English language exams, such as the IELTS or the TOEFL, are a necessary part of the migration or study processes for many people. As technology improves, these tests are increasingly being taken on computers rather than on paper. This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages and explain why computer-based testing is superior to the traditional testing method.
There are several advantages to computer-based testing. First of all, most parts of the exams are marked by the computer itself using complex algorithms or software. This ensures a shorter waiting period between the exam and the availability of results. Second of all, there is no need for handwriting and thus no confusion or difficulty for the examiner with regards to reading the student's writing piece. This favors both the student and the examiner, with the former not losing marks based on legibility and the latter saving valuable time. It is evident that language tests delivered via a computer are extremely advantageous.
Despite the benefits, there are some drawbacks to shifting away from traditional testing. A number of people are entirely dependent on writing by hand when taking an exam, and may not be used to or are completely unfamiliar with typing on a keyboard. This provides an unfair advantage to those who have adapted to using a computer; conversely, this causes the loss of precious time and marks in people unable to practice online. Another downside is that computerized-tests depend entirely on electricity and software. Therefore, any power outage or computer virus could easily disrupt the exam, resulting in frustrated students who may be required to retake the exam. Overall, however, these two drawbacks pale in comparison to the advantages.
This essay discussed the ways in which computer-based tests eclipse the more traditional methods of taking exams. In my opinion, although there are a few drawbacks to moving towards computerized exams, the advantages clearly outweigh them.
Transition Words or Phrases used:
conversely, first, however, if, may, second, so, therefore, thus, such as, first of all, in my opinion
Attributes: Values AverageValues Percentages(Values/AverageValues)% => Comments
Performance on Part of Speech:
To be verbs : 16.0 13.1623246493 122% => OK
Auxiliary verbs: 5.0 7.85571142285 64% => OK
Conjunction : 15.0 10.4138276553 144% => OK
Relative clauses : 6.0 7.30460921844 82% => OK
Pronoun: 15.0 24.0651302605 62% => OK
Preposition: 38.0 41.998997996 90% => OK
Nominalization: 1.0 8.3376753507 12% => More nominalizations (nouns with a suffix like: tion ment ence ance) wanted.
Performance on vocabulary words:
No of characters: 1685.0 1615.20841683 104% => OK
No of words: 315.0 315.596192385 100% => OK
Chars per words: 5.34920634921 5.12529762239 104% => OK
Fourth root words length: 4.21286593061 4.20363070211 100% => OK
Word Length SD: 2.95764337285 2.80592935109 105% => OK
Unique words: 188.0 176.041082164 107% => OK
Unique words percentage: 0.596825396825 0.561755894193 106% => OK
syllable_count: 544.5 506.74238477 107% => OK
avg_syllables_per_word: 1.7 1.60771543086 106% => OK
A sentence (or a clause, phrase) starts by:
Pronoun: 9.0 5.43587174349 166% => OK
Article: 2.0 2.52805611222 79% => OK
Subordination: 2.0 2.10420841683 95% => OK
Conjunction: 1.0 0.809619238477 124% => OK
Preposition: 3.0 4.76152304609 63% => OK
Performance on sentences:
How many sentences: 17.0 16.0721442886 106% => OK
Sentence length: 18.0 20.2975951904 89% => OK
Sentence length SD: 32.873144033 49.4020404114 67% => OK
Chars per sentence: 99.1176470588 106.682146367 93% => OK
Words per sentence: 18.5294117647 20.7667163134 89% => OK
Discourse Markers: 6.0 7.06120827912 85% => OK
Paragraphs: 4.0 4.38176352705 91% => OK
Language errors: 0.0 5.01903807615 0% => OK
Sentences with positive sentiment : 10.0 8.67935871743 115% => OK
Sentences with negative sentiment : 3.0 3.9879759519 75% => OK
Sentences with neutral sentiment: 4.0 3.4128256513 117% => OK
What are sentences with positive/Negative/neutral sentiment?
Coherence and Cohesion:
Essay topic to essay body coherence: 0.210230861225 0.244688304435 86% => OK
Sentence topic coherence: 0.0677627728427 0.084324248473 80% => OK
Sentence topic coherence SD: 0.0505558253907 0.0667982634062 76% => OK
Paragraph topic coherence: 0.133792388648 0.151304729494 88% => OK
Paragraph topic coherence SD: 0.0544803638916 0.056905535591 96% => OK
Essay readability:
automated_readability_index: 13.0 13.0946893788 99% => OK
flesch_reading_ease: 44.75 50.2224549098 89% => OK
smog_index: 8.8 7.44779559118 118% => OK
flesch_kincaid_grade: 11.5 11.3001002004 102% => OK
coleman_liau_index: 13.75 12.4159519038 111% => OK
dale_chall_readability_score: 9.54 8.58950901804 111% => OK
difficult_words: 100.0 78.4519038076 127% => OK
linsear_write_formula: 9.0 9.78957915832 92% => OK
gunning_fog: 9.2 10.1190380762 91% => OK
text_standard: 9.0 10.7795591182 83% => OK
What are above readability scores?
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Rates: 84.2696629213 out of 100
Scores by essay e-grader: 7.5 Out of 9
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Note: the e-grader does NOT examine the meaning of words and ideas. VIP users will receive further evaluations by advanced module of e-grader and human graders.