The Use of Computer Based Testing Method for the Conduct of Examinations at the University of Ilorin

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the application of Information and Communication Technology in the conduct of post-UTME and other examinations at the University of Ilorin. It provides a brief historical background to the practice at the University, dating back to 2005 when it started by adopting the Pen-and-Paper Testing up to the present practice, using the Computer-Based Testing method. The paper underscored the challenges associated with the former practice, thus justifying the introduction of the latter, thereby justifying it. In conclusion, this paper advocates the widespread adoption of CBT method for the conduct of ISSN 2164-4063 2012 www.macrothink.org/ijld 69 not just the post-UTME examinations, but also other University-based examinations with large population of students in Nigerian Universities owing to the success story of the University of Ilorin. International Journal of Learning & Development IntroductionInformation and Communication Technology (ICT) has become, within a very short time, one of the basic building blocks of modern society. Many countries now regard understanding it and mastering its basic skills and concepts as very crucial in education. This is because it adds value to the processes of learning and to the organization and administration of learning institutions. It encompasses different types of technologies, which are utilized for capturing, processing and transmitting data and information, using computer facilities. It is an umbrella term that includes communication device or application, encompassing radio, television, cellular phones, computers, network, hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them (Kumar, 2006).Thus, ICT focuses specifically on the application of these new technologies in an educational context and environment, and serves as a tool for supporting the various components of education. Such components include, among others, teaching and learning, resources management (human, material, financial resources) and admission and examination processes also known as learning assessment. One specific form of ICT for assessment is the Computer-Based Testing (CBT), also known as Computer-Based Assessment or e-exam. It is a method of administering tests in which the responses are electronically recorded, assessed, or both. It is commonly available for several admissions tests throughout the developed countries (Wikipedia, 2012). This method of testing is important because it can measure different skills or sets of knowledge in order to provide new and better information about individuals" abilities. Colleges and universities receive CBT results more quickly than those from paper-based test, and they can make their admissions decisions more quickly. Individuals can take a CBT even with minimal or no previous computer experience; since; instructions provided in a basic computer tutorial before the test will provide the experience needed to take the test using a mouse. One may spend much ...

Opinions of Undergraduates on the Use of Electronic Examination in a Nigerian University

“…This tends to fall in line with the global recognition of e-exams as a means of providing credibility and civility to examination system, thus improving the education sector (Akpata, 2013). This also tallies with the finding of Alabi, Issa and Oyekunle (2012) that undergraduates at the University of Ilorin preferred computer-based testing to pencil-and-paper examination.…”

Young Learners’ Perceptions on the Implementation of Online English Proficiency Test

“…Previous studies have indicated that technology-based testing in K-12 settings brings potential benefits as mentioned above (Alabi, Issa, & Oyekunle, 2012;Luecht & Sireci, 2011;Friedrich, 2008;Way, Davis, & Fitzpatrick, 2006;Chapelle, 2003). Moreover, as the data from previous surveys signpost students' positive responses towards this kind of test (Way, Davis, & Fitzpatrick, 2006), the present study aims at exploring whether those affirmative reactions also occur in the Indonesian context, particularly to elementary school students.…”

“…As a viable alternative to paperand-pencil testing, a technology-based test has been a broad-based production that encompasses a large variety of assessment types, purposes, test delivery designs, and item types appropriated for wide-ranging areas that cover educational accountability and achievement testing, college and graduate admission testing, professional certification and licensure testing, psychological testing, intelligence testing, language testing, employment testing, adult education, and military use (Luecht & Sireci, (2011). Friedrich (2008) and Alabi, Issa, & Oyekunle (2012) support by stating that these types of testing allow the users to write, organize, deliver, and report on tests or surveys. Besides providing results more quickly than the paper-based testing, computer-based testing or web-based testing enable someone who has minimal or no previous computer experience to take the test as it commonly provides instruction tutorials before the examination begins.…”

“…The test is delivered through internet technology and can be accessed through multiple platforms in Personal Computer (PC), laptop, or smartphones (Gupta, 2018). Similar to Computer-Based Testing (CBT), a web-based test is one specific form of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for assessment to administer tests in which the responses are electronically recorded, assessed, or both (Alabi, Issa, & Oyekunle, 2012).…”

Behavioural Tendencies of LIS Undergraduates Towards Computer Based Examinations (CBE) in Nigeria

“…In 2005 the university system in Nigeria launched what they term post JAMB screening examination as a means of authenticating or validating scores obtained from JAMB. In response to some challenges faced in assessing candidates through the paper and pencil test, the university of Ilorin through her Senate became one of the first universities in Nigeria to commence the Computer Based Test for applicants in the year 2008 (Alabi, Issa, and Oyekunle, 2012). Similarly, Nnamdi Azikiwe University which is a federal university in Nigeria was said to have started computer based examination in 2015 as reported by Nnamdi Azikiwe University (nd).…”