Key concepts of digital testing and assessment

Adaptive test

An adaptive test (Computerized Adaptive Test, or CAT) is a test in which the questions are tailored to the student's knowledge level. After a correct answer, the student receives a more challenging question, while an incorrect answer leads to an easier one. Another option is adjustment at the test level, where the student receives a more difficult or easier follow-up test based on their previous score.

Playback environment

The playback environment (player) enables the student to take a digital test. The playback environment checks the student's identity, offers the test, records the answers and sends them back to the item bank.

Authoring environment

The authoring environment is an interface in which teachers can develop a digital test (questions and answers). The authoring environment offers a choice of question types, allows multimedia to be added, (usually) supports the work process and records the review process. The questions are provided with metadata and the desired interaction.

Digital testing

Digital testing is about the use of ICT in the process of testing or assessment. ICT can not only be used for testing (via a computer, mobile or other device) but in almost all phases of the testing cycle.

Digital test cycle

The test cycle comprises the (cyclical) process of designing, administering, checking, analysing and evaluating tests. Various digital (components of) systems play a role in the digital test cycle. The most important are the authoring environment, the item database, the playback environment and the analysis tool.

Digital testing system

A digital testing system is the software that supports the digital testing process. This system usually consists of one or more of the following components: authoring environment, playback environment, (test) analysis tool and item bank.

Formative feedback

Formative feedback gives students insight into their strengths and weaknesses and helps them improve their own learning process. Digital testing provides opportunities to standardize formative feedback and to provide rich feedback (e.g. links to relevant background information).

Item bank

An item bank is a digital collection of questions that can be used for a test. The test questions can be provided with characteristics, such as metadata, tags, keywords and labels. The results of tests and (psychometric) analyses are also stored in the item bank.

Lockdown browser

A lockdown browser (secure browser) restricts access to the internet, other applications or peripherals. This prevents a student from looking up information during a test. The teacher can set the restrictions. This makes it possible, for example, to refer to a web page without further access to the internet.

Online proctoring

Online proctoring is a form of online security in digital test administration. It enables programs to allow students to take a test independently of location. Remote monitoring using monitoring software, webcam and/or smartphone images and/or screen viewing should prevent student fraud.

Peer assessment

In peer assessment (also called peer review or peer feedback), students (peers) assess each other's products and provide each other with feedback. Some digital assessment systems allow you to set up peer assessment.

Secure client

Software that restricts access to the internet, other applications or peripherals. This software can be installed on the computer on which tests are taken. This software prevents a student from looking up information during a test.

Test analysis tool

A test analysis tool performs statistical (psychometric) analyses on the test results and helps to interpret the results. Test analysis allows you to detect test questions that are too easy, too difficult or unclear. A good deal of testing software includes such a component.

Test client

A test client can refer to both a workstation and the software used to take the test. A dedicated test client is a workstation used exclusively for test-taking.

Metadata

Metadata is data about (for example) the use of an item. In a digital test, the teacher can provide metadata, for example, about the type of question or the subject being tested. But the system itself can also add metadata, for example about how often a question has been used or about the results.