Using the Internet for Vocational Assessment: Results of a Pilot Project in Ohio

Occupation-specific assessment over the Internet was evaluated in a pilot project that addressed four objectives. One hundred nineteen students in seven classes/schools took an administrative office technology assessment given on demand over the Internet. Sixty-one students had taken the same assessment in paper form six to eight weeks earlier. The scores for Internet administration of that subgroup were significantly higher (4.85) but exhibited similar variability and internal consistency reliability. Responses to a background and reaction survey indicated few problems with testing (accessing, downloading, taking, and submitting the test, plus understanding feedback). A majority of students responded positively to global evaluations (75% reported a positive experience; 62% preferred or greatly preferred Internet format over the traditional). Results suggest that the advantages of testing via the Internet outweigh the disadvantages. Strategies and tactics for moving vocational assessment to the Internet are discussed.