Automation of Multiple-choice Examination Marking

On the Evaluation of Examination Results by Computer

“…They can be assessed in terms of their power to discriminate good from poor candidates (as measured by the QEX) or by their level of difficulty (as measured by the mean mark). Assessment on the basis of the level of difficulty alone (Harris and Buckley‐Sharp, 1968) would regard question 99 (Table 2) as a poor question since it has a mean mark of 0.78, suggesting that the question is too easy. On the other hand, a relatively high QEX (0.45) indicates that those who answered it correctly were the more able students.…”

A Multiple-choice Examination in Physiology

“…There is no doubt that the construction of an MCQ is extremely time consuming, as is the marking and analysis of the results ‐ at least until data processing can be adequately computerized. The development of mark‐sensing techniques (Harris and Buckley‐Sharp, 1968) may in due course be expected to remove a tedious step in the procedure. We are particularly interested however in the possibility of arranging co‐operation between departments whereby some sort of communal bank of questions could be built up, the contents of the bank being progressively revised and augmented.…”

The Evaluation of a Programmed Learning Course

“…All examinations were marked and analysed using procedures developed in the Department of Biology, Middlesex Hospital Medical School (Harris and Buckley‐Sharp, 1968). Three parameters were obtained for each student for each examination.…”