Whether you’ve just starting to look, or have been looking for a while, you’ve probably discovered that choosing a testing software product can be a confusing and time-consuming process. This is especially true for large organizations where there are lots of variables to consider and implementing anything involves a team: IT, HR and management.
You may refer to it as a test generator, test maker, quiz maker, exam builder -- call it what you will -- it's an application that enables you to create, deliver and administer tests to your testing audience.
You want the software to store test data and enable you to analyze the results in some meaningful way. You may also want to print and/or export the data.
Depending on your frame of reference what we refer to as a “test” may be known to you as an assessment, paper, exam or quiz. Whatever you choose to call it, it’s a method used to measure competencies, achievement or proficiency.
In addition to the traditional view of students taking paper-and-pencil tests in a classroom, there’s the even broader category of test takers in non-academic settings.
Your testing audience may be fortunate enough to have access to the company intranet or the internet. They may have a computer on their work desktop and another at home, or they may be working “off network” with poor, or no, connectivity to the internet.
In your world you may be serving a testing audience that is willing to register and pay for the testing you provide and you need someone who you can consult with to get it up and running.
Committee: You represent a group tasked by management with the responsibility of finding a testing solution that satisfies the group’s testing requirements.
Researcher: You’re an administrative assistant or intern who has been tasked with going out and gathering information and presenting your findings to upper management.
Any test authoring application worth looking at has probably involved a lot of time and effort in its development and support.
Our advice: look for product that will continue to evolve as your testing needs grow, and one that is backed by great support.
If you're working on a limited budget, you might take a look at some of the open-source testing solutions out there. Implementing these types of solutions may require technical resources to support it.
When choosing a vendor, look for someone who is going to be responsive and genuinely interested in helping you succeed. You want someone who will help guide you through the implementation process. If you’re the “evangelist” who’s herding cats toward a more efficient method of testing, make sure the vendor has your back.
Here are some related links that you might find helpful.
Benefits of an Online Test Generator
How to Choose the Right Software Vendor
Ten Steps for Evaluating and Selecting Software and Service Providers