IMPORTANCE OF USER INTERFACE IN COMPUTER BASED

TESTS (CBT)

STUDENT NAME: Lavanya V.S

STUDENT NUMBER: 1510110326
COURSE NAME : ECE B.TECH
DEPARTMENT: Department of Design
SUPERVISOR: Vikas Kumar

Introduction
Computer Based exams have become very popular in today’s world and everyday millions of people take
different kind of tests to get into various colleges , Aptitude exams for jobs in diverse areas. For example
CAT , IIT-JEE , GRE , TOFL and various other examinations for different applications. Most of these exams
have switched from paper based exam to computer based exam due factors such as :
 Computer-based testing will enable faster scoring of the multiple-choice section.
 Difficulties in having to send paper copies of each test to testing locations around the globe and
ensuring that they were not tampered with prior to the administration of the exam.
 It offers a lot more flexibility in terms of designing the test as well as scoring can be provided
immediately after the examination as well in some of the tests.
As one of the points mentioned here computer based exam provides with the flexibility of designing the user
interface for the exam which includes the colour ratio , alignment of the options vertical or horizontal , the
balance of the colour palate used , scrolling or navigating options , options to review questions.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Overview  : As I have  mentioned  in the introduction  in CBT  based tests it

allows   a   lot   of   flexibility   to   design   the   computer   based   exam.   My

primary interest which I would like to investigate would be :

 How does the design parameter have significant impact on the cognitive load of the test
taker.
 How does it affect the color blind people ( 4.5% of the world population)
  Research   has   been   done   and   it   has   been   shown   design   parameters   does   affect   the
cognitive ability of the test taker , but I would like to work on what aspect does it the
effect the test taker ?
 Is it possible to quantify the same ?
 The cultural, level of computer knowledge , computer anxiety , and an attempt to come
up with a broad template to design the same.

Research Question/Hypothesis
Can   we  quantify  the  effect   of   design  parameters   on  the  cognitive  processes   in  test   taking
environment, considering the environment is already competitive and adds pressure to the
candidate taking the same.
Can we attempt to have a more user friendly approach with which the majority of the users
could feel at ease with?

OBJECTIVES AND AIMS

My objectives from this research would be:

 Find   the   balance   of   symmetry   and   asymmetry   which   is   the   perfect   balance  for   the
majority of people
 The color combinations which people feel more conducive to as well as on what are the
factors which trigger a reaction to a specific color i.e. cultural, financial background,
level exposure to computers.
 How significant is the impact of design on the test taking environment i.e. attempting
to answer questions like how many seconds/minutes do they spend getting used to the
test environment.
 Manifestations of the output in various diverse applications which would be in text
books, work environment, smart classrooms and so on.
 Applications for the same of people with visual disabilities.