ONLINE SCREENING TEST

(A CASE STUDY OF COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL

UNIVERSITY GUSAU)

BY

SALIM SA’IDU
REG NO:1807231047
AND
JUNAIDU MUHAMMAD
REG NO:1807231048

A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF

COMPUTER SCIENCE, SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,

ABDU NGUSAU POLYTECHNIC TALATA MAFARA ZAMFARA STATE.

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD

OF NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

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APRIL 2021.

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 CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that this project was carried out by SALIM SA’IDU AND

JUNAIDU MUHAMMAD has been approved by MALAM ABDULAZIZ GARBA

under the Department of Computer Science, Abdu Gusau Polytechnic Talata Mafara,

in partial fulfillment for the award of National Diploma in Computer Science.

.................................. ………………...................

Mal. Abdulaziz Garba Date

Project Coordinator

.................................. ………………...................

Mal. Musa Abubakar Date

Project Supervisor

...............................,,.. ………………...................
Mal. Shehu Muhammad Date
Head of Department

.................................. ………………...................

Mal. Sharaihu sani Date

Dean School Of Science And Tech

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iii
 DEDICATION

This work is dedicated to the Almighty God for giving us the knowledge,

wisdom and understanding in the pursuit of our academic career.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Very sincerely, our first greeting goes to our family and friends for their caring

attitude and support from the beginning of our pursuit of ND in Computer science to

this point we also appreciate the school management and the department of computer

science.

In addition, we want to express our appreciation to our immediate supervisor (Mal.

Musa Abubakar) for his intellectual support during our project work.

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 ABSTRACT

Computers are known for their wide range of uses especially in scientific and
mathematical fields. However little or no thought has been given to designing a
complete and thorough intelligence test on a computer system in our immediate
environment. This online screening test is designed to assist school administration
test in attaining a standardized sample, and as such the psychological implication
of such a design is very important. The design of the system is quite simple
and easily understood. Its flexibility makes it amenable for future changes and
amendment to either incorporate other aspects of intelligence or to be designed for
any other school age or class. The question of the o n l i n e s c r e e n i n g test
system are programmed and visually displayed on the system‘s screen in an
interactive form. The candidate answers the question on the computer system,
immediately the question is marked and notified. The result of the test is also
displayed at the end of the test which goes a long way to lessen the fears of
candidates that they were marked down in the test. Since the test is marked by the
computer, time cost of manual marking is saved. Based on the virtues of internet
amendment which have been made to the test system concept by constructing a
website with online screening test, online question setting and answer and online
management by the administrator. The programming languages used are
HTML,CSS, JAVASCRIPT, PHP and MYSQL database.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page - - - - - - - - i Certification -

- - - - - - - ii Approval page - - - - -

- - - iii Dedication - - - - - - - - iv

Acknowledgement - - - - - - - v Abstract - -

- - - - - - - vi CHAPTER ONE

Introduction - - - - - - - - 1

Background Of The Study - - - - - -2

Objective of The Study - - - - - - -5

Justification for the System - - - - - -6

Statement of Problem - - - - - - -7

Scope Of The Study - - - - - - - -8

Significance Of Study - - - - - - -9

CHAPTER TWO

2.1 Literature Review - - - - - - - 11

2.2 Computer Versus Paper - - - - - - 27

2.3 Computer Assisted Learning - - - - - -31

2.4 Computer Based Learning - - - - - -35

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CHAPTER THREE

Methodology and Analysis Of The Present System - 48

Research Methodology - - - - - 48

Software Process Model - - - - - - 49

Method Of Data Collection - - - - - 50

Online screening Test use-case

Model Main Diagram-- - - - -- - - 51

User Requirement Definition - - - - - 64

The Products And Process Features - - - 65

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System Requirement Specification - - - - 66

The features That Are Available

To be Administrator Are: - - - - - - 67

The features That Are Available To The Testiner Are: 68

Non-Functional System requirement - - - 68

Safety Requirements- - - - - - -- 68

Security Requirements - - - - - - 69

Software Quality Attributes - - - - - 69

System Interfaces - - - - - - - 69

User Interface - - - - - - - - 70

Hardware Interfaces - - - - - - - -70

Software Interfaces - - - - - - - -70

Communications Interfaces - - - - - - -70

System Models - - - - - - - - -71

System Evolution - - - - - - - - -71

Context Diagram - - - - - - - - -72

Interaction Model - - - - - - - -73

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CHAPTER FOUR

System Design, Testing, And Implementation - 80

System Design - - - - - - - - 80

System implementation - - - - - - 80

CHAPTER FIVE

Summary Conclusion And Recommendation - - 92

Summary - - - - - - - - - 92

Conclusion- - - - - - - - - 92

Recommendation - - - - - - - - 93

Reference - - - - - - - - 94

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 CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

A test is a method that many educational Schools use to test the level of
understanding of the students, selecting candidates for admission or a company
recruits employees. These test may be administered at any level of education, from
primary to higher education, although they are more common at higher levels.
Online screening tests are very convenient and fast. Online screening test has three
purposes.
1. To allow test takers at different places to take the test at the same time through
the online screening test website.
2. Through careful planning and proper coding, enable test, result checking
and admission status on the websites.
3. To integrate database with the program allowing administrator easily addition
of question and creation of test.

This document will propose all features and procedures to develop the system. This
document specially containing details about objectives, scope limitation, process
model, primary requirements, team development, possible project risks, project
schedule, and finally monitoring and reporting mechanisms. Online screening test
is very useful for Educational Institute to prepare an test, safe the time that will
take to check the paper and prepare mark sheets. It will help the Institute to test of
candidates and develop their skills. But the disadvantages for this system, it takes
a lot of times when you prepare the test at the first time for usage. And we are
needs number of computers with the same number of candidates. The effective
use of "Online screening test", any Educational Institute or training centers can be

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use it to develop their strategy for putting the test, and for getting better results in
less time.

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However the formulation of question for test is often treated with consciousness.
With the developing of computer application technology, more and more computer
application software is coming up. This application software‘s associated to every
part of people‘s daily life, and so does the tests. Just like other application system,
test systems develop very fast, from simple stand-alone system to computer based
system, and now some web based system. Although there are a lot of test
systems, but there also have blanks in some special fields. Test Evaluation
System integrated into the Multimedia Emulation Training System of certain type
equipment is designed and will be introduced. This system can be used to help people
familiar with the equipment usage quickly which can save money and time. Now the
following will analysis and contrast the existing test systems, and shoveling out the
improvement of our test system. Then we will introduce some characteristics of our
system in chapter 3. And in chapter 4 we will introduce the key technology that
applied in our system. At last we make a summary on our system and make a brief
prospect on the future of the test system.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The present method of screening students in Computer science Department, Federal
University Gusau is manual which involve the use of pen and paper to write the
screening test. The current system the following problems:
1. The manual method could not handle the problem of sorting test malpractice
during test.
2. The candidates are thinking they where mark down during the screening test.
3. Cost of constant purchase of answer booklets
4. Time w a s t e d and human labor of strolling round the test hall for checking
candidates irregular act in the test hall.
5. Cost of transportation as the test candidates cannot easily write their screening test
anywhere around the globe.
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1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The aim of this research is to develop an online screening test for the Department of
computer science Federal University Gusau. The research set the following objectives:
To develop an online system that will allow the candidate to participate in the
screening in an easy and an efficient manner.
Create strong and secrete data base that allow for any connection in a secret
way.
To design a system that will prevent any outside or inside attacks or question
leakage.
Develop a system that will eliminate the cost of transportation as the test
candidates can easily write their screening test anywhere around the world.

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 Develop a software that can prevent test malpractices by applying strict
timing possibility for each question an
To design software that will mark questions immediately after submission.
Therefore the candidate fear of been marked down is eradicated and sorting
practice is reduced.
1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
This study will cover the online screening test using Computer science Department
Federal University Gusau as the case study.The study will also take in to
consideration the way all the department are conducting their screening test.
The system will only provide the questions based on based on introduction to
computer .

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study will contribute positively to show candidate their scores after the test.
In this era of dwindling resources the management of public and private School,
will need an effective system (online screening test).with online screening test
human labor is saved, time and cost is maximized effectively.
1.6 DEFINITIONS OF SOME TERMS
Test A entrance test offered the system, have some question and multiple
choices answer.
Teacher A person contributes questions and views profile of candidates.

Candidate A person has an account on the online screening entrance test.

Administrator A person manages the operation of the system.

Question A problem has 4 choices and only correct answer.

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 CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Several researches have been directed towards the development of a fast an

efficient way of writing tests without laxity. Some of the research carried out and
the views of several writers concerning the development of an online screening test
or other related software technology are as follows:
Online screening instruction seems to be the ideal answer for busy individuals
with a job who need more education in order to advance or just keep pace
professionally (Holt, 1999; Macht, 1998) this is simply referring to a way of
keeping learning to far individuals who which to study close . A report by a faculty
group at the University of Illinois, however, has found many on campus candidates
take many if not all of their classes online screening (Regalbuto, 1999).a basic
concept of online screening entrance is facilitated around the online screening
learning which also a very important factor.
2.2 COMPUTER VERSUS PAPER
In 2007 the test consisted of a single document containing questions with spaces
under each for candidate responses. We had two computer ‗lockups‘, but both
candidates had been able to resume after a restart, losing none of their work. In
designing the 2008 e-Test, we realized candidates might inadvertently edit the
questions, so prepared these as a separate PDF file. In
Addition we included a stimulus scenario video and PowerPoint candidate work
Sample. Inadequate entrance test on the variety of computers failed to reveal the
Video playback did not silence internal computer speakers on some models Despite
using headphones, which disturbed other candidates? In addition,
The version of Open Office crashed when a PowerPoint file was closed – not
A good experience for candidates new to e-Tests! These factors accounted For
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many of the technical difficulties reported by Group B. Nearly one third of the
Candidates who reported other technical difficulties included the comment
the system was slow to respond.

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2.3 COMPUTER ASSISTED LEARNING

Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) has been a term of increasing significance

during the last decade and can also be referred to as Computer Based Instruction
(CBI), Computer Aided Learning (CAL), or Computer Aided Instruction (CAI)
(Bachman, 1998). For the purpose of this review, we can simply define CAL as the
learning procedures and environments facilitated through computers. However, the
keyword for understanding Computer Assisted Learning is interaction. Computers
can facilitate interaction during the learning process on multiple levels. On one
level we have interaction of the candidate/user with the content and the learning
material. On another level, computers can host interaction of the candidate/user
with the tutor, peer interaction or interaction between members of whole ‗‗virtual‘‘
learning communities. The concept of interaction with content was first introduced
in applications as early as the 1980‘s and is probably the best studied aspect of
Computer Assisted Learning (Hinman, 1996). Computers‘ facilitation of
interaction between humans, however, has only emerged during the last decade, as
explosive technological progress and the Internet allowed reliable and inexpensive
communication.

Computer mediated human-human interaction is a whole new area in Computer

Assisted Learning, which presents special methodological considerations and
requires separate study (Mattheos , 2000).

The present review will be focused on Computer Assisted Learning applications

where interaction is limited between the user and the content, as the educational
experience with these applications is wider, and their future prospects are also
remarkable. These Computer Assisted Learning applications were initially

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designed for local use as part of the traditional curriculum. However as both
technology and educational experience mature, the real potential of these programs
unfolds in distance learning. It is important to remark that although interactive
Computer Assisted Learning programs are accessed from different places, they are
directed by the same educational principles. For instance an ‗‗interactive computer
maintenance‘‘ can be accessed through a CDROM in the university ICT lab
supplementing the local curriculum, and the same application can be available on the
web as part of a distance learning course. In both cases, the learning principles and
methodological implications are identical, as long as the interaction remains between
the user and the content. Therefore study of this kind of application even if in a local
environment, is directly applicable to the use of Computer Assisted Learning in
distance learning, where the future of the medium undoubtedly lies. The present
study aims to summarize the current experience in the field of Computer Assisted
Learning applications in computer hardware maintenance and trouble shooting. The
review is particularly focused on educational value of Computer Assisted Learning,
as well as its effectiveness in comparison to traditional teaching. In addition, we
intend to investigate the attitude towards Computer Assisted Learning among the
candidates, staff and professionals. Finally, visible future trends and developments in
the field will be presented.
2.4 COMPUTER-BASED LEARNING

Computer-based learning, sometimes abbreviated to CBL, refers to the use of

computers as a key component of the educational environment. While this can
refer to the use of computers in a classroom, the term more broadly refers to a
structured environment in which computers are used for teaching purposes. The
concept is generally seen as being distinct from the use of computers in ways
where learning is at least a peripheral element of the experience (e.g. computer games
and web browsing).
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 CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 METHODOLOGY

Research Methodology involves the specification of procedure for collecting and

analyzing data necessary to define or solve the problem for which the research is

embarked upon. The scope of the research covers the Abdu Gusau Polytechnic Staff

Cooperative Society.

3.2 METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION

Data collection: Is the process of gathering and measuring information on variable of

interest, in an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research
questions, test hypothesis and evaluate outcomes.

The method of data collection instrument is as follows:-

i) Questionnaire
ii) Interview
iii) Observation
iv) Test
v) Record investigation
vi) use of Internet
1. QUESTIONNAIRE: Questionnaire may be used to collect regular or infrequent
routine data, and data specialized studies while information in this section applies to
questionnaire for all these uses. Some of the data obtain through questionnaire
include demographic characteristics, fishing practices, general information. a

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 researcher using questionnaire for data collection would need to assure
himself/herself that the respondent.
i) Understand question as the interviewer intends
ii) Is the respondent willingly to provides answer or data
iii) Is a competent source of data
iv) Answer question in the form intended and with integrity.
The researcher should design the questionnaire to be as simple, clear and short as
possible.
2. INTERVIEW: Interviews are obtained through inquiry and record by enumerators.
Structured interviews are performed by using survey forms, whereas open interview
are notes taken while talking with respondent (face to face) an interview has the
follow advantage over questionnaire.
i) People are usually more willing to talk then write
ii) The interviewer can explain and clarify issues of his investigation.
iii) It is particular useful when dealing with, illiterate and these with language
difficulties
iv) Is possible to assess the mood, sincerity and integrity of the interview as
he/she answer the question.
3. OBSERVATION: Observation is used to obtain direct information about certain
situation, object and individual. It enables the researcher to see first-hand, the
characteristics behavior of persons, object or situation he is interested in. observation
may take any of these forms.
i) Participate observation: is one in which the observer also participates in the
activities or situation he is observing. The researchers may do this with either a
hidden or a known identity
ii) Non-participate observation:- is one in which researchers observe the situation
without participate or becoming involved in it.

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4. TEST: Tests are devices or instrument used to measure an individual performance,
abilities or intelligence. These type of test commonly used.
i) Achievement test:- these are test designed to measure the amount of
learning that the learner has acquire in a given subjected matter
ii) Aptitude test:- these are test that attempt to predict an individual capacity
or potentials to perform
iii) Personality test:- these are test designed to measure the personality traits of
an individual therefore making it easier for us to fit into a personality
group.
5. RECORD INVESTIGATION: In this method, reliable record can be studied any
analyzed in order to reconstruct the existing information analyzing and organization
relationship in the project.
6. USE OF INTERNET: Internet is the one of the most useful source of research
material. Internet is a global system of interconnected governmental, academic,
corporate, public, and private computer networks. It is based on the networking
technologies of the Internet Protocol Suite. It is the successor of the Advanced
Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) developed by DARPA of the U.S.
Department of Defense. The Internet is also the communications backbone
underlying the World Wide Web (WWW).
The methods used in collecting data for this research work are as follow:
i) Interview method
ii) Observation method
iii) Record investigation method and
iv) Use of Internet method
In this research, interview method was adopted for the collection of data from the case
study.

3.3 ANALYSIS OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM

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System analysis is the separation of a system into its key components and the study of
each component independently and in relation to the components. Any additional
constraints (internal and external) have to be included in the overall analysis to
determine their impact on the key decision affecting the existing system. The end results
if a realistic definition of the problem area as a basis for designing a more effective
system. System analysis them must precede system design.

3.3.1 ANALYSIS OF THE PROPOSED INPUT

The term input refers to the item or materials required for the registration process. It
consists of collected data and other related materials bring process for the production of
an output or these includes all the necessary vital information for the registration and
result process which are to be provided by the candidate.

Some of this vital information includes:-

 Student Id
 First name
 Middle Name
 Last Name
 Gender
 Address
 Username
 password
 3.3.2 ANALYSIS OF THE PROPOSED OUTPUT

Having identified the constraints of the new system, the researcher will analyze the
output of the system. Output means the end result of any processed data that is in a
form of information that is of direct use for the end users. They usually found in
terms of presenting the record to the students.

3.4 FILE STRUCTURE

The specification of the system has been made up facilities easy and logical
procedures of the data to be displayed. The purpose of the specification is to
ensure not file is omitted. Therefore, the file structure of the proposed system is:

1. The candidates registration

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 2. The candidates result
CANDIDATE REGISTRATION TABLE

Field Name Data Type

STUDENT ID INT(10)

FIRST NAME VARCHAR(20)

MIDDLE NAME VARCHAR(20)

LAST NAME VARCHAR(20)

GENDER VARCHAR(20)

ADDRESS VARCHAR(20)

USERNAME VARCHAR(20)

PASSWORD VARCHAR(20)

RESULT TABLE

Field Name Data Type

STUDENT ID INT(10)

FIRST NAME VARCHAR(50)

MIDDLE NAME VARCHAR(20)

LAST NAME VARCHAR(20)

GENDER VARCHAR(20)

ADDRESS VARCHAR(20)

SCORES INT(20)

3.5 SYSTEM REQUIREMENT

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In order to realize this project, the following software and hardware component were
used.
3.5.1 HAREWARE REQUIREMENT
The hardware requirement for this project is started bellow:-
1. 1 gigabyte of RAM
2. 50 Gigabyte hard disk
3. Dual core processors (preferable for faster speed)
4. Enhance keyboard
5. Intel computer system
3.5.2 SOFTWARE REQUIREMENT
1. Window 7 operating system or later version
2. WAMP server 2.1
3. Dreamweaver
4. Any type of browser

3.6 ONLINE SCREENING TESTUSE-CASE MODEL MAIN DIAGRAM

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 CHAPTER FOUR

SYSTEM DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION

4.1 SYSTEM DESIGN

The system is designed to have seven windows php form. this forms tend to create
the unique interaction between the candidate and system to support them into
achieving their screening test task. The form has been simplified to have various
object representing certain identity that enable the candidate accomplish the test
and result produce in due time. The forms and object feature have been elaborated
below.

4.2 SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

The system was designed using Dreamweaver cs6. This platform is enriched with
many programming language such as HTML, CSS and PHP for web programming.
Having considered the enormous task ahead the html,css and php was used in the
development. Mysql database was used as query language to retrieve information
from the database.
4.3 INTERFACE DESIGN

FIGURE 4.3.1 REGISTRATION FORM

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In the registration form the admin can register the candidate in order to enable him
to access the test form.

FIGURE 4.3.2 LOGIN FORM

In the online screening test the verification process helps recognize only registered
candidate for the test. in this form we have required information to be entered to
accomplish this process such information include:

users name
password

This information is displayed on an object called label while the input object for
this feature is the textbox.

When a candidate logs in after the welcome page he/she is expected to enter the
users name and password . When this information are entered into the required
field the system connect to the database to verify this acclaimed person and ensure
that he has registered duly for the test if the verification process was successful the
users would be taken to next form if not a message will be displayed user not
recognized please enter your username and password again.
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FIGURE 4.3.3 TEST FORM

This is the main form of the system where candidate are tested through the
computer process .in this form a series of random question are produce and also
options to that question are produce . Candidate are expected to select just one
and answer and click on summit

FIGURE 4.3.4 RESULT FORM

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Once a candidate finishes his test he can view the status of his result immediately
by clicking on view result.

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System flow chart START

CANDIDATE REGISTRATTION

INPUT USERNAME AND

PASSWORD

TYPE THE CATCHE PROPERTY

Is the username NO
and password
valid?

Yes

START TEST

HAS THE
TIME FOR
TEST
ELLAPSE?

AUTOMATICALLY STOP USERS

Display Result

STOP

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 CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 SUMMARY

Online screening test is way of improving educational activities fast and efficient
over period of years candidate have had cause to bother about the way and marking
of their test some normally have the thought of been mark down while some have
the thought of their test been marked negatively by the school test and record as
a result of this notion which candidate are considering a fast and reliable way
that could help ensure that immediately they finish their test their script is marked
and result displayed this will help reduce their fear of how their script would be
marked. This software is very interactive and users friendly has all the command
controls that would allow candidate successfully accomplish the test have been
implemented using the simplest graphic styles. All users needs to do is to register
by buying a scratch card from the school of choice center after registration you
are giving a secret password. You have to use your secret password and your
serial pin of the scratch card purchase to login for the test.

5.2 CONCLUSION

Having developed the online screening test though it is subjected to modification

of feature as time goes on. This software through its interactive interface can
minimize the educational workload of the educational sector, save cost no need
for paper purchase, save human labor and time due to the auto timing of each test.
This is a very creative information technology system the system

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can store the record if each candidate and it can also be recall when necessary
reference is needed. As a result of the ability of the system candidate can write
their test within a remote location once connected to the web url.
5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS

Online screening test considering the benefit to the society the following
recommendation has been made

University Education: The online screening test would be very useful in this
sector considering the large number of candidate that apply for
university test each year and invigilators inability to see the activity of the
candidate. Using this in the university sector the labor and stress is reduced
and also to avoid human error of misplacing candidate script.
In Schools and colleges of education
In professional testal bodies like NABTEB, ICAN, JAMB e. t.c.

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