Normal caesura

Description

The caesura for a test indicates the number of points by which the candidate has passed the test. The caesura can be set at various moments of test development, including when setting up a blueprint. Setting up a blueprint and the accompanying caesura is often done prior to creating questions.

An assessment scale can be set up when creating a new blueprint, or edited after the blueprint has been created. Editing settings can be done by clicking on a blueprint and then navigating to the 'Settings' tab.

Two different methods of caesura are available: a normal caesura and a composite caesura. A composite caesura is used to give a test certain feedback rules. This allows you to specify which questions will be included in each section. When this type is used, different settings are available than with a normal caesura. For this, see the article: Composite caesura.

Set rounding

The caesura can be rounded in different ways. This can be important when the score calculation needs to be rounded. The following rounding rules can be set:

Normal rounding rules

Normal rounding rules mean that regardless of the caesura point, the score is rounded in a normal way. This means that a candidate who scores a 5.48 at the caesura point at 5.5 will score a 5.5. A candidate scoring 8.64 will achieve an 8.6 and a candidate scoring 8.68 will achieve an 8.7.

Normal rounding rules, round down to the caesura point

This option means that the normal rounding rules are generally used except at the caesura point. At the caesura point, the score is rounded down. This means that if you have the caesura point at a 5.5, a candidate who scores a 5.49 has failed the test and scores a 5.4. A candidate who scores an 8.64 will achieve an 8.6 and a candidate who scores an 8.68 will achieve an 8.7.

Round all scores down

When set to round down all scores, it means that regardless of the caesura point, the score is calculated. A candidate who scores a 5.49 at the caesura point on a 5.5 will achieve a 5.4 rounded down. A candidate scoring 8.68 will achieve an 8.6, just as a candidate scoring 8.64 would achieve an 8.6.

Round up all scores

When set to round up all scores, it means that regardless of the caesura point, the score is calculated. A candidate who scores a 5.49 at the caesura point will achieve a 5.5 rounded up. A candidate who scores an 8.68 will achieve an 8.7, just as a candidate who scores an 8.64 will achieve an 8.7.

Setting the score distribution

When setting the score distribution, the type of score is relevant. This can be set to Grade, Percentage or Points.

Above is an example of a score distribution. By adding points on the graph, it is possible to set up the score distribution as you wish. These points can be dragged manually or by entering it above the graph. With the scoring range in the example, candidates get 30% of the points if they have answered a quarter of the questions correctly. If they get 50% correct 45% of the points are awarded and if they get 75% correct it becomes 65%. 100% of the answers correct always equals 100% of the points.

If a new point is added, an extra field will appear above the graph where the specific values are indicated. Two new fields for each point will also appear below the graph (see the image below). Give the score area a name there and, if desired, feedback when a candidate is in that score area after completing the (practice) test.

The caesura point indicated with these options is the limit for whether or not to award a pass. In this case, 50 per cent of the answers must be correct to achieve a pass. The different score areas additionally have feedback that states in which score area the candidate falls.

Disclaimer: This text was automatically translated from the Dutch version.