____ a singer
[JAMB Eng 2012. Question 66]
You select one of the best answers by: » Pressing the letter on the keyboard or
» Clicking the radio button with a mouse, or
» Use the Tab Key to move through the options and then pressing the space-bar to select an option.
Select the next button to continue to the next question.
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