Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Background/objectives: The process over developing test or question paper for examinations at various levels in higher education is time consuming and requires a lot of work for staff who deal with courses. The objective of the study is to develop a web-based application to help in preparing question papers for examinations.

Methods/statistical analysis: This article presents a web-based application that has been developed to help prepare question papers for examinations. Feedback and suggestions from staff at King Khalid University have been used to develop and design the system accordingly. This system will provide a very good tool for fast and accurate development of exam papers.

Findings/application: This system allows the administrator to automatically create a repository of question papers for all courses in academic programs at an institute of higher education. Using this system, staff can access previous question papers at any time they need. Moreover, the system is simple to access and can be customized according to staff requirements. The system also accommodates different pattern of questions to be asked, such as true or false questions, multiple choice questions, fill-in-the-gaps questions, and subjective or descriptive questions. Teachers on each semester prepare some set of questions and upload in the question bank database. These questions are developed in the consultation of course teachers, course coordinator, and knowledge area head. Moreover, while framing the questions precisely, the course learning objectives and course learning domain are considered, such as cognitive skills, interpersonal skills, and communication skills. Importantly, the course coordinator takes all necessary measures to make question papers with utmost care, and assures that each question paper covers different level of difficulty. The question paper includes knowledge level, cognitive level, and in some scenarios real-time problem-based question.

Keywords: Web-Based, Exam, Course Objectives, Question Paper, Educational Institutions.