The computerized testing platform is system that organizations to give tests and collect the results of the test in a secure and reliable manner. Please see Figure 1. There are six parts to the system. The parts are:
- (Test Document Creator)
Software that allows the tester to create a document that describes
the parameters of the test. It is this document that will be transferred
to the client computer. The client computer runs software that interprets
this document and displays the test form to the user. For security purposes
the Test Document Creator software could encrypt the test document.
The parameters of the test could include but is not limited to the following:
- The name and type of test
- The number of test sections
- The number of questions per section
- The type of each question (multiple choice, True/False, Fill in the Blank, etc)
- The time limit for each test/ section/ question
- The type of security to use
- The answers for each question (For situations where self-checking is needed)
- Hints to questions
- The test questions (For computing devices where the screen resolution and size allows question to be shown. Showing test questions are optional.)
- (Test Document Download) Software that downloads the test description document to the client computer.
- (Test Display) The software that runs on the client and interprets the test document. The Test Display software displays an electronic form that the user can enter answers. A key feature in this module is TestLock, a security implementation that prevents the test taker from being able to access any other software or hardware feature of the client computer while the test is being taken. This security feature is important in preventing cheating.
- (Test Upload) This software uploads a completed test or if the tester prefer, the score of the graded test, from the client computer to the computer responsible for collecting results.
- (Test Grader) This software is responsible for grading and analyzing corrected test results.
- (Test Notify) This software is responsible for disseminating the final test results back to the test takers.