title: Introducing Computer-Based Testing in High-Stakes Exams in Higher Education: Results of a Field Experiment.
abstract: The introduction of computer-based testing in high-stakes examining in higher education is developing rather slowly due to institutional barriers (the need of extra facilities, ensuring test security) and teacher and student acceptance. From the existing literature it is unclear whether computer-based exams will result in similar results as paper-based exams and whether student acceptance can change as a result of administering computer-based exams. In this study, we compared results from a computer-based and paper-based exam in a sample of psychology students and found no differences in total scores across the two modes. Furthermore, we investigated student acceptance and change in acceptance of computer-based examining. After taking the computer-based exam, fifty percent of the students preferred paper-and-pencil exams over computer-based exams and about a quarter preferred a computer-based exam. We conclude that computer-based exam total scores are similar as paper-based exam scores, but that for the acceptance of high-stakes computer-based exams it is important that students practice and get familiar with this new mode of test administration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychometrics and Statistics at the Heymans Institute of the University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anja J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Boevé
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychometrics and Statistics at the Heymans Institute of the University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rob R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychometrics and Statistics at the Heymans Institute of the University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Casper J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Albers
authors.affiliation: Donald Smits Center for Information Technology, Educational Support and Innovation at the University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Yta
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Beetsma
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Science, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Roel J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Bosker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003201:Computers; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011584:Psychology / Q000193:education; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult