Online exam terms, in plain English.

A

Answer key

The list of correct answers for objective questions, used to mark them. A wrong key is fixed by correcting it and re-evaluating. Re-evaluation →

Answer sheet

The paper on which a candidate writes answers in a written exam; in online marking it is scanned into a PDF. Paper exams →

Assertion-reason question

A question pairing a statement with a reason; the candidate chooses whether each is true and whether the reason explains the assertion. Usually set as a single-correct MCQ.

Auto-submit

Submitting a test automatically when time runs out or after a set number of integrity violations. Online exams →

B

Bloom's taxonomy

A ladder of thinking skills (remember, understand, apply, analyse, evaluate, create) used to balance a paper beyond recall. AI reports →

Blueprint

A table that fixes marks per unit, question type and difficulty before questions are written. Blueprint guide →

C

Comprehension (passage-based) question

Questions that refer to a shared passage, data set or case study shown alongside them. Question types →

Computer-based test (CBT)

An exam taken on a computer rather than on paper, usually in a supervised centre.

Cutoff

The minimum marks needed to qualify, set for a whole test or for each section.

D

Diagnostic test

A test designed to find gaps in understanding rather than to rank, usually given before teaching.

E

Evaluator

The person who checks and marks subjective answers. Access to evaluate is usually controlled per exam.

F

Formative assessment

Frequent, low-stakes checks during learning, such as quizzes and practice tests, used to guide teaching.

H

Hidden test cases

Inputs used to mark a coding answer that the candidate cannot see, so solutions can't be hard-coded. Coding tests →

I

Item analysis

Studying each question's results (how many got it right, which wrong options were chosen) to judge its quality and the class's understanding. Question insights →

L

Leaderboard

A ranked list of candidates by marks, often with time taken and percentile.

Live window

The fixed period in which a scheduled exam can be started and written.

M

Marking scheme

The rules for awarding marks: points expected per answer, step marks and penalties.

Mark for review

A flag a candidate puts on a question to return to it before submitting.

MCQ (multiple choice question)

A question with options from which the candidate picks one (single correct) or several (multiple correct) answers.

Mock test

A full-length rehearsal of a real exam with the same pattern, timing and marking. Mock test series →

Model answer

A teacher's ideal answer to a subjective question, used to guide marking.

N

Negative marking

Deducting marks for wrong answers to discourage guessing. Negative marking explained →

Numeric answer type

A question answered by typing a number instead of choosing an option.

O

OMR (optical mark recognition)

Reading filled bubbles on printed answer sheets with a scanner. Different from checking written answers on screen.

On-screen marking (OSM)

Checking scanned answer sheets on a computer instead of on paper. On-screen checking →

Open registration test

A test anyone can register for through a public link, often used for scholarships and admissions. Open registration →

P

Percentile

The percentage of test-takers who scored at or below a given candidate. Rank vs percentile →

Practice test

An untimed, always-open test meant for learning rather than ranking.

Proctoring

Supervising an exam to keep it fair, in person or remotely through browser rules and camera checks. AI proctoring →

Q

Question bank

A searchable store of questions, tagged by topic, type and difficulty, used to build papers. Question bank →

Question palette

The grid of question numbers on an exam screen showing which are answered, unanswered or marked for review.

R

Randomisation

Shuffling question order (or printing different sets) so neighbouring candidates see different papers.

Re-evaluation

Marking answers again, for example after a corrected answer key or a candidate's request.

Reading time

A short timed preview of the paper before the exam clock starts.

Remote proctoring

Proctoring candidates who write from home, using their own device's browser and camera.

Rubric

A breakdown of what earns marks in a subjective answer, criterion by criterion. AI checking →

S

Section

A part of a paper with its own questions and, often, its own timer, marks and cutoff.

Summative assessment

A test at the end of a unit, term or course that measures what was learned, such as a term exam.

T

Tab switching

Leaving the exam tab for another tab or app, which proctoring tools detect and limit.

Test series

A planned sequence of tests, usually chapter tests building to full mocks, before a competitive exam.