Education has expanded beyond the confines of traditional classrooms and blackboards, thanks to advancing technology. The means of education are now reaching far and wide, as educational institutes increasingly use technology to streamline processes such as admissions, examinations, and fee payments. These processes are now accessible online, making them easily trackable and convenient for learners at their fingertips.
There are numerous advantages to utilizing an Online Examination System. Consider the following benefits of online exams in comparison to traditional paper-based exams, which should persuade you to adopt an online examination system.
Security of exam paper
The utilization of an online examination offers both adaptability and security to the evaluation procedure. By uploading all the questions into the system, it can randomly arrange and present them in various sequences to individual students, thereby reducing the likelihood of academic dishonesty. Conversely, this is unattainable in the case of a traditional pen-and-paper test since each paper cannot be printed in diverse orders, thereby creating opportunities for irregularities. Moreover, the risk of examination paper leakage during transmission to different exam centers is significantly reduced by employing online exam software.
Quick result processing
Compared to traditional paper-based exams, online exams present several advantages. A key benefit is the immediate and precise calculation of results. Unlike paper-based exams, online exams do not require the manual grading of each answer sheet, as the computer automatically performs this task. This not only saves time but also minimizes the risk of errors made by humans.
In contrast, paper-based exams entail multiple steps to assess results. The answer sheets must first be collected and then evaluated by a team of examiners, which can be a time-consuming process. Additionally, manual grading is susceptible to human error, particularly when grading large numbers of answer sheets.
Get rid of examination centers
Remote proctoring is a method of conducting exams using online exam software, which enables candidates to take exams from any location. The exam can be monitored through a webcam and microphone, allowing for remote surveillance. This approach enables hundreds of thousands of students to participate in exams without incurring travel and accommodation expenses. Additionally, scheduling exams across multiple centers, recruiting invigilators, and ensuring the security of these centers are no longer a concern.
Decreased logistics cost
Online exams have several advantages over traditional paper-based exams, particularly in terms of logistics and cost. One of the most significant benefits of online exams is the cost savings associated with logistics. Since the entire exam process is managed through technology, there is no need to worry about setting up exam centers or hiring invigilators. This is especially advantageous when conducting exams for multiple candidates in different locations.
On the other hand, paper-based exams require significant logistical considerations. Exam centers must be established, invigilators must be hired, and question papers and answer sheets must be distributed to each center within a defined timeline. Additionally, there must be a system in place to collect answer sheets from all centers and transport them to a central location for processing. All of these factors contribute to the overall cost of the exam.
Compatible with subjective examinations
One can find online subjective exams that require candidates to answer in plain English along with special symbols or diagrams. Such exams can be facilitated through features like speech-to-text and image upload, allowing students to incorporate hand-drawn diagrams in their responses. With individual logins, examiners can easily evaluate subjective answers.
Remote supervision
An auto surveillance mode can be used to manage online exams, wherein a web camera connected to the system captures snapshots of the student during the exam and functions as an invigilator/supervisor. This method is both cost-effective and time-efficient, as it ensures that the same student is taking the exam and allows the system to monitor the student’s activities throughout the exam. In contrast, paper-based exams require the hiring of an invigilator for a specific number of students.
Simplification of oral or viva examination
The use of online exams has simplified the administration of oral or viva exams for a large audience. Responses can be digitally recorded and assessed at a later time, eliminating the need to wait for each candidate’s turn. This approach offers significant advantages, allowing for thousands of secure, proctored viva assessments to be conducted simultaneously.
Question paper generation
Creating a question paper for a digital exam is comparatively straightforward and has the added benefit of minimizing the possibility of paper leaks. On the other hand, crafting a question paper for a traditional paper-based exam can be a challenging endeavor. This is because it involves a multitude of logistical tasks, such as handpicking the questions, designing the paper, printing it, and securely distributing it to numerous exam centers.
The flexibility of examination management
In contrast to a traditional exam, an online exam offers the advantage of being able to create, assess, and grade exam papers with greater flexibility. This includes the option to assign identical or varied sets of questions to students. On the other hand, with traditional exams, there is limited or no flexibility, and making last-minute modifications or corrections is often impossible.
Online exams can be scheduled and conducted at any time, making it easier for students and instructors to manage their schedules. Additionally, the online examination system allows for a variety of question types, including multiple-choice, short-answer, and essay questions.
Result analysis and ranking
Result analysis is effortless and immediate in an online exam. This type of exam can offer comprehensive analyses such as ranking, subject or topic-wise breakdowns, and ratios. Such analyses are beneficial for making further decisions or conducting shortlisting processes. Conversely, traditional exam result processing is a laborious and time-consuming task that requires extensive manual effort by examiners. The final result compilation involves many examiners and is susceptible to errors.
Using an online examination system in educational institutions provides numerous advantages and benefits. Candidates enjoy taking exams and acquiring new knowledge, while modernized techniques serve as a valuable resource for talent development, particularly as demographics evolve. Consequently, administering tests online benefits both examiners and candidates.