COMPUTER-BASED TESTING AND QUALITY ASSURANCE IN UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS FROM NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This study investigated the perception of science education students on the use of 
computer-based test (CBT) mode of examination in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, 
Awka. Three research questions were raised and answered to achieve the purpose 
of the study and one hypothesis was formulated. Descriptive survey research 
design was used to carry out this study. The population of the study consists of all 
the 1016 Science Education Regular Students in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, 
Awka in 2023/2024 session.  Using simple random sampling, a sample size of 50 
students from each level was used for the study making a total sample size of 200 
students. The instrument used for collection of data was a structured questionnaire 
developed by the researchers.  The questionnaire contained 30 item questions. The 
instrument was validated by two experts from the Faculty of Education. To 
determine the internal consistency of the instrument, Cronbach alpha method was 
used and the reliability was found to be 0.83. Data for the study was collected by the 
researchers themselves. Data collected were analyzed using arithmetic mean and 
standard deviation. The mean was used to answer the research questions. Results 
revealed that CBT influences the academic performance of science education 
students in Nnamdi Azikiwe University. It also revealed that CBT influences the 
credibility of examinations in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka by making it 
easier to track and analyze data about student performance which can help to 
improve the quality of exam. It was then recommended among others that 
educators should implement computer-based test mode of examination across 
different level of the school system, so as to continue fostering acceptance among 
students of these different levels.