Revolutionizing Online Exams on a Budget: A Zero-cost, Open-source Approach for Challenging Times

Abstract

In today's digital era, the importance of an online exam system cannot be overstated. This technology-driven approach offers unparalleled flexibility, accessibility, and efficiency in the assessment process. It empowers individuals to engage in remote learning and evaluation, breaking down geographical and time constraints. Additionally, it streamlines administrative tasks, reduces paper usage, and provides instant grading, contributing to a more sustainable, timely, and adaptable educational and assessment landscape. This article presents an innovative, zero-cost technological solution for online examination systems, utilizing open-source tools. The approach includes the generation of student hall tickets based on information provided through forms, which are then sent to students a week before the exam. Additionally, the Controller of Examination manually creates the exam timetable and establishes Google Classrooms for each program, with topics generated through Google Scripts. Google Forms are generated from a Google Sheet containing MCQ questions and keys submitted by faculty in a prescribed format. A custom Google Script parses the sheet to create corresponding Google Forms. For monitoring and attendance, WebEx is employed, with students receiving two links via email 15 min before the commencement of the examination. The first link allows students to join a WebEx meeting for attendance and monitoring, while the second link directs them to a Google Form containing the MCQ question paper. Remarkably, the Google Form becomes active precisely on time. After the exam, Google Form is disabled and stops accepting responses. The student submissions are manually verified. While this system may not offer a fully robust solution, it provides a cost-effective temporary alternative, particularly relevant during situations such as COVID-19 pandemic.