STUDENTS' PERCEPTION OF THE COMPUTER BASED TEST (CBT) FOR EXAMINING GENERAL STUDIES IN UNIVERSITY OF JOS, (2015 – 2018)

In recent years, the Computer Based Test (CBT) has been considered as a viable alternative to the unmanageable undergraduate population of students in Nigerian universities. This is in spite of the peculiar nature of some courses that hinders its total implementation. This study investigates the students' perception of Computer Based Test (CBT) for General Studies (GST) courses in the University of Jos, Nigeria. Using the diffusion of innovation theory as basis for scholarly argument, this study examined the potential for using student feedback in the validation of assessment. A manageable sample of 485 students who cut across all levels (100 to 400) in university of Jos, who had taken the CBT/GST examination was surveyed; and questionnaire was used for data collection. The result also showed that, the environment provided by the system, receiving results automatically using the CBT system, threat felt when taking GST/CBT examination compared to the paperbased, as well as the positive experience it offers are important design considerations for the GST/CBT examinations. Students therefore requested early orientations before the examinations and if possible such orientations should be made part of the GST lecture series itself. Also, since the GST/CBT assessment mode has been used for some years in the university, students feel the urge to have GST/CBT guide or manual to enable them read ahead of time. The document will enable to identify grey areas and that need to be addressed during the orientation exercise.