What is exam software?

Exam software is a platform to create online tests, share assignments, calculate scores and generate progress reports. In essence, it is similar to assessment software. You can use exam software to conduct candidate assessments online . The tool is widely used in schools, colleges, universities, and independent coaching institutes.

The benefits of exam software

The conventional way of conducting exams was through pen and paper, which was time consuming and has multiple security flaws. On the other hand, using a dedicated exam solution offers many benefits such as the ones listed below:

• Saves time and paper: Setting tests is a tough job, requiring numerous iterations and evaluations before it’s finalized and approved by every examiner. Exam software offers a collaborative platform to design test papers, which prevents printing every iteration of the documents. Also, online tests can be quickly shared with peers and validators via email.
• Calculates scores in an instant: One of the best things about exam software is the ability to calculate scores in real time as a candidate provides their answers. This means invigilators don’t have to manually calculate scores. Even students could access their results soon after completing the tests.
• Secures tests and grades: Exam software is more secure than pen and paper. Role-based permissions and authentication features allow only a few users to access the test papers before the test. This prevents any leaks or cheating. Even grades are securely stored, with students being able to see only their grades.

Typical features of exam software

• Assessments: Create online tests to assess student knowledge and capabilities in the respective domains.
• Online tests: Create and share tests through online channels.
• Question bank: Collect, arrange, and administer a large pool of questions about a particular subject matter, with varying levels of difficulty, to create test papers.
• Reporting/Analytics: Report on the key indicators about the exams and run analytics on the collected data to generate relevant insights for your institution.
• Quizzes: Organize and add different types of quizzes to the test paper.
• User management (or candidate management): Manage candidates and their details such as personal information, subjects, grades, and exam schedules.

Considerations when purchasing exam software

• Scalability of the software: Educational institutions are always wary about the number of candidates who appear for tests. It could vary from a few hundred to thousands. For this reason, we advise you to opt for solutions and packages that allow increasing the number of users/tests so that no candidate has to sit out.
• Software compatibility and stability: Exam software lets you send online test papers to a large number of candidates, all of whom need to log-in at the same time. This requires a large number of network connection requests at the same time. Therefore, you need a reliable vendor who is capable of handling heavy network traffic. Also, the software should be able to support multiple hardware configurations as the tests will be run on many different types of operating systems.

Relevant exam software trends

• AI to eliminate the need for physical proctors: Organizing a centralized test isn’t cheap due to the high costs of sending proctors, invigilators, and test equipment to various locations. But artificial intelligence (AI) can prevent this. Educational facilities are embracing auto proctor tests with AI capabilities to conduct tests in a secure, cheat-proof environment. Newer solutions are offering AI that uses face recognition and digital IDs to ensure that students don’t use any unfair means.
• Advanced analytics can help you design test papers: Exam software includes advanced analytics to design question papers. It uses data collected from various data points such as the time spent on various questions, speed of completing the paper, performance, and trends in previous exams. Assessment21, an AI-backed assessment software developed at the University of Manchester, reduces the expenses of setting, administering, and marking traditional paper exams.