Gender Differences in Computer-Administered Versus Paper-Based Tests.

For many reasons, paper-based tests of course content are shifting to computer-based administration. This investigation examined student performance on two separate tests delivered either by computer or paper with the first test near the start of the course and the second at the end of the course. Undergraduate-level freshman business majors (N=207) enrolled in an introductory computer skills course were randomly assigned to either the computer or paper-based test mode. ANCOVA of test data indicates that students scored slightly higher on computer versus paper administration. Further, the female group, whether tested on paper or online, scored below the males on the first test. However on the final exam, the female students in the computer-administered test group on average attained the highest scores. We suggest that females gained computer savvy during this course that mitigated initial performance deficits that may have resulted from previous lack of exposure to computers and software.