The Test Department offers a machine-scoring service for:
Users of the machine-scoring service are provided with reports that summarise the performance of each pupil in a class or group.
Schools wishing to avail of the machine-scoring service should note the following:
- Pupils should record their answers on special machine-scorable answer sheets. These should be ordered from the Test Department before the test is administered. As the format of answer sheets, and the programmes used for scoring them, change from time to time, test administrators should ensure that the answer sheets they use are current. Hand-scorable answer sheets cannot be scored by machine.
- The padded envelope in which answer sheets are sent to schools should be used to return completed machine-scorable answer sheets.
- Answers must be marked on the answer sheets using pencil only.
- Teachers should check answer sheets before sending them to the Educational Research Centre to ensure that
(a) the pupil identification information has been entered correctly;
(b) there are no stray marks on the answer sheet;
(c) there is one response only for each completed item;
(d) unwanted answers have been completely erased (‘x’ marks are unacceptable); and
(e) the slots are completely filled.
Answer sheets on which identification information is incomplete, or which contain stray marks, or have the slots filled incorrectly, cannot be scored electronically, and will be returned to schools without scoring.
The relevant Processing Information Form should accompany each batch of answer sheets returned for machine-scoring. A separate processing form should be completed for each class for which a report is required.
Ten working days should be allowed for scoring of answer sheets and reporting of results.
Scores are available on floppy disk or CD-Rom as an optional extra for all tests that are machine-scored.
