Bye-bye pen & paper, hello online tests

Thane school introduces web-based exams, happy with results

The pen and paper format in class tests may soon be passé. Providing a glimpse into the future to its students, a school in Thane discarded temporarily the old way of writing papers and conducted unit tests for the standard XII science papers online. The move seems apt at a time when competitive examinations for professional courses like the Common Admission Test (CAT) are shifting to the online mode. Smt Sulochanadevi Singhania School wanted its students to have a feel of the system. Though the number of questions was the same, their order was re-jigged to stop students from peeping into each other's computers. The software for the test, developed in-house, was programmed to deliver the scores immediately. "The software pointed out their mistakes to the students and provided the correct answer with an explanation. The papers carried multiple-choice questions, which is the format of the papers set in entrance exams," said Revathi Srinivasan, the principal of the school. The school plans to extend online tests to other senior classes as well. "We have initially started it only for science subjects; we are going to develop the software in phases to accommodate language papers as well. We also plan to introduce subjective questions in the later stages," added Srinivasan. The test was for just 10 marks and it was time-bound. Students were tested on problem-solving skills and critical analysis, among other abilities. Currently, negative marking is not part of the testing format. However, it will soon be made compulsory to give students the feel of a real entrance test. "We wanted our question papers to be more concept-driven. It was aimed at enhancing thinking skills in students. Also, the questions tested the students' understanding of the subject,'' said Srinivasan. Students found the tests interesting, said a school source. "It was like a speed test for them and they were looking forward to it. Even the teachers found it very challenging to frame the questions and the four choices," he added.