Learning and assessment have evolved at a remarkable pace. <\/span>Ebooks have replaced books and training manuals, physical classrooms have turned into online classrooms, and paper-based tests have become <\/span>computer-based assessments<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n For a very long time, until the arrival of computers, paper-based tests were the only assessment method available to educators & trainers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n They would need to:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n It was time-consuming, to say the least.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Only when technology-based assessment systems arrived did the idea of pen-and-paper assessments become redundant and slowly give way to <\/span>a better, much more effective system<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, compelling features such as <\/span>accessibility, scalability, and security<\/b> make online computer-based assessments highly desirable and widely adopted. A machine can take care of all the menial tasks related to assessment, freeing up instructors for other crucial tasks.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n But what is a computer-based assessment? How does it work? What are the advantages of using this type of testing?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s find out.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n In simple terms, computer-based assessment is the practice of assigning <\/span>quizzes<\/span><\/a> and tests to learners on a computer instead of paper. Computer-based assessments are already used widely in many eLearning environments.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, the last time you took a written driver\u2019s test, you probably used a computer.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n This type of test is also being used in schools, starting as early as third grade, often to deliver standardized tests, as well as in colleges and universities and in <\/span>employee training<\/span><\/a> programs.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n But not all computer-based assessments are online assessments.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Computer-based assessment is not a new idea; it has been around in some form since 1959, when the very first computer-based training (CBT) system was built.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n But, like CBT, computer-based assessments didn\u2019t get much recognition until a few decades ago. It only started becoming really influential in the past few years, as online technologies have greatly advanced what is possible.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Because computer-based assessment has changed so much since its inception, it isn\u2019t always clear what people are talking about when they use the term.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n At its broadest, the definition of computer-based assessment is this: \u201cthe use of digital tools for assessment-related activity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Notice the use of the term \u201cdigital tools\u201d rather than \u201ccomputers\u201d\u2014this is because today computer-based assessments can be created and taken using laptops, tablets, and even smartphones.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Any testing that involves the use of these technologies, as opposed to paper and pencils, can be considered under the umbrella of computer-based assessment.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s quite obvious that assessments that run on computers are computer-based assessments. But here\u2019s what confuses many people \u2013 are all such assessments created and taken online?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people would ask \u2013 what is computer-based assessment? Is it always online?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n The answer is – No.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n All online assessments are computer-based, but the reverse is not true. <\/b>You can conduct computer-based assessments offline too.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s how offline and online computer-based assessments differ:<\/span> <\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n Offline computer-based assessments:<\/b> These are assessments that are created on computer-based test software and are available only on a single device.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n These tests are offline, so a single set of tests can\u2019t be taken on two devices simultaneously, and the responses are stored in a database. The grades are assigned manually and the reports are prepared much later.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Online computer-based assessments:<\/b> Online assessments or online computer-based tests are created using <\/span>online assessment software<\/span><\/a> so they can be taken anytime, anywhere, and on any device.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Online assessment in education is vital since a single set of tests or assessments can be attempted on many devices simultaneously. The answers can be automatically graded, and the responses are stored in auto-generated reports.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Instructors can visit the reports anytime to review individual or group performances. You can easily create reports using online assessment tools<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on how you implement them, there are two types of online computer-based assessments:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n This type is similar to the original <\/span>computer-based training<\/span><\/a>. Here, online assessments are embedded within larger e-learning modules so that all learning activities occur on the computer. You ask learners to complete an e-learning module with quizzes interspersed throughout and culminating in a longer, comprehensive final test.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can use this assessment type in all learning environments, including in-person courses. Here, an instructor uses an online assessment creator to develop quizzes and tests and share them with their learners. You can use such assessments to boost learner engagement and measure comprehension and retention on an ongoing basis. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, an educator could start every class with a short quiz that students take on their smartphones. Similarly, businesses can conduct standalone assessments to assess training needs<\/a>, refresh knowledge imparted in training programs, and assess skills during recruitment. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Online computer-based assessment is a broad term encompassing several different online testing software<\/a> and technologies.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most common tools is computer-based assessment software, in which an instructor uses a web-based assessment platforms<\/a> to create and share an assessment.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, the instructor provides a link to the students who take the assessment online.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n The online assessment creator automatically takes care of all of the administrative tasks\u2014tracking who has completed the test, collecting data such as how much time students spend on each question, and even grading the tests and providing feedback to the students.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Computer-based assessments have several applications spread across the business and education landscape. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can conduct assessments during a training or educational course to ensure comprehension and reinforce knowledge of key concepts. For example, you can conduct an assessment after every chapter in a <\/span>training course<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can conduct an assessment <\/span>at the end of the training<\/span><\/a> or educational course to check its overall impact on the learners\u2019 knowledge levels. Using the data and insights you get from such assessments, you can modify your learning modules or methodologies for maximum effectiveness.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Computer-based assessment software makes it easy to conduct highly secure and credible exams. For example, using assessment software, you can easily prevent unauthorized access by making your quizzes private and granting access via password-protected individualized logins or single sign-on(SSO).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also prevent cheating in various unique ways. For example, you can randomize the order of questions and answers or create a question pool to present a different, randomly-selected set of questions to each assessment taker. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Online assessment software provides an automated and streamlined way to run certification tests for any requirement. Such certification tests can be classified into two categories:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Corporate trainers conduct these tests to certify employees on knowledge of new products and services or on federal, state, and industry regulations and safety standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Acer had been looking for a solution that would let them train and certify employees on new product releases. They wanted a powerful assessment tool that would let them provide learners with the option to request training courses at the end of the assessment.<\/p>\n They also wanted to be able to create question banks and have instructors collaborate on the content.<\/p>\n Acer used computer-based assessment software<\/a> to easily set up a training system consisting of online training<\/a>, assessment, and certification. They found online testing<\/a> to be an excellent solution to their requirements.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n These are conducted by coaching & training institutes and certification agencies to certify their clients on general skills, such as language proficiency, or specific skills from various domains, such as information technology, finance, healthcare, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/span>What Is a Computer-Based Assessment?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Computer-Based](\"https:\/\/www.proprofs.com\/quiz-school\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/What-Is-a-Computer-Based-Assessment-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHistory of Computer-Based Assessment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Are All Computer-Based Assessments Online Assessments?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Types of Online Computer-Based Assessment<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Assessments embedded within e-learning modules<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Standalone online assessments<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>How Does a Computer-Based Online Assessment Work?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Read More: What Is Educational Assessment and Why Is It Necessary <\/a><\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Applications of Computer-Based Assessments<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Formative Assessment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Summative Assessment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Secure Exams<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Certification<\/b> Tests<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Internal Certification Tests<\/b>
<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nCase Study: Acer<\/h3>\n
External Certification Tests<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"financial-analyst-skills-assessment\"](\"https:\/\/www.proprofs.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Financial-analyst-Skills-Assessment.png\")
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