Conducting a subjective exam requires a framework design that ensures covering the entire topic for assessing the knowledge of the candidates.
Expression of ideas
The subjective tests enable the candidates to express their own creative and original ideas about the subject. They feel free to convey the message they want to. This tells the examiner about the thinking and grasping skills of the candidate.
Clarity of concept
By conducting a subjective exam, the examiner can see how well the candidate has gained the concept. The candidate, on the other hand, is able to explain the knowledge attained and write it in own words.
Writing and language skills
The examiner definitely wants to check the language skills of the candidate. A subjective test is a way out for testing writing skills. It is of great use especially in case of language proficiency tests.
Solving cognitive problems
Conducting numeric, mechanical, and verbal reasoning tests is practically possible with the help of a subjective exam. This helps to test the conceptual clarity of the candidate.
Critical thinking
There are few tests that require critical thinking skills. For example: writing a story based on a given situation or opinion based questions.
Practical application
Most of the subjective tests conducted by companies and organizations have a practical application too. The candidates applying for a job need to appear for the exam. And this is what helps them stand out and prove their capabilities.
How to conduct a subjective exam that ensures integrity
Subjective exam is a preliminary and basic method to evaluate a student’s intelligence, problem-solving ability and technical knowledge.
Subjective exam can be conducted in two ways:
- Online at examination center
- Home based online exam
To understand more about how to conduct a computer based exam, follow the step by step process mentioned in our blog: Computer based exam- How to conduct one
How to assess a subjective exam?
Assessment of subjective exams is a crucial step. Preparing a question bank for a subjective test is easier than a subjective test. But assessing the subjective test is tricky and takes time and concentration.
In case of Online Subjective Exams, a separate portal is provided wherein the examiners can check the answers written by the candidates by logging in with their credentials. After that they assign marks by carefully going through the responses.
The Evaluation workflow should be built into the Online Examination engine and should have the following functionalities –
- Assign evaluator to exam: System should have the capability to assign multiple evaluators for one exam and assign one evaluator to multiple exams
- Evaluator dashboard: A summary view of evaluation status which may contain total allocations, in progress and completed evaluation.
- Evaluation screen:
- Display question: The complete question should be displayed to the evaluator.
- Display Candidate Answer: The answer written by the candidate should be displayed. If the question required answer to be uploaded as a pdf file, the corresponding pdf file should open in the answer window. There should be a feature to download the answer file as well.
- Allocate marks: Evaluator should have the facility to award marks and modify the marks until the evaluation is submitted. Once submitted, marks awarded can not be modified until it is called for re-evaluation
- Insert comments: The evaluator should be able to insert comments or give their views on the answers for each question along with justification for the marks awarded
- Process result: Once evaluation is complete; system should have the capability to provide various reports such as question wise marks for each candidate, consolidated marks for the paper consisting of Objective and Subjective, both kinds of questions etc.