Questionmark Perception Release Makes Searching Large Item Banks a Snap

Business Wire, Dec 1, 2005

STAMFORD, Conn. -- New enhancements to the Questionmark Perception assessment management system dramatically reduce the time it takes trainers and educators to search for questions stored in large item banks. A new 'question search' capability is just one of several improvements Questionmark announced today with the latest release of Questionmark Perception.

"Many Perception users manage item banks that contain literally thousands of questions," explained Eric Shepherd, president of Questionmark. "Although Perception already contained many ways to store and categorize questions, the sheer quantity of questions contained in some databases could still make finding the right question like looking for a needle in a haystack."

"Much like Google's toolbar enables you to search for content on the web or your desktop, Perception's new search feature makes it possible to enter a simple search word or phrase to quickly locate the questions you're looking for," added Shepherd.

A few of the enhancements found in the latest release of Questionmark Perception include:

--Question search toolbar - authors using Authoring Manager may now use a toolbar to rapidly search item banks. The utility enables an author to enter a word or phrase to locate question stimuli, choices, feedback, meta-tags, descriptions, topic names or author names. Authors can even search for certain question types, or search by delivery status.

--Enhanced interoperability with Learning Management Systems using SCORM or AICC standards.

--Broader options for creating and deploying multiple response and essay questions

--Numerous technical improvements that enhance usability, reliability and system performance.

Questionmark Perception Version 4, which was released in the spring of 2005, provides trainers and educators a comprehensive array of assessment management features including workflow management, distributed authoring, drag-and-drop publishing, easy-to-use question and assessment authoring, and powerful content management capabilities that make it easier to organize, store and secure assessment content.

To find out more about Questionmark Perception, go to: www.questionmark.com/perception

About Questionmark

Questionmark has been producing testing and assessment software since 1988. The Questionmark Perception assessment management system allows people to create question files without programming experience or knowledge of HTML. Users can create multiple question banks from which to assemble tests and surveys, organizing questions into topics and sub-topics. They can shuffle questions and answers for each participant and preview sessions to see how they will appear post-deployment. They can present questions with videos, graphics and a wide variety of styles. Participants receive feedback as specified by the test author. Answers are saved to a file for scoring and analysis in a variety of report formats.

Businesses, governments, schools, colleges, and universities in more than 50 countries use Questionmark software. Questionmark has more than 2,200 customers using Perception and is a keen supporter of open standards. Typical applications include exams, quizzes, study aids, diagnostic tests, pre-course skills assessments, and course evaluations. Questionmark offers training courses and extensive learning materials designed to improve assessment authoring and management.

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