A commonly used practice in many schools for automatic scoring of multiple-choice quizes (or tests) is to use a commercially available system based on a centralized desktop card reader machine, and which requires that students mark their answers on pre-printed forms of specific size and layout. This method is relatively expensive due to the equipment and score cards, and is therefore used only for the most critical testing.

In fact, the most useful time to evaluate test results would be immediately afterwards so that feedback to the students can be given and the most commonly missed questions discussed promptly. What is needed is a better, lower cost, convenient way of quickly scoring quizes.

To answer the above needs, a new scoring device was developed based on an 8-bit microprocessor. It is the Philips 87LPC764, a new offering that combines fast speed, 8051 code compatibility, and low cost. We will refer to the new device as "QuizWiz".

The QuizWiz has several features that make the teacher's ability to score multiple-choice quizes fast and easy:

• allows immediate observation of scoring results after quiz is taken
• reduces scoring time to only 10-15 seconds per page, typical
• capable of scoring tests printed on standard 8-1/2 x 11 inch paper without pre-printed forms, using only a simple word-processing template instead
• does not require machine-assisted paper handling mechanisms
• handheld device, operates on three standard Alkaline AAA batteries
• low cost (~ $30 in parts cost), only 6" x 1.7" x 1.0" in size
• simple to learn, only two buttons to operate
• 8 character by 2 row LCD display to display status and results
• buzzer provides distinctive audio feedback
• automatic power shutdown, providing long life (estimated at >100 quizes)
• flexible quiz format, allowing multiple columns and/or pages
• temporary (memory) storage of results during power shutdowns
• provides totals, per-question, and per-quiz results
• up to 8 choices per question, 4 "columns" of questions, 32 questions per quiz
• provides a RS-232 serial connection for uploading results in real time to a PC, which allows tracking of which questions were missed per student
• battery monitoring feature that tells the user when batteries need to be replaced

Using three AAA batteries in series, with a typical capacity of 1000 mAHr, one can expect to be able to score approximately 100 quizes for a classroom of 30 students (i.e. 3000 scans). The 87LPC764 is a very good match for the required features, and all of its pins and most of its features are used in this project.

In order to allow QuizWiz to scan the quiz, a simple format is used whereby questions are arranged in columns (the usual method), with only 3 additional constraints:

1) a short "sync" marking at the top of each column to aid in establishing the scan rate,

2) a black, or darkened, area between each of the answer selections, and

3) a minimum amount of "whitespace" between each question to distinguish them.

To use the device a teacher simply places the QuizWiz on the paper and slides the device down along the checkboxes used for multiple-choice selection by the students. It scans the selections made and compares the results to the correct answers which are previously scanned into the device via a correctly filled-out "master quiz". After each quiz is scanned, the score is displayed as both the number of correct answers, and percentage.

Audio feedback is used to indicate progress. After each successful quiz scan, the teacher presses the SAVE button to keep the results, or simply re-scans if not.

At any time after a master quiz is scanned, the teacher can press the SCORES button to find out results for each question, as well as other information. Simply continue to press SCORES to advance to the results for the next question. Holding SCORES down for at least 1 second will reset the display to the beginning, which includes data on number of questions, number of quizes scanned, total average score, etc.

Pressing both the SCORES and SAVE buttons for more than 5 seconds will restart QuizWiz, erasing all results and directing the user that the next quiz scanned must be the master. Low-power shutdown mode is entered after 2 minutes of no keypress activity, and is returned to normal operation when the user presses both SCORES and SAVE.

For access to quiz scoring details in real time, as they are scanned, the user may connect a PC to the QuizWiz using a standard RS-232 serial port. The QuizWiz automatically detects the presence of the serial port connection.

SCHEMATIC