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Benefits and Challenges of Timed Tests

Benefits and Challenges of Timed Tests

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Benefits and Challenges of Timed Tests

Overview

1. Setting Time Limits2. Uses for Timed Tests3. Speed vs. Power Testing4. Concerns about Fairness

Source: Test Generator – Benefits and Challenges of Timed Tests

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Benefits and Challenges of Timed Tests

Setting Time Limits•When an administrator makes an exam, one of their first tasks is to consider the scope of the assessment.

•When determining what the test will measure, the administrator must also decide how long test takers should be given to answer each question and complete the exam.

• For most tests, time limits are imposed for practicality and efficiency reasons.•There are test takers who suffer when time limits are imposed on assessments – bringing into question the assumed benefits of time limits and how this approach may influence test results.

Source: Test Generator – Benefits and Challenges of Timed Tests

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Benefits and Challenges of Timed Tests

•Time constraints, which can be imposed using test generator programs, keep tests from exceeding impractical lengths of time.

•Test markers must keep in mind that a timed test gauges not only the knowledge of the test taker, but also their ability to organize their time and prioritize tasks.

•Depending on the type of assessment, time may be a factor in calculating the test taker’s skill level.

Source: Test Generator – Benefits and Challenges of Timed Tests

Uses For Timed Tests

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Benefits and Challenges of Timed Tests

Speed vs. Power Testing•When an administrator decides to create a test, the choice to impose a time limit depends on which strengths he or she wishes to assess, as different tests measure different strengths.

Speed Tests•Designed to measure a test taker’s speed of performance and, they often contain very simple questions.

Power Test•Designed to measure the test taker’s knowledge, regardless of speed.

Source: Test Generator – Benefits and Challenges of Timed Tests

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Benefits and Challenges of Timed Tests

•Test generator programs are capable of creating tests that measure both speed and power.

• The popularity of this mixed test type means that in situations where speed has no effect on the score of the test (aka there is no “reward” for finishing first), test takers who work at a slower pace but with more knowledgeable answers are actually disadvantaged.

Source: Test Generator – Benefits and Challenges of Timed Tests

Speed vs. Power Testing

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Benefits and Challenges of Timed Tests

Concerns about Fairness

•Test takers who work quickly suffer no disadvantage to a timed test, however, those who work at a slower pace are inevitably disadvantaged.

•Research has also shown that test takers who have certain disabilities, such as dyslexia, as a whole perform poorer on timed tests than test takers with no disabilities.

Source: Test Generator – Benefits and Challenges of Timed Tests

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Benefits and Challenges of Timed Tests

Are fixed times truly relevant to a standard test?

•In most cases, a test taker is being measured on the correctness of their answers, not how fast they can answer questions.

–However, if a test has no time limit, test takers could easily divert away from the test to find answers to cheat.

•Administrators using exam creation software to create online tests are offered the ability to impose custom time limits on these tests.

–While this can create anxiety for the test taker, it is the most practical method of ensuring that a test is taken fairly , so that the administrator can more accurately judge the test taker’s level of knowledge.

Source: Test Generator – Benefits and Challenges of Timed Tests

Concerns about Fairness

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Benefits and Challenges of Timed Tests

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