Hassle-Free Operation for IBT/CBT, AI Shapes Grading and Analyzing Data

learningBOX, Inc. will implement functional enhancements to its e-learning system, learningBOX, at the mid of June 2024 (scheduled), including countermeasures against impersonation and cheating, and other functions related to the implementation and operation of IBT and CBT.

Preventing Cheating on IBT/CBT

Following the pandemic, and in line with changes in society such as the promotion of DX (Digital transformation), the field of examinations is also accelerating its shift to online. In an increasing number of cases, examinations that were previously conducted on paper are being replaced by online examinations.

In Japan, in April 2024, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) announced the "Implementation of the National Achievement and Learning Survey after 2025," which states that for the National Achievement and Learning Survey in 2025, only the science test in junior high schools will be implemented using MEXT's CBT system. The use of CBT will facilitate the accumulation of big data on answers to the questions, which can then be analyzed to improve the quality of education and enhance teacher training.

While it is assumed that IBT and CBT will be further utilized in various fields in the future, not only in education, countermeasures against cheating have become an issue in test centers and remiote examinations. Particularly in high-stakes testing*, there is a need for test operations that reliably guarantee safety and equality.

*High-stakes testing: university entrance examinations, certification examinations and other examinations that have serious consequences for examinees and related parties.

In addition to the need to strictly check that examinees are taking the exam in person and monitor them to ensure that they are not cheating, there is also an urgent need to improve the efficiency of examinee management and grading operations regarding online exams.

As an initiative to greatly enhance the existing features, learningBOX will implement functional enhancements to strictly monitor for cheating, such as impersonation and cheating, to ensure fairness in evaluation for high-stakes examinations.

Facial Recognition and Browser Proctoring

The e-learning system, learningBOX, is used by many users across industries and business sectors for a variety of purposes, including internal training, certification and qualification examinations, knowledge sharing, content sales, and school education.

In response to the increasing demand for IBT and CBT, we have decided to add new functions regarding the implementation and operation of online examinations in the version upgrade scheduled at the mid of June 2024, in order to ensure fairness while preventing cheating.

Facial Recognition

Examinee's profile picture will be registered as user information, and AI recognizes the captured photo at the beginning of the exam. If facial recognition fails, the system can prevent the exam from starting, thereby preventing impersonating themselves.

Browser Proctoring and Photo Capturing

A warning will be displayed if tab switching is detected during the exam or if the examinee exits the full screen mode. If the warning is displayed more than a certain number of times or if the exam is not resumed within a specified time, the exam can be terminated.

In addition, photos of the examinee can be captured during the exam randomly up to 30 times per exam or at the time warnings are displayed in the browser proctoring.

Proctor Report

Operations and captured photos during the exam are recorded in the proctor report, allowing manangers to check the examinee's performance. The suspicion level will be determined by the number of warnings and other information, and allow the grader to finalize the grade of the exam.

Detailed Settings

Facial authentication, conditions of suspicious behaviors and more detailed options can be selected.

The features including facial recognition and photo-capturing during examinations are available for Standard or higher plans, and browser proctopring is available for all plans. (For more details, see Pricing)

Streamlines Examinee Management and Grading

In addition to the proctoring features, learningBOX offers an all-in-one solutions for online examination including question creation, user/grade management, exam sales and exam registration.

Grading Workflow

When multiple people are assigned to check and grade essay questions, etc., the approval steps and the management roles of each grader can be set in advance as a grading workflow.

AI Asissts Report Analysis

Based on the model answers, AI analyzes the report and writing questions, showing the similarity to the model answers. It also automatically generates feedback comments. This reduces the time-consuming task of grading writing questions.
*Unlimited use for Standard and higher plans

Score Chart Summarizes Grades, Trends and Status

Exam results can be displayed in a Score chart with nine different panels. Multiple exam results can be combined to create a single score chart, which can also be used to track trends and status of examinees' answers.

Badges and Certificates

Badges and certificates can be created and given to examinees according to the status. Certificates can also be used as a certificate of successful completion of the certification exam. We are also planning to support digital badges in the future.

Self-Registration and eCommerce

The EC special license allows you to complete online sales and self-registration for the exam entirely on learningBOX. Also, it contributs to smooth digitallization, transfering data of users and passed exams in bulk.

Case Studies

Online Certification Exam with learningBOX
Muko City, Kyoto, Japan

The Furusato Examination, which had been conducted on paper, was switched to an online examination to improve convenience for examinees and to approach a younger demographic in addition to reducing the workload involved in conducting the examination at venues. The user interface is easy to understand and intuitive to operate, and has led to reductions in paper printing costs, pass certificate shipping costs, venue costs, labor costs, etc.

For more information about this case study, click here

learningBOX Enables to Take Examinations Online during Panemic
The Art Certification Test Association

Due to the pandemic, the association switched from conducting the certification examinations at venues in five cities nationwide to IBT, which can be taken from home. The EC option also made it possible to issue special coupons, such as student discounts, and the EC option made it easier to understand and analyze examinees' application status.

For more information about this case study, click here

■For more details about the use case of IBT/CBT, click here