Automated adaptive testing vs. linear testing in undergraduate mathematics

Øyvind Aas; Wasana Leithe

doi:10.5324/nikt.6214

Automated adaptive testing vs. linear testing in undergraduate mathematics

Authors

Øyvind Aas Kristiania University College
Wasana Leithe Kristiania University College

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5324/nikt.6214

Keywords:

Automated adaptive test, Undergraduate teaching, Randomized control trial

Abstract

We conduct a lab-based randomized controlled trial with 47 undergraduate students in mathematics, comparing an automated adaptive testing system, which adjusts difficulty based on performance, to traditional linear tests. Results shows that students using the adaptive test scored 26.2 percentage points higher on a subsequent exam than those in the linear test group (p < 0.05). Feedback indicate that participants found the system user-friendly, believed it could improve their performance, and valued the tailored feedback, particularly guidance on focus areas.