Test Preparation Research Articles

Development of a Cancer Pathway Support Guide for Patients and Carers: A Codesign Project

Background. Cancer diagnosis is a complex and multifaceted process that can be stressful and anxiety-provoking for patients. Evidence-based tools and information aids that can be used for guiding and supporting patients during cancer investigations and after diagnosis are limited. This paper presents a user-centred codesign project that aims to develop a cancer pathway support tool for patients, carers, and healthcare professionals. Method. A mixed-method codesign approach was used including prototype development (January–March 2022), three online codesign workshops (April–June 2022), one-to-one feedback, and beta testing informed by the standardised Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) questionnaire (July–October 2022). Nine individuals with lived experience of cancer contributed to the project and are referred to as codesigners. Results. The codesigners valued the potential importance of a tool that can be used by the patients and carers if they want specific information about cancer investigations, diagnosis, and treatment. The ability to select what they need as opposed to long leaflets and generating their own questions for the healthcare providers were highlighted as important aspects of improving patient care. The tool was collectively designed to provide clear definitions of the cancer care pathway and easily accessible links from trusted resources and includes practical information to minimise the burden that can be experienced from preparation for appointments and tests. Beta testing results with a small sample of potential users including patients, carers, and healthcare providers (n = 23) showed high acceptability of the guide (range = 7–35, mean = 28.52, and standard deviation = 3.88) based on the TFA questionnaire. Conclusion. A cancer pathway support tool called “Your Cancer Pathway Support Guide (YCPSG)” was developed as a result of an iterative codesign process aiming to improve patient experience and outcomes for people referred on a suspected cancer pathway or who have been diagnosed with cancer. The tool provides information and support in both digital and PDF formats. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential impact of “Your Cancer Pathway Support Guide” on patient outcomes and experience and the wider system.

Exam evaluation in prosthodontics across preclinical and clinical years from students' perspective: A cross-sectional study.

The purpose of this study was to explore the students' perceptions and performance in prosthodontics theory exam. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 560 (80.82%) students of different levels (third, fourth and fifth years) to explore their opinions and performance with regard to a number of issues on a prosthodontics theory exam (exam evaluation, exam preparation, exam material, exam timing). Demographic data were also collected. Descriptive statistics were generated and Chi-square test, independent sample t-test, ANOVA test and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to examine the associations between different variables. The significance level was set at p < .05. Students' responses regarding exam evaluation was influenced by their gender, study level, high-school Grade Point Average (GPA) and undergraduate cumulative GPA. Perceived exam difficulty was significantly affected by gender (p = .03) and study level (p < .001), and negatively correlated to both high-school GPA (p < .001) and university GPA (p = .03). The vast majority (88.2%) depended on lecture hand-outs and lecture notes for study. Exam material and preparation were not significantly affected by any of the demographic variables with most respondents (76.8%) thinking that the lectures blended with prosthodontics laboratories/clinics would improve their understanding of the exam material. The suggested best time to conduct the exam was early afternoon (31.6%). Student performance was significantly affected by the study level (p < .001) and cumulative GPA (p < .001) with significant positive correlation between the high-school GPA and the mark in the exam (r = .29, p < .001) and by the amount of time students spent for exam preparation (p < .001). Those students who reported using textbooks to prepare for the exam got significantly higher marks (66.1 ± 8.7) compared to the students who did not (62.8 ± 9.7) (p = .03). Course level, GPA and gender were identified as the most influential factors in different aspects of exam evaluation and students' performance. Regular study and use of textbooks were demonstrated to improve academic performance. Additional orientation and guidance relating to the exam (especially for third year students) would be welcomed, as would alternate teaching methods such as small group discussions or study groups.

Factors Affecting Computer System Maintenance Skills Improvement of Information Technology Students

The purpose of this study was to identify the variables that may influence how well students at particular Chinese computer schools are able to maintain their computer systems. It also looked into the types of technology-related leadership behaviors program administrators demonstrated how those behaviors affected and possibly even predicted the various ways that technology was used in schools. Based on the findings, it was determined that the factors that can affect the improvement of information technology students' skills in computer system maintenance were not significantly influenced by time management, test preparation, or reading in terms of sex, monthly family income, or academic performance.

EVERSYS: Efficient exam versioning tool for linear circuits and other problem‐based subjects

AbstractExam versioning is a widely used approach to prevent cheating during exams, but it can increase the workload for lecturers in terms of exam preparation and correction. Automated exam versioning can help reduce this workload and minimize errors in correction. This article presents the EVERSYS platform, which is focused on linear circuits but can be applied to other engineering fields. An exam problem is described as a circuit schema, a set of component values, and a set of questions to be answered. The EVERSYS platform allows lecturers to easily create exam versions with high variability, including different schemas, component values, and question sets. The platform is based on the MATLAB/Octave programming language and HTML document descriptions. Creating a multiversion exam is straightforward, involving the adaptation of a set of predefined MATLAB scripts and modification of the HTML format if necessary. A set of example exams is provided as well as the complete platform source code. The platform was tested during a 2021–2022 compulsory course on linear circuits at a Spanish University. The results indicated that the platform significantly reduced the time required for exam preparation and correction, and there was no statistically significant difference in student performance across different exam versions. Students reported high levels of satisfaction with the platform, and almost all agreed that it effectively prevents cheating during exams.

Enhancing Document Image Retrieval in Education: Leveraging Ensemble-Based Document Image Retrieval Systems for Improved Precision

Document image retrieval (DIR) systems simplify access to digital data within printed documents by capturing images. These systems act as bridges between print and digital realms, with demand in organizations handling both formats. In education, students use DIR to access online materials, clarify topics, and find solutions in printed textbooks by photographing content with their phones. DIR excels in handling complex figures and formulas. We propose using ensembles of DIR systems instead of single-feature models to enhance DIR’s efficacy. We introduce “Vote-Based DIR” and “The Strong Decision-Based DIR”. These ensembles combine various techniques, like optical code reading, spatial analysis, and image features, improving document retrieval. Our study, using a dataset of university exam preparation materials, shows that ensemble DIR systems outperform individual ones, promising better accuracy and efficiency in digitizing printed content, which is especially beneficial in education.

Ekspertinių sistemų kūrimo įrankio/platformos projektavimas

The article analyzes the company's need to create a prototype for the development of expert systems. Expert systems and tools for their creation were examined, functions and software for the creation of an expert system that met the needs of the company were determined. The expert system design and programming processes, system performance testing and system documentation preparation, installation of the system on the server are described. Keywords: expert systems, expert systems development tools, design.

Peningkatan Kapasitas Guru Biologi Madrasah Aliyah dalam Menyusun Tes Berbasis &lt;i&gt;Higher-Order Thinking Skills&lt;/i&gt; (HOTS) Di kabupaten Lombok Tengah

Increasing the Capacity of Madrasah Aliyah Biology Teachers in Developing Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Based Tests is carried out to increase the capacity of biology teachers and provide knowledge on aspects related to HOTS and its measurement aspects and train teachers, especially at the Madrasah Aliyah and High School levels. to be skilled at preparing HOTS-based questions. The method for implementing service activities is in the form of a workshop held at State High School (SMAN) 2, Jonggat District, Central Lombok Regency, which was attended by 25 biology teacher participants, who came from 12 State Madrasah Aliyah. The methods and techniques of service carried out in this activity through six (6) stages are: socialization, Focus Group Discussion (FGD, conducting a higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) based test preparation workshop for 25 Madrasah Aliyah biology teachers, Central Lombok Regency, conducting assistance in testing HOTS test questions developed in each madrasah, conducting workshops analyzing the results of testing HOTS test questions and making decisions, evaluating and reflecting on the implementation of workshop activities and mentoring. From the results of observations of workshop participants and documents that have been used to carry out assessments among students, it was identified that they were still measuring students' abilities on the LOTS (low order thinking skill) dimension, namely level C1 (knowing), level C2 (understanding), and level C3 (applying). Besides that, the use of KKO (operational verb) was generally still leaning at a low level.

X-ray beam test of fabricated photo-diodes for Pohang-Accelerator-Laboratory X-ray free-electron laser

The Pohang-Accelerator-Laboratory X-ray free-electron laser (PAL-XFEL) emits intense, ultra-short X-ray pulses, enabling studies on ultra-small and -fast dynamics in various fields. We designed and fabricated silicon p-intrinsic-n photo-diodes (PDs) to detect strong X-ray pulses. Four types of PDs were fabricated with different metal shapes on the P- and N-sides. The fabrication process was split into two parts, based on the thickness of the Al metal and anti-reflective coating (ARC) layers, to evaluate the fabrication process feasibility and the detection performance. A beam test was performed with X-ray pulses at the soft X-ray beamline of the PAL-XFEL using the proposed PDs and a commercial PD. The test was designed to evaluate the effects of the metal and ARC layers and compare the detection efficiency depending on the X-ray entrance side and signal readout side. The waveforms were saved during the test and integrated to obtain the charges. Thereafter, they were analyzed and normalized, and compared. This paper presents the preparation, setup, and procedure of the beam test, and the test results are described.

High- and low-achieving international medical students’ perceptions of the factors influencing their academic performance at Chinese universities

ABSTRACT China has become an attractive destination for international medical students, particularly those from developing countries in Asia and Africa. These students are known to face difficulties in adapting to Chinese medical universities and they tend to score poorly on subsequent examinations to enter the medical profession in their home or in a third country. To date, limited research concerning the factors that affect the academic performance of this group of students in China has been conducted. In particular, there have been very few comparisons between high and low achievers to identify the factors that high- and low-achieving international medical students in all years of study perceive as affecting their academic performance. A qualitative research approach was implemented at two medical universities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 high achievers and 22 low achievers in their second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and post-graduation years. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded using a thematic analysis approach.A few key overlapping factors were identified: social support, learning motivation and interest, exam preparation and strategies, time management, and coping. The high achievers manipulated these strategies successfully while the low achievers did not. The high achievers demonstrated efficient learning methods (efficient use of class time, good note-taking habits, preview and review strategies, expanded learning, self-study and group learning, deep learning, choosing an appropriate study location, and focusing on basics and concepts). They also achieved a good balance between studying and leisure. The low achievers mentioned learning challenges, health issues, English language barriers, and problems with online classes. This study allowed us to identify important factors that international medical students at Chinese institutions perceive to influence their performance. The findings contribute to the literature on the topic and provide a solid basis for practice and policy development.

Examining recovery experiences as a mediator between physical activity and study-related stress and well-being during prolonged exam preparation at university.

Prolonged study periods such as preparing for comprehensive exams pose a significant source of chronic stress for university students. According to the Conservation of Resources Theory, the replenishment of resources during leisure time is essential to a successful stress recovery process. This study examined the role of recovery experiences as a mediator of the relationship between physical activity as one specific recovery activity and both study-related stress and well-being. We applied a longitudinal design and approached students on three measurement occasions over seven months. The sample consisted of N = 56 advanced law students enrolled at one large German university who were all in their exam preparation to take their final exams. Students gave self-reports on their respective levels of physical activity (predictor), and recovery experiences (mediator), as well as on their study-related stress and well-being (outcomes). Results showed a negative trend in recovery-related variables and the outcomes as exam preparation progressed. There were mostly small correlations between physical activity and both stress and well-being at each measurement occasion. Recovery experiences partially mediated the relationship between physical activity and the outcomes on some measurement occasions. Our results suggest that the positive effects of recovery experiences related to physical activity become more sustained as exam preparation progresses and have a particularly positive impact on well-being. Future research can build on these findings by further examining recovery as an important means to help students better cope with long-lasting and stressful study periods.

Journey of Success: Exploring Strategies and Resilience among Successful Criminologist

The study examined the strategies and resilience of successful criminologists during board examination preparation, focusing on nine purposively selected participants from Misamis Occidental. Utilizing an interview guide for data collection, the study found that participants emphasized the importance of emotional support, mentorship, and effective study techniques in overcoming the challenges of exam preparation. Their experiences underscored the significance of family, mentors, and peers in providing both academic guidance and emotional encouragement. The study's findings suggest the importance of comprehensive support systems in educational institutions to assist students in managing exam stress and achieving their academic goals in criminology. The findings revealed the demand for self-discipline, disciplined schedules, and intrinsic drive to attain academic success, with participants dedicating substantial hours to structured study routines and emphasizing the role of intrinsic motivation in maintaining focus and resilience. Overcoming barriers and enhancing exam preparation required a multifaceted approach, which included incorporating review center materials with personal notes to reinforce foundational knowledge, receiving emotional support from mentors and family to combat self-doubt and stress, and employing efficient study techniques such as peer collaboration and time management to optimize learning and performance. The study concluded that a thorough exam preparation strategy is strongly influenced by effective time management and self-discipline, intrinsic motivation, integrating review materials with personal notes, emotional resilience, mentorship, and peer collaboration, all of which lead to academic achievement. To help students prepare for exams, educational institutions should create customized study schedules, improve discipline, incorporate organized materials, and offer extensive support systems.

Retake Opportunities, Pass Probabilities, and Preparation for Exams

Retake Opportunities, Pass Probabilities, and Preparation for Exams

Nodes of Experimental Installations for Testing Concrete for Creep

Installations of the mid-twentieth century for testing concrete for creep, as a rule, have significant wear and are not intended for testing new concrete. To carry out testing of modern highstrength concrete, their modernization and retrofitting is required. Due to the lack of standard technical solutions, design and survey work is required in preparation for testing. The purpose of the presented study was to study the nodes and elements of spring installations for determining the creep of concrete and to establish the possibility of their use under increased loads, to modernize installations for the possibility of testing samples of various lengths without complete disassembly, to ensure safety during such tests. To determine the strength and stiffness parameters of the springs, it was necessary to conduct two-stage tests with the development of special equipment. Also, according to the results of the evaluation of the hinge assemblies for axial load transfer to the sample, their replacement with a change in design solutions was required. According to the results of experimental studies, individual springs and thrust hinge elements were fragilely destroyed, in connection with which a hinge assembly of a new design was developed, changes have been made to the design of the installation to ensure the physical protection of maintenance personnel, a modular system of steel spacers with protection against horizontal movement has been developed, which makes it possible to test samples of different lengths on existing installations without changing the configuration of the installations themselves. An important result of the work is the proposed system of double experimental control, when first a random test of individual elements is carried out to assess the possible level of loads on the equipment, then a continuous control of the already assembled test installations is carried out for large loads relative to the planned experiment. Only in this case it is possible to simultaneously ensure high reliability of the results obtained during testing, reliability and durability of the equipment. Moreover, it is impossible to carry out such work only numerically without testing, as practice has shown.

Virtual Tutor, Digital Natives and AI: Analyzing the impact of ChatGPT on academia in Indonesia

One of the chatbots of AI is ChatGPT which is emerging in academia for classwork, enhancing knowledge, and promoting the concept of learning through machine learning, which requires human intelligence. This study employed sequential explanatory design and conducted multiple in-depth interviews from two public universities of Indonesia to analyze the perception of students, teachers, and staff regarding the usage of ChatGPT. The study concludes that ChatGPT has substantial promise in revolutionizing higher education by offering an array of invaluable contributions. Teachers and students use it for different purposes, including research, exam preparation, and knowing future predictions about certain issues. The adaptation of ChatGPT generates personalized as well as tailored learning styles, which may generate explanations and create preferences for material and diverse information. On one hand, the usage of ChatGPT is considered either cheating or plagiarism while on the other hand, it is gained importance with regard to higher education and learning perspectives. The study also recommends that the Higher Education Commission (Dikti) needs to introduce the principles and regulations for AI usage in universities.

Performance of ChatGPT on Stage 1 of the Taiwanese medical licensing exam.

Since its release by OpenAI in November 2022, numerous studies have subjected ChatGPT to various tests to evaluate its performance in medical exams. The objective of this study is to evaluate ChatGPT's accuracy and logical reasoning across all 10 subjects featured in Stage 1 of Senior Professional and Technical Examinations for Medical Doctors (SPTEMD) in Taiwan, with questions that encompass both Chinese and English. In this study, we tested ChatGPT-4 to complete SPTEMD Stage 1. The model was presented with multiple-choice questions extracted from three separate tests conducted in February 2022, July 2022, and February 2023. These questions encompass 10 subjects, namely biochemistry and molecular biology, anatomy, embryology and developmental biology, histology, physiology, microbiology and immunology, parasitology, pharmacology, pathology, and public health. Subsequently, we analyzed the model's accuracy for each subject. In all three tests, ChatGPT achieved scores surpassing the 60% passing threshold, resulting in an overall average score of 87.8%. Notably, its best performance was in biochemistry, where it garnered an average score of 93.8%. Conversely, the performance of the generative pre-trained transformer (GPT)-4 assistant on anatomy, parasitology, and embryology was not as good. In addition, its scores were highly variable in embryology and parasitology. ChatGPT has the potential to facilitate not only exam preparation but also improve the accessibility of medical education and support continuous education for medical professionals. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated ChatGPT's potential competence across various subjects within the SPTEMD Stage 1 and suggests that it could be a helpful tool for learning and exam preparation for medical students and professionals.

Academic Resilience Among Post Graduate Students in the Universities of Islamabad: A Comprehensive Assessment

Introduction: Mathematics plays a crucial role in the development of science and technology, and its importance is recognized at all educational levels. This study investigates the availability and utilization of mathematics facilities for the improvement and development of prospective teachers. Methodology: This quantitative study targeted students from four universities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. A questionnaire was distributed to 300 respondents, with 175 completed responses collected through proportionate random sampling. The questionnaire was validated by experts and its reliability confirmed using Cronbach’s Alpha. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results/Findings: The findings revealed that most respondents strongly agreed that mathematical content knowledge significantly impacts the learning and understanding of prospective teachers. Additionally, the study highlighted the importance of practice in learning mathematics and emphasized the need for curriculum-based instruction that extends beyond exam preparation. Future Direction: The study recommends developing a framework to address identified challenges, enhance mathematical content, improve pedagogical approaches, and ensure the availability of up-to-date facilities for prospective teachers.

Performance of ChatGPT incorporated chain-of-thought method in bilingual nuclear medicine physician board examinations.

This research explores the performance of ChatGPT, compared to human doctors, in bilingual, Mandarin Chinese and English, medical specialty exam in Nuclear Medicine in Taiwan. The study employed generative pre-trained transformer (GPT-4) and integrated chain-of-thoughts (COT) method to enhance performance by triggering and explaining the thinking process to answer the question in a coherent and logical manner. Questions from the Taiwanese Nuclear Medicine Specialty Exam served as the basis for testing. The research analyzed the correctness of AI responses in different sections of the exam and explored the influence of question length and language proportion on accuracy. AI, especially ChatGPT with COT, exhibited exceptional capabilities in theoretical knowledge, clinical medicine, and handling integrated questions, often surpassing, or matching human doctor performance. However, AI struggled with questions related to medical regulations. The analysis of question length showed that questions within the 109-163 words range yielded the highest accuracy. Moreover, an increase in the proportion of English words in questions improved both AI and human accuracy. This research highlights the potential and challenges of AI in the medical field. ChatGPT demonstrates significant competence in various aspects of medical knowledge. However, areas like medical regulations require improvement. The study also suggests that AI may help in evaluating exam question difficulty and maintaining fairness in examinations. These findings shed light on AI role in the medical field, with potential applications in healthcare education, exam preparation, and multilingual environments. Ongoing AI advancements are expected to further enhance AI utility in the medical domain.

A STUDY TO INVESTIGATE THE CHALLENGES OF PROSPECTIVE TEACHER OF MATHEMATICS FACILITIES AT UNIVERSITY LEVEL(GRADUATE)

Introduction: Mathematics plays a crucial role in the development of science and technology, and its importance is recognized across all levels of education. This study aims to identify the challenges related to the availability and utilization of mathematics facilities for the improvement and development of prospective teachers. Methodology: The study employed a quantitative approach. The population consisted of students from four universities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. A questionnaire was distributed to 300 respondents, with 175 valid responses collected through proportionate random sampling. The questionnaire was validated by experts, and its reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s Alpha. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Results/Findings: The findings indicated that most respondents agreed that mathematical content knowledge significantly impacts the learning and understanding of prospective teachers. Additionally, the participants strongly agreed that practical exercises play a vital role in learning mathematics, and there is a need for curriculum-based instruction that goes beyond exam preparation. Future Direction: The study recommends developing a framework to address identified challenges, enhance mathematical content, improve pedagogical approaches, and ensure the availability of up-to-date facilities for prospective teachers.

Enhancing Academic Success: An Exploration of Study Skills and Student Well-being

This peer-reviewed journal article delves into the multifaceted realm of study skills and their integral relationship with student well-being in achieving academic success. Drawing upon insights from various scholarly sources, including Susan Ambrose, John Bransford, Tom Burns, and Sandra Sinfield, the article navigates through essential study skill components such as motivation, note-taking, time management, concentration, memory retention, exam preparation, exam writing, and reading skills. Each section dissects key strategies and methodologies to bolster academic proficiency and foster a conducive learning environment. Furthermore, the article underscores the importance of student well-being, addressing physical, emotional, and mental aspects essential for sustaining academic excellence. By integrating practical study skills with holistic approaches to student well-being, this article offers comprehensive insights and actionable recommendations to empower students in their educational journey toward success.

The framing of information nudge and students effort: A behavioral economics approach

One of the important fields for achieving the goals of the higher education system is to use new methods to influence students' motivation. Therefore, the main goal of this study is to investigate the impact of the framing of information nudge on students' efforts using the behavioral economics approach, taking into account the theories of social psychology. To investigate this goal, a 2*2*2 factorial model including; two levels of framing effect (positive or negative), two levels of regulatory focus (promotion or prevention) and two levels of test difficulty (difficult or easy) were considered. The independent variables of this study are the negative frame, the promotion focus and the difficulty of the test and the dependent variable is the anticipated effort in a hypothetical exam. The random sampling of this research included 400 students of Ilam and Allameh Tabatabai University. The results of the estimation of the ordinary least squares model showed that the promotion focus frame increases students' effort compared to the prevention focus frame. The negative frame increases student effort relative to the positive frame, but without controlling for regulatory focus, it has no independent effect on student effort. The results of the estimation of interaction variables also showed that the variable of negative frame * promotion focus has a negative and significant coefficient. This result shows that the joint condition of negative frame and promotion focus increases students' effort less than negative frame and prevention focus. In other words, the negative frame increases students' effort both in the promotion focus and in the prevention focus, but the effect of the negative frame is greater in the prevention focus. It also confirms that students experience regulatory fit under the common conditions of prevention focus and negative frame, but regulatory fit is not confirmed under the common conditions of promotion focus and positive frame. In order to strengthen students' motivation and performance, policy makers and planners in higher education can use behavioral economics tools such as framing of information nudge appropriate to subjects such as exam preparation, education plan, choosing a field at higher levels of education, etc.