Computer-based exams in undergraduate engineering courses

Abstract

Computer‐based exams (CBEs) have been used in several engineering courses at the Ben‐Gurion University of the Negev over the past 3 years. In such exams, all the questions are solved through individual interactive work with a personal computer. Immediate feedback on errors is provided and the grading is done mostly by the computer. The time frame of the exam can be set so that most students are able to redo the whole exam or selected questions using different sets of data to achieve mastery level. Alternatively, time can be limited to encourage students to come well prepared to the exam and to enable differentiation between stronger and weaker students. Several types of CBE were tried, and the one we found the most successful is presented in detail. We found that to ensure mastery of the material and obtain fair and representative grade distribution, five to six mastery oriented quizzes and an evaluative final exam should be given during a semester. Since the grading is done mainly by the computer, the effort required from the instructor is usually less using CBE than when using traditional exams. In the courses where CBE was used, a definite improvement in the problem‐solving skills of all the students was observed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 6: 201–209, 1998

An introductory course of modeling and computation for chemical engineers

“…The course was given to a class of 60 students in the spring semester of 2003. The final exam of the course included the use of the ''secant'' method for solution of the adiabatic flame temperature problem (Shacham,[10]) with MATLAB programming. The students had an hour and a half to complete this assignment and 75% of them (40 students) managed to get a working program that yielded the correct solution.…”

The choice is yours: The effects of optional questions in engineering examinations

“…After a specific period, the learner is supposed to answer questions of the studied subject in an examination process . The examination process may comprise either just one test at the end of the term or a series of tests conducted throughout the learning period . The answers written by the learners are then evaluated for correctness and marks/grades are awarded to the learner.…”

What are the Aspects of Adopting Computer-Based Exams and do they Impact Negatively on Students?

“…Due to of these similar problems the concentrating of the student could really be shifted from answering questions to technical problems. Shacham [1] stated that the computer problems which are related to hardware and software could affect on the performance of student, which is possibly making the student return the exam from beginning. These two major areas of problem might be negatively affecting the level of student performance [7,12].…”

“…However, the electronic test system focuses on the time factor and quick access to records. The computer test system is provided on electronic records that are different from paper records [1,10]. In addition, these kinds of questions could include multiple choices for the student, such as inputting maths expressions and numerical answers.…”

“…As a result, the students could understand each question individually. Computer Based Exams (CBEs) have been used in various courses [1,2]. In such tests, all the questions are answered via individual interactive work with a personal computer.…”