Increasing the Efficiency of Teacher's Work: The Case of Undergraduate Mathematics Mid-Term Assessment

Computer-aided assessment is an important tool that reduces the workload of teachers and increases the efficiency of their work. The multiple-choice test is considered to be one of the most common forms of computer-aided testing and its application for mid-term has indisputable advantages. For the purposes of a high-quality and responsible assessment process, it is necessary to provide a sufficiently extensive databank of test items, especially when a large number of students is involved in the examination. In this paper we deal with the issues of automatic generation of such test items for undergraduate mathematics midterm assessment. We describe the techniques and further circumstances related to designing test items, including the incorrect answers offered. The text also includes a case study dealing in detail with the creation of test items for a particular type of mathematical problem. Finally, efficiency evaluation of automatic item generation in comparison with paper-based questions is presented. Although the results of the article are based on experience influenced by the local conditions of the institution concerned, the ideas suggested remain generally applicable.