An Introduction to the
ONLINE
EXAM APPLICATION
Version 1.1
Department:
OIT
Application Development: Carolyn Ray
Documentation:
Carolyn Ray
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 2
Real-life Experience ....................................................................................... 2
Flexibility ........................................................................................................ 2
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .................................................................. 3
What is the exam’s web address? .............................................................. 3
Can anyone view the exam? ...................................................................... 3
How do students obtain a login? ................................................................ 3
Where are exams stored? .......................................................................... 3
How are exam scores obtained? ................................................................ 3
Are exams timed? ...................................................................................... 3
Will faculty & staff members have access to the exam? ............................ 3
How many times can a student submit an exam? ...................................... 3
How will a student know that his/her exam has been submitted
successfully? .............................................................................................. 4
Have there ever been any problems with submitting exams, or any data
loss? ........................................................................................................... 5
How many questions are allowed?............................................................. 5
How many options per question? ............................................................... 5
Can pictures be used in the question or question options? ........................ 5
What other types of media can be used in the question and/or options? ... 5
How long does it take to get an exam up and running? ............................. 5
Who should I contact in order to have my exam placed online? ................ 5
How long does exam data stay in the exam database? ............................. 5
PREPARING AN EXAM FOR PUBLIC USE ........................................................ 6
Departmental Role: ........................................................................................ 6
OIT Role: ....................................................................................................... 6
SCREEN SAMPLES ............................................................................................. 7
Login: ............................................................................................................. 7
Questionnaire: ............................................................................................... 8
Login Status: .................................................................................................. 9
Exam Instructions: ....................................................................................... 10
The Exam Itself: ........................................................................................... 11
Exam Summary Page: ................................................................................. 12
Submission Confirmation: ............................................................................ 13
REPORT SAMPLE ............................................................................................. 14
Questionnaire: ............................................................................................. 14
Exam Results:.............................................................................................. 15
2
SUMMARY
The Online Exam Application is a web application software tool that hosts
Multiple-choice exams across the internet.
Since the overall exam structure is the same for each specific exam (Math, LLC,
etc) online exams can be published to the web in relatively short times.
The Online Exam Application is currently used for the Math Placement exam
(starting in 2004).
Real-life Experience
The Online Exam Application has been designed to simulate the traditional exam
experience. In so doing,
o Instructions are available specific to each exam
o A sample exam is included for each exam
o Each exam is preceded by an exam questionnaire, collecting,
minimally the exam-taker’s first and last name
o During an exam, answers to questions may be changed before
submission.
o Results are only viewable by faculty/staff
Flexibility
The Application is flexible in that it
1)
allows any number of questions (and question options) with
respect only to disk space.
2)
Allows horizontal or vertical question display format
3)
Uses text, graphic, and other type of media to make up its
multiple choice questions
4)
Can be timed
5)
Allows a custom exam questionnaire and custom exam report
layout
6)
Can host a number of exams at any one time
7)
Was developed in-house, and is subject to change according to
approved requests (for the benefit of all departments)
8)
May or may not require login access
3
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the exam’s web address?
Go to www.muhlenberg.edu/placement. From there, follow the links until you get
to the specific exam desired.
Can anyone view the exam?
If an exam requires a login then the exam is only accessible to users providing
the proper login creditials.
How do exam users obtain a login?
Students who have been admitted to Muhlenberg (and have not registered) will
be able to login using their first and last name EXACTLY as inscribed on your
placement exam invitation, along with their birthdate.
All others (students, staff) may use their network login.
Will faculty & staff members have access to student exams which
require a login?
Faculty and staff members can have access to view student exam contents or
even submit a test exam. However, special login credentials would need to be
assigned.
Where are exams stored?
In the exam database on one of Muhlenberg’s servers.
How are exam scores obtained?
In the past, exam reports were generated by the OIT department upon request.
We are devising a solution such that reports can be generated online, according
to the desired report format. In the meantime, we hope to install a report generating software in a departmental computer (as a temporary solution) so
that faculty/staff may be able to generate these reports at will.
Are exams timed?
Exams can be configured to be timed, or not.
How many times can a student submit an exam?
Once.
4
How will a student know that his/her exam has been submitted
successfully?
A confirmation screen will be displayed.
5
Have there ever been any problems with submitting exams, or any
data loss?
No.
How many questions are allowed?
As many as you desire.
How many options per question?
As many as you desire.
Can pictures be used in the question or question options?
Pictures and/or text may be used.
What other types of media can be used in the question and/or
options?
The software is designed to be able to use sound files, video, and other internet
media.
How long does it take to get an exam up and running?
Exam items must be submitted from the department to OIT for exam
configuration and design. Note: there are items in the exam that need to be
customized, including the exam questionnaire, exam instructions, and the exam
report format. The completion of these items largely depends on the department
authoring the exam. Thus, the time interval will vary.
Once all items have been submitted to OIT we estimate that exam design,
configuration, and testing will minimally take a month or two. Also, during the
testing phase, we like to allow pilot testing by students themselves.
Who should I contact in order to have my exam placed online?
You should contact the Director of Office of Information Technology for approval.
Thereafter you communicate with the Web Developer.
How long does exam data stay in the exam database?
At the end of each exam period, exam data is moved to the Exam archive
database where it remains indefinitely. This data may be used for analytical
purposes.
6
Preparing an Exam for public use
Departmental Role:
1. Information pages must be drafted for the following:
a. Exam Questionnaire
b. Exam instructions
2. The questions and options (with answers) must be submitted to OIT.
3. Any graphic and/or multi-media files being used must be submitted to OIT
in the proper format.
4. The exam report design must be submitted to OIT.
5. Collaborate with the proper channels to disseminate online exam
information and advertise your exam’s existence.
OIT Role:
1. Web pages must be drafted for the following:
a. Exam Questionnaire
b. Exam instructions
2. Design & install database structure for Exam Questionnaire
3. Program logic must be designed to submit Exam questionnaire
information into
the exam database.
4. The questions and options (with answers) must be entered into the exam
database.
5. Graphic and/or multi-media files must be uploaded to the web server and
linked to the exam via the exam database.
6. An exam report must be created using a report designer.
7
Screen Samples
Login:
8
Questionnaire:
9
Login Status:
10
Exam Instructions:
11
The Exam Itself:
12
Exam Summary Page:
13
Submission Confirmation:
14
REPORT SAMPLE
Questionnaire:
15
Exam Results: