Computer Based Test (CBT) is a modern testing procedure where
each examinee answers their question directly on a computer. ItтАЩs
a bit different from the traditional way of testing where individuals will
have to answer their questions using a paper and a pencil or pen.
Computer Based Testing requires the examinee to have a grab on basic
computer knowledge,as well as understanding important navigation.
Apart from writing the exams 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
We are trying to paint the picture that based portray the pattern of
computer based test to enable prospective candidates, notably first
timers, to get the basic features of the computer based examination
scenario.
•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 always expected
of 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.
The candidate will face the computer screen awaiting the invigilators
command . 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
examinee is given examination question paper and they will be required
to answer their questions on the computer unlike the former, the
students or the examinee are not given any question paper. Here the
questions are on the computer screen while the examinee 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. It uses the WYSIWYG theory.
That means what you see is what you get. Depending on the type of
test, the computer screen might be preset to the START page where
the examinee will just have to fill in their personal details which is
sometimes part of the exams itself.
No matter what exams 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 тАЬSTARTтАЭ period and the time that the exam ends is the
тАЬSTOPтАЭ button. Examinees 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
timer. This indicates how many questions you have answered and how
to get it.
For instance you are writing a 50 question exams and you are on the
eleventh question, the question timer will indicate something like question
11 of 50. Meaning that you still have 39 questions unanswered. Simple
maths isn't it?
(d) Test Navigations: 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)
тАЬNEXTтАЭ which goes to the next question when clicked, clicking
next moves you the next screen (2) This gives the examinee the
opportunity to go back to earlier answered question, she they changed
their mind towards the ostensibly correct answer. Clicking PREVIOUS
moves you back one screen, (3) тАЬSUBMITтАЭ 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. This at times marks
the STOP of the exams.
(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.
How Do You Choose the Correct Answers ?
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:
Solve for y .
A. 6
B. 5
C. 4
D. 3
E. 2
You select one of the best answers by:
•Pressing the letter on the keyboard,
•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.
Hope this write up gives you a brief overview of the pattern of
computer based test. So, as expected, if you read this article before
the test, it means you have what it takes to succeed in your exams