Rising popularity of electronic exams

There has been a steady increase in the number of examinations taken electronically, with a fourfold increase in participation in 2009 over the previous year. This year, too, the number of exams taken electronically has remained high.

While early in 2009 only a handful of students participated in such examinations, numbers of candidates early this year rose to between one and two hundred. In the summer months over 300 electronic examinations were taken monthly.

“A decision taken last year by the Department of Academic and International Affairs to support only electronic summer exams was decisive in this change in the number of examination taken. The range of examinations offered this way expanded considerably and after summer, too, many exams set up for summer were available,” says systems specialist Pauli Borodulin of the Computer Centre.

Students are fairly conscientious about presenting themselves for the examinations for which they have enrolled, with over 80% of them actually turning up.

“Last year the main rush was at the end of summer with our entire capacity in very efficient use. This year students have been informed about this on the front page of the examinations service so that fewer of them would leave their summer exams to the last days of August,” Mr. Borodulin continues.

As temperatures soar to the thirties the electronic examination facility in the Pinni Building is full of emptiness. Yet one brave soul has ventured in. Jenni Kukkola, an accounting undergraduate, is on her way to take an exam on the basics of economic and social history.

She is not particularly familiar with electronic exams. Ms. Kukkola, who will soon be entering the third year of her studies, explains: “This is only my second electronic exam. In the Department of Economics and Accounting I don’t think there have been any electronic exams available. Doing exams electronically is an easy way. You can book your time and there are plenty of times to choose from. I find it convenient; there should be more electronic exams available,” she continues.

Text: Merja Haverinen