There have been more tested delivered by computer since the 90s' like the Computer-based Test (CBT) TOFEL. One of the major drawback of CBT is that candidates have to be given chance to get familiar with the use of computer in the test setting and it will not be fair if candidates are not computer-literate ready for it.
Nevertheless, there are many advantages of CBT. Locations and time are not restricted provided candidates take CBT in designated centre with computers. Item setting, revision can be facilitated even done online when item setters and reviewers are not in the same place. Computer adaptive testing can be used to find out students' proficiency level in a way that computer can respond simultaneously to students' response and give appropriate level of items. Online DIALANG tool can even assess users' lanugage standard and allow them to opt for delayed feedback in a dozen of European languages.
It seems the use of CBT in Hong Kong lags behind counterparts in foreign countries and many stakeholders are quite skeptical about it. However, the prevailing trend of adopting CBT is on the wagon even in Hong Kong. Part of TSA marking has been done on screen.
Despite of the development of CBT, for high stake placement and public exams, to pay safe and ensure security, traditional paper and pencil format tests are more preferrable at this moment.
But for diagnotic purpose and self-learning, CBT platform with abundant item bank and instant feedback can help students brush up their language even outside classroom and enhance their motivation and learning autonomy. I hope more platform of this kind can be developed for students in Hong Kong.
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I do have a concern on using CBT, that is students could choose anywhere to test. What if they cheat in the exam? Will we know?
Right. If you run an 'anytime, anywhere' test it is impossible to say that the right person sat the test, or that they did it unassisted. I doubt very much that this model is adopted with high-stakes tests. The advantages would be less to do with flexibility, more to do with efficiency of admin and marking, I guess.
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