Effects of computer-based educational achievement test on test performance and test takers' motivation

There has been an increasing interest in recent years in developing and using computer-based tests in educational assessment. To replace pap er-based tests with computer-based ones, the standa rds for developing computerized-assessme nt (International Test Commission., 2004 ) requires equivalent test scores to be established for the new computer-based test and the conventional paper-based test. However, in most test mode comparability studies, the actual test items used have been identical, and yet significant differences have been found in test scores in paper-based and computer-based modes. This has been reported for several subjects, including science, languages and mathematics. The validity of using computer-based tests in educational assessment must therefore be questioned. This study involves a biology test and a biology motivation questionna ire using a Solomon four-group experimental design to examine the validity of the computer-based test and its effects on test performance and the motivation of test-takers. The findings provide suppor tive evidenc e for the validity of computer-based test in educational assessment. 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.