An Exploratory Investigation Into Factors Contributing to Computer-Based Testing

Background: Computer-based testing (CBT) is gaining in popularity in educational settings, and students seem more inclined to take tests delivered via computers. This study aimed at examining factors affecting CBT. Methods: This descriptive study intended to explore factors which might affect medical computer-based testing (CBT). Accordingly, a researcher-made questionnaire (alpha = 0.86) was administered to 264 conveniently selected medical students enrolled in general English language courses at Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in Spring 2016. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed seeking experts’ opinions. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 23). Results: The results of exploratory factor analysis showed that six factors could affect CBT. These six factors explained 55.91% of the variance. Among the factors, self-esteem accounted for the highest variance (26.34%), while cost-effectiveness accounted for the lowest variance (4.73%). Conclusions: These findings suggest that CBT may motivate medical language learners, building their self-esteem and identity. Therefore, they may prefer it to pencil-and-paper tests because of the higher accuracy of CBT.