Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, Vol 33, Issue 3, 455-464
DOI: 10.3138/jvme.33.3.455
Copyright © 2006 by Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION REPORTS |
A Comparison of Linear, Fixed-Form Computer-Based Testing versus Traditional Paper-and-Pencil-Format Testing in Veterinary Medical Education
Lillian C. Folk•
J. Zachary March•
Robin D. Hurst
Correspondence: FolkL{at}missouri.edu
Correspondence: marchz{at}missouri.edu
Correspondence: Address correspondence to Lillian C. Folk, W-234 Vet. Med. Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA. E-mail: FolkL{at}missouri.edu.
Computerized testing has made significant inroads into veterinary education. Traditional paper-and-pencil examination formats are being replaced by computer-based testing (CBT). Computer-administered, fixed-form tests, because they mimic most closely the familiar fixed-response paper-and-pencil test formats, might intuitively seem to be inherently equivalent to their paper-and-pencil counterparts. However, research examining test-mode effects on student performance presents a very mixed picture. Additionally, students often report that they feel their performance is adversely affected by CBT and that their grades on the computer-based exams are lower than they would have been on the more familiar paper-and-pencil format. In order to address student perceptions of negative impact and the mixed nature of the published research results on the topic, a study was conducted to assess whether the transition from paper-and-pencil to equivalent linear CBT exams did, in fact, affect students’ examination scores. This study found no evidence for significant test-mode effects on student scores as a result of the introduction of computer-based testing into the veterinary curriculum.
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