What is CBT and its difference from IBT?
Compare its advantages and disadvantages.

2022.04.08

In recent years, the number of implementing computer-based certification and qualification examinations called CBT has been increasing instead of paper-based ones. However, some people may hesitate to adopt the system due to lack of the knowledge itself, or other factors such as its uncertain advantages and disadvantages may prevent them from introducing CBT in spite of their interests.

This article provides an overview of CBT, the differences from IBT, and its advantages and disadvantages for both organizers and examinees. This article will help you when considering the introduction of CBT.

What is CBT?

An examination method that uses computers at the examination site is called CBT (Computer Based Testing).Unlike PBT (Paper Based Testing), in which test papers are handed out for testing Computers are all set at a test site, and CBT allows examinees to take it using them, will be one of the solutions for employees both at home and abroad.

It is required to use a mouse and keyboard, and you can conduct listening and speaking comprehension by utilizing earphones and microphones.
CBT is used for various qualification tests such as IT Passport Examination, The Official Business Skills Test in Bookkeeping, and The EIKEN Test in Practical English Proficiency.

Differences from IBT

Although IBT (Internet Based Testing) has similarities to CBT in that it is a computer-based testing method, it is sometimes called WBT (Web Based Testing) because of the use of the internet.

Talking about CBT, devices are prepared at a designated testing site while the IBT has no location restrictions and can be taken by a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

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Advantages for an organizer

CBT enables you to reduce the time and expense involved in preparing for an exam, such as arranging a venue and supervisor, test papers, and writing materials.
As for features of computers, videos and audio are available, which allows you to score more specific examinees’ abilities.

The following are three advantages of CBT for organizers.

Less work burden to hold tests

The introduction of CBT will eliminate much of the work involved in administering the test and greatly reduces the burden on organizers. By using test centers, you do not need to prepare test sites nor to arrange for personnel since each site is staffed by examination proctors.

While PBT requires the preparation and distribution of materials such as test forms and writing materials, you can save time and effort by using computers installed at the site. Also, CBT will allow you to automatically score the test after the test.

Prevent from information leakage and cheating

CBT has security measures against information leakage and cheating. Test questions are downloaded to a computer just before the test begins, and no data remains on the test questions since the server is not located at the test site.
The system is set up so that programs other than test questions cannot be started during the exam, and operations such as copy and paste are also controlled to prevent cheating.

When entering the test center, applicants are required to identify themselves with an examination voucher and a document with a photograph. Each seat is separated by partitions, and an examination proctor patrols the room to prevent cheating, such as taking a duplicate test or cheating.

A wide variety of questions

CBT can also contain video and audio functions, allowing for questions in formats that are unable to do with PBT. In addition to listening comprehension, a speaking test is also available by connecting a microphone in order to examine pronunciation and ability to respond.

The more variation in the questions there are, the more deeply the organizers will examine applicants' abilities and consider implementing more advanced exams.

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Disadvantages for an organizer

It is necessary to take into consideration that the implementation of CBT requires cost in addition to provision for security and operational risks. 
Talking about the cost, the total may not differ much from other testing methods because you can save it somehow for the preparation and materials. However, as for cheating, system errors and communication errors, it is difficult to prevent completely.

Following are three disadvantages for organizers regarding the introduction of CBT.

Cost

The introduction of CBT involves implementation costs, such as initial and monthly fees. Also, it may cost you if you need to acquire some knowledge as it is difficult to operate CBT without a certain level of knowledge on the part of the organizer.

Although the cost is a disadvantage of CBT, you can save on arranging test sites and examination proctors, or distribution of test forms, etc. When considering the introduction, estimate the total cost and compare it with that of other testing methods.

Difficulty of monitoring

The CBT test center is monitored by examination proctors and cameras, and identification is conducted before entering the room. These measures prevent cheating to some extent, but it does not guarantee that cheating will not occur.

Keep in mind that it is difficult to completely dispel such concerns because the organizers are not able to monitor the examinees directly.

System or communication errors

Since CBT is computer-based, system or communication errors may interfere with the examination.

A large-scale communication failure due to a disaster, etc. may lead to the difficulties to hold the examination itself. Confirm the countermeasures and alternative examination methods in advance.

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Advantages for examinees

CBT enables examinees to take it at a test center near their home, which reduces the time, cost, and physiological burden on them. Furthermore, the date of the test is easily changeable, and an automated scoring system shows the results at once.

Let us introduce three advantages for examinees by CBT.

Available to choose a test site

Test site is widely opened, which makes it easy for examinees to take a CBT even in rural areas.

For examinees, the travel expenses and time depend on the distance to the facility where it is held. Since it can be taken at the place they choose, those burdens can be lightened.

Flexible examination date

CBT allows for changes in examination dates and sites. This is a great advantage for examinees. Even if they have urgent plans, change of the date is adoptable till one business day before the exam.

This will encourage candidates who are wondering if they may have a schedule on the examination day to apply.

On-the-spot examination results

CBT enables automatically to score exams. Therefore, examination results are shown on the spot. You will be able to check the correct answers that you were unsure about or questions you did not understand. Also, you will be able to review the questions soon.

Thanks to the immediate examination results, some will feel less frustration than they used to feel until the result came, and some will be able to make a fresh start.
However, in most cases, not the examination result but the scoring ones will be notified. Make sure that it is not always to inform the examination results on the spot.

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Disadvantages for examinees

The disadvantages for examinees of the introduction of CBT stem from the special environment in which they take the exam. Since the organizer does not directly monitor the exam, some may lose focus and find it difficult to maintain motivation during the exam, and some may feel stressed by the time lag caused by the telecommunications.

Here are two disadvantages for examinees regarding CBT.

Need more effort to focus on the exam

In CBT, examinees are monitored by cameras and examination proctors, but not directly by the organizers. This may lead to their less awareness that they are being watched, and could lose focus on the exam.

Furthermore, while flexible change of a test date and venue allows for a more relaxed approach to the examination, the reduced sense of urgency may lead to negative factors such as pacing errors and careless mistakes.

A time lag by telecommunication

When the answers entered into the computer are sent to the server, there may be a time lag or a temporary communication error that prevents the test from proceeding at a fast pace.

Although nothing is concerned if examinees understand the features and follow the directions, there might be problems where they cannot answer each question at their own pace, and it would make them in a bind. Such situation could cause concern for examinees.

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How does an e-learning system work for CBT?

The introduction of CBT eliminates the need for organizers to arrange venues, examination proctors and materials. Also the use of computers broadens the variety of questions that can be submitted. Since the test sites are located widely, examinees will be able to easily change the examination date and reduce the burden of travel expenses and time.

On the other hand, there are concerns such as the inability to directly monitor examinees and communication errors. Choose the one that offers greater advantages weighing up pros and cons of CBT.

Our e-learning system " learningBOXWith "KPI", you can not only conduct all kinds of examinations, including certification and employment examinations, on the Internet, but also create your own original exam questions from a wide variety of question formats.
Moreover, we have partnerships with companies that provide testing sites for CBT (Japan only), and examinations you create can be administered at test sites, will be one of the solutions for employees both at home and abroad.

If you have any questions about the implementation of CBT, feel free to contact us. For more information, download Free brochure.

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