INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

It is widely believed that all tests will one day be delivered on a
computer of some sort (Bennett, 1998, 2002). However, it is
difficult to accurately predict when this day will come. It has
seemingly been just around the corner since the early 1990s, when
a handful of early adopters, including the ASVAB (Sands, Waters, &
McBride, 1997) and the GRE® (Mills, 1999), signed on to
computerbased testing (CBT). Today, dozens of admissions,
placement, certification, and licensure testing programs are
administered on computer, with the number growing each year. On
the K–12 front, several states already conduct their annual
accountability testing on computer, and many others are poised to
join in. Hundreds of schools or districts also employ CBTs in a
formative or diagnostic role in service of instruction.

Computer-based testing (CBT) is an efficient way for test sponsors

to provide a secure, consistent environment forcertification and
licensure while significantly enhancing the candidate experience. It
is common for testing volumes to increase after a full conversion
from paper-based testing (PBT) to CBT, often as a result of the
availability of a greater number of testing locations and more
flexible scheduling and testing opportunities. Migration from PBT to
CBT does affect candidate behavior, however, and it is possible for
some testing programs to experience brief reductions in demand
triggered by candidate apprehension regarding CBT. This sometimes
results in either a last-minute increase in testing during final PBT
administrations or candidate procrastination to the last available
computerized testing date. Therefore, the question facing licensing
organizations is how to keep test volumes up and candidate
uncertainty down when migrating from a paper-based to a
computer-based test?
 The key to mitigating test volume risk and ultimately driving an
increase in demand is ongoing marketing, candidate education and
outreach. In terms of promoting the new computerized testing
program, marketing and effective communication can have an
important impact on stakeholder acceptance of CBT and comfort
with its use.

In order to allay candidate fears and minimize questions, it is

prudent to launch a communications campaign early in the
conversion process that directly addresses constituent concerns and
promotes sustainable program interest. 

Statement of the Problem

The challenges faced with Pencil-Paper Test (PPT) or Paper based

test is overwhelming, they include but not limited to exam
malpractice, inaccuracy in marking, delay in marking results. These
challenges do not help in the growth of the education sector of
Nigeria.

Computer Based Test are economical, accurate and time bound.

Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Institutions can adopt this system
to solve challenges noted above. Examination bodies such as the
Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) are already
adopting a system that carters for her examinations across 500 CBT
centres nationwide. This has aided the examination to curb
challenges faced with the PPT system of examination.

Objectives of the study

The main objective of the research project is to design and
implement an online computer based test system. Specific
objectives of the research paper are:

1. To develop a CBT system that automatically generates exam

numbers for students.
2. To develop a CBT system with enhanced security features to
avoid exam malpractice.
3. To design a CBT system with real time processing of results for
candidates.

             
1.6   Significance of the study
This study is intended to assist in some small way those
practitioners who are struggling with the decision of whether to test
on computer and how they might best go about doing so. It is not
intended to provide an introduction to the important methods and to
the considerations that dictate use of those methods. It is far from
comprehensive in this regard. To make truly informed decisions,
one would need to be at least conversant if not quite familiar with
most of the references listed here. In short, this is not a roadmap
intended to precisely direct practitioners on their journey to
computerized delivery, but rather more a guidebook highlighting
some of the landmarks they will likely visit along the way. As with
all trips, we need to start by deciding whether the attractions of the
destination outweigh the rigors of travel.
1.7   Scope/Limitations of the study
This study covered the design and implementation of an online
computer based test system, using SpringLight Technology as the
case study.
Limitations of study
1. Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the
efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials,
literature or information and in the process of data collection
through the internet, questionnaire and interview.
Time constraint- The researcher simultaneously engaged in this study
with other academic work. This consequently cut down on the time
devoted for the research work.
1.8   Background of SpringLight Technology
SpringLight Technology is an Information Technology Company that
is registered with the corporate affairs commission as a corporate
body in 2015, under the Companies and Allied Matters Decree No 1,
1990 in Abuja Nigeria. Prior to this period, the firm operated as an
online platform that provides solutions for businesses and has
grown into a company with a physical presence in our current
location.
SpringLight Info Tech since then has rapidly grown to an
organization with other units like the ICT Academy, ICT Unit that
does software development, web development Data analysis,
graphics designs, search engine optimization, consulting, content
development and a research Unit.
1.8   Definition of terms
Computer Based Test (CBT):   Is the use of information technology for
any assessment-related activity.
Design: Is the creation of a plan or convention for the construction of
an object or a system.
Implement: To put (a decision, plan, agreement, etc.) into effect.
 

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