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“Computer Adaptive Test; An Efficient students’ Abilities Measurement
tool”. ‘University
News’, Journal of Higher Education, February 25-March 03 2013 Vol.51, No.8, New Delhi.ISSN-0566-2257.
Computer Adaptive Test - An efficient measurement tool
of students’ abilities through innovative test delivery model
Daphine Daniel, Lecturer, American College, Madurai
&
Dr.P. Sivakumar, Professor of Education, DDE, Alagappa
University, Karaikudi-630 003
ABSTRACT
Assessment can be the basic for improvement in learning and has become a
hot topic among educators across the country. Our examinations do not really
reflect the true learning and it is not the benchmark for judging the quality.
Several initiatives have contributed to the increased need for quality
assessment, which gives information regarding strengths and weaknesses, skills
& abilities to plan activities accordingly. The success in the great
enterprise of national reconstruction, whose principal objective is to raise
the standard of living of our people, depends on the quality of persons coming
out. Any evidence that reveals progress towards the goals of education should
be used in evaluation. This evidence need not be restricted to the paper and
pencil devices. For the improvement in the quality of education, the evaluation
system has to be improved, by which a thorough mastery of subject matter can be
achieved. One such system of evaluation can be achieved by technology in
education i.e. computer based testing. Utilization of technology in evaluation
is relatively meager as compared to other domains.
Assessment systems must be carefully designed to ensure that they provide
information that fulfills the purpose for assessment and to increase the
likelihood of improving the quality. Traditional test fails to assess the
innate potential of the learners. Even technology has limits; it does not have
the advantage of increased understanding of specific human abilities. Efforts
are made to modernize the traditional test. There has been a significant
movement towards measuring specific abilities as alternatives to traditional
tests. This new breed of tests includes the computer based testing. This paper
discusses a system of technology based evaluation with special reference to
Computer Adaptive Test (CAT), and its objectives, development, advantages and
limitations. The CAT is very much useful for ability estimation and
identification of innate potential, which are
needed for quality enhancement.
