Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are method and apparatus for defining fields in a standardized test imaging system. In various embodiments, at least one page of a standardized exam is converted into a raster image. One or more bubble response fields are automatically identified on the raster image and a location of one or more bubble response fields is stored in a database. According to various embodiments, a portion of the raster image is defined that includes one or more bubble response fields. A size of the bubbles of the one or more bubble response fields is selected, and one or more bubbles of the size selected are automatically detected. A position of each bubble detected is determined and stored, according to various embodiments.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for electronic tracking and control of secure test documents. One aspect of the present subject matter is a method for management of a plurality of test documents. In one embodiment, precode data for a test-taker population is associated with secure document data for the plurality of test documents. The plurality of test documents is distributed to a test-taking center for administration to a plurality of test-takers. The plurality of test documents is received from the test-taking center after administration to the plurality of test-takers. The received plurality of test documents is verified against the distributed plurality of test documents and the precode data to account for the distributed plurality of test documents. The received plurality of test documents is processed to determine test results. The test results are reported. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are method and apparatus for managing priority in a standardized test and survey imaging system. In various embodiments, a batch code is associated with a batch of documents, and a material code and a return-type code are associated with each document of the batch. A prioritization strength is automatically assigned to each document based on the material code and the return-type code, and a prioritization strength is automatically assigned to the batch as a function of the prioritization strengths of the documents in the batch. The batch is processed using a computer as a function of the prioritization strength of the batch.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, is an imaging system for processing educational assessments. According to one embodiment of the present subject matter, educational assessments are received in a paper format and processed from the paper format to an electronic format. A navigation console is provided and adapted to provide a portal and a login interface to a user. Educational assessment documents are scanned and images are generated. The images are passed through applications to derive data from the images, and the data is transferred to peripheral systems, according to various embodiments.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are method and apparatus for verifying answer document images. According to one embodiment of a method, data collected from a scanned image of an answer document is received, the data including an indication of whether a bubble on the answer document is marked. Responses are automatically identified to have a first review, including sorting the collected data using one or more predetermined criteria. The responses are automatically forwarded to a first editor to conduct the first review, the first review including a data entry. If the data entry of the first editor varies with the indication for a particular response, the particular response is automatically forwarded to a second editor to conduct a second review, where the first editor is different from the second editor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, is an imaging system for processing educational assessments. According to one embodiment of the present subject matter, educational assessments are received in a paper format and processed from the paper format to an electronic format. A navigation console is provided and adapted to provide a portal and a login interface to a user. Educational assessment documents are scanned and images are generated. The images are passed through applications to derive data from the images, and the data is transferred to peripheral systems, according to various embodiments.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are method and apparatus for calibrating imaging equipment. According to one embodiment of a method, a calibration deck of timing sheets is prepared. The calibration deck includes a sheet with a series of reference marks that help determine the amount of skew, a sheet with objective scoring bubbles that are all filled in with black ink, a grey scale bubble sheet having a predetermined number of shades between black and white, and a sheet with objective scoring bubbles that are all unfilled, or white. The timing sheets are scanned on a scanner, and results from scanning the calibration deck are compared to an industry standard baseline.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improved processing of forms using color. One aspect is a method for processing a plurality of test answer sheets in a standardized test system. In various embodiments, each of the plurality of completed test answer sheets is recorded. The completed test answer sheet is scanned, an identifier for the completed test answer sheet is determined, and three or more colors are electronically recorded to form a multicolor image on a computer readable medium. The multicolor image is representative of the scanned completed test answer sheet. The multicolor image is associated with the identifier in a database. Each of the plurality of completed test answer sheets is scored. Scoring the test answer sheets includes digitally modifying at least one color in the multicolor image at an image use point to assist with scoring the completed test answer sheets. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for prioritizing the processing of standardized tests. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a method for processing completed standardized tests. In one embodiment, test-processing priority information is received, and is associated with machine-readable identifiers for standardized tests. Completed standardized tests are received, and are identified by reading machine-readable identifiers. The identified standardized tests are processed according to the associated test-processing priority information such that higher priority tests are automatically processed before lower priority tests. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a system for generating documents for testing and surveys. The system in various embodiments provides for generating and managing an electronic item bank The system provides for generation, administration, analyses, and processing of tests and surveys formed from items in the item bank Wherein an item includes information stored in a data structure to serve as a common source for the information for that particular item.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for pen based data entry and storage are provided. In one approach a digital pen capable of electronically storing several written responses is used to record responses to forms, surveys, polls, or tests. In one approach a tablet PC capable of electronically storing several written responses and other responses is used to record responses to forms, surveys, polls, or tests. Various data processing and storage techniques are provided. Various data communications are provided. Various item types are provided for a number of different user responses.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for prioritizing the processing of standardized tests. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a method for processing completed standardized tests. In one embodiment, test-processing priority information is received, and is associated with machine-readable identifiers for standardized tests. Completed standardized tests are received, and are identified by reading machine-readable identifiers. The identified standardized tests are processed according to the associated test-processing priority information such that higher priority tests are automatically processed before lower priority tests. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for prioritizing the processing of standardized tests. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a method for processing completed standardized tests. In one embodiment, test-processing priority information is received, and is associated with machine-readable identifiers for standardized tests. Completed standardized tests are received, and are identified by reading machine-readable identifiers. The identified standardized tests are processed according to the associated test-processing priority information such that higher priority tests are automatically processed before lower priority tests. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for prioritizing the processing of standardized tests. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a method for processing completed standardized tests. In one embodiment, test-processing priority information is received, and is associated with machine-readable identifiers for standardized tests. Completed standardized tests are received, and are identified by reading machine-readable identifiers. The identified standardized tests are processed according to the associated test-processing priority information such that higher priority tests are automatically processed before lower priority tests. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for prioritizing the processing of standardized tests. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a method for processing completed standardized tests. In one embodiment, test-processing priority information is received, and is associated with machine-readable identifiers for standardized tests. Completed standardized tests are received, and are identified by reading machine-readable identifiers. The identified standardized tests are processed according to the associated test-processing priority information such that higher priority tests are automatically processed before lower priority tests. Other aspects are provided herein.