This is not as simple a question as it might appear. Computer Based Testing and Assessment (or e-Assessment) means many things to many people

Within this educationwise web-site we have taken a broad view, that is to icnlude virtually all aspects of assessment activity where the computer is used to deliver a task, or set of tasks and questions, and then collect the response.

This includes ‘set assignments’ and coursework as much as the more obvious and common on-line test. It could also involve capture of work originally on paper that is scanned in to a computer and then marked by some combination of human markers or the electronic markers. Although in these early releases of the itembank we will concentrate on the the ‘traditional’ areas of e-assessment such as testing.

Where questions or tasks are delivered to candidates via a computer terminal – typically involves six stages

• develop
• author, develop and store questions or tasks in an item bank or repository
• produce
• assist the selection of a subset of questions or tasks, and gather together in an electronic ‘paper’ or assignment
• deliver
• display of computer stored questions or tasks
• process
• collect responses from candidates in a controlled and secure manner
• mark
• by computer or support human marking of responses
• feedback
• return results to candidates and administration systems

In fact it fits into a range of areas of work among others including:

• e-Learning - as the method of measuring progress on a course of study,
• electronic portfolios - as means of developing and holding course work or material for a set assignment,
• computer based examination administration - to hold registrations, entries and results of qualifications, examinations and tests,
• EDI - as a means of transferring large volumes of data between computer systems in a quick, fool proof and auditable manner, and
• OMR response/data collection systems

• Computer Based Assessment and Testing can be used as part of High stakes qualifications (such as publicly accredited qualifications) and low stakes assessment within the classroom, workplace or at home.

• There are many solutions, you must extract appropriateness of solution according to the requirements.

• Must Be : Fit for purpose and appropriate