Online testing in schools

The benefits of online testing
When paper tests are working well in a school, a
switch to online testing can sometimes seem
like more upheaval than it’s worth. However,
after consideration of the many benefits, we find
that most schools never look back! Here’s why:
1 Easy setup
Online testing doesn’t involve a complicated and time-consuming
setup. It can be done quickly and easily and doesn’t require a
technical expert – please see pages 6 & 7.
Further reports are available at an additional charge. These can be
requested online and are supplied online too, as soon as your
order is processed. Options include:
• Local Authority / School Cluster report that compares results
between schools and includes all group comparison criteria.
• Individual Pupil Profile showing overall achievement compared
to the national norms, but also detailed process/curriculum
content category information to identify easily those areas that
require attention.
2 Reduced administration
All practice, instructions and timings are computer-administered.
Practice question from Progress in English Digital Level 11
3 Continuity of assessment
GL Assessment’s online tests have been fully equated to the
equivalent paper-based tests, ensuring the same reliability and
allowing you to maintain continuity of assessment.
TheYear-on-Year Achievement Report compares your
pupils’ results with results from previous years, enabling
you to see immediately if they are making progress at
the required rate. Pupils that are making below average
progress or have low value added can be identified
easily for further support and intervention.
4 Immediate results and reports
As soon as a test has been completed, test scores and reports are
available online, significantly reducing teacher workload and
allowing teachers to evaluate pupils’ needs without the delay of
hand marking and scoring.
5 Detailed diagnostic reports
As well as tracking a pupil's progress within or across subjects, our
online testing system, Testwise, also tracks year-on-year
performance and provides comparison of performance against
nationally standardised data.
Standard reports vary slightly depending on which test you are
using. However, as a guideline, you will have immediate access to
the following information:
• Individual and group analysis
• Raw and standardised age scores
• A current National Curriculum level
• Indicative National Test levels
• Question-by-question breakdown
• Results by process or curriculum content category
• Group Demographic Comparison
• Year-on-Year Achievement.
The Group Demographic Comparison Graphs enable
instant analysis of pupil achievement by gender,
ethnicity, free school meals and additional educational
needs. Schools can also add two fields of their choice,
e.g. English as an Additional Language or Postcode.
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