A useful and flexible test-making tool for small companies - Q-Master v.1.01 software - Two Quick and Flexible Test-Authoring Programs - Software Review - Evaluation

HR Magazine, Feb, 1998 by David Shair

REVIEW

Q-Master, Version 1.01

KLS Training Corp. 240 Portage Road P.O. Box 670 Lewiston, NY 14092 Phone: (800) 388-5348 Fax: (716) 754-4335 Tech Support: (905) 468-0068 E-mail: ksmith@natsoft.on.ca

Product use

Creating tests for a variety of purposes; includes feedback for test takers and administrative and reporting functions.

Equipment requirements

IBM PC or compatible with 486 or higher processor; 8 MB RAM; 8 MB free hard-disk space; VGA color monitor, with video card supporting 256 colors or higher; sound card recommended. Windows 3.X or Windows 95; DOS 4.0 or higher.

Release date

January 1998.

Installed base

None at time of review.

Pricing

$295, with 30-day, money-back guarantee. Each additional workstation license, $50.

Tests can serve many purposes in human resources other than screening of job applicants. HR pros need feedback to evaluate programs, such as a new seminar or an announcement of a benefits change. While hundreds of canned tests are available, it is often difficult to find the right one. But with Q-Master, from KLS Training Corp. of Lewiston, N.Y., you can prepare your own.

WHAT IT DOES

This software can generate customized multiple choice or true-false tests to fit a variety of needs. For example, if you convey information to employees, you'll want to find out if the message is being received and retained. You'll also need quick, basic-skills evaluations of entry-level job applicants as part of the screening and selection process. Using the software's multiple choice or true-false capabilities, you can structure a screening instrument or workforce survey to solicit employee opinions.

The program has two modules: the Administrator and Launch Pad. The Administrator is used to create or modify tests. Clicking on the "Add New Question" button allows you to enter the text of each question, the answer choices and the correct answer.

An "Add Feedback" button lets you decide whether or not the test will have on-screen feedback messages and whether they will follow the correct answers or incorrect ones. You can choose one of the preset messages or write your own, and a choice of preset sound effects is available.

After finishing the questions, you have several options for pacing and sequencing the test. You can either have the test taker press "Enter" to go to the next test question or set a specified interval between questions. Questions can be presented in sequence or selected at random. Or, you can allow the person to review answers before completing the test.

The Administrator module also allows you to review records of all persons who have taken a particular test or any individual's records for all tests taken. The individual and group records can be reviewed by specific questions as well. Bar charts provide comparison of individual scores to the group average.

Tests are saved with a title and a file name. An Archive/Rebuild feature creates an external backup of all data on each test created. The final step is loading the test into the Launch Pad module, which adds the test title to the list of those available to employees or applicants. In the Launch Pad, the user signs on and is directed to take any listed test, following preset directions.

A Welcome to Q-Master! looseleaf manual dearly shows and explains the program's screens and operating instructions. It also provides a Quick Start Tutorial, going step by step through creation, administration and review of the results of a simple test.

WHAT I LIKE

This is a basic, uncomplicated program without high-tech bells and whistles. There's no need for an extensive break-in period.

Q-Master makes good use of color to mark answers to the questions-a red bar for the user's selection and a green bar for the correct response. To help the test administrator scan results quickly, correct answers appear in black and incorrect ones in red.

Navigation through the screens is quick and (almost always) uneventful.

Online Help screens are supplemented by telephone or fax support, available during normal business hours. Technical support is also provided by e-mail.

The bar charts provide a good check on individual scores and progress and help to highlight structural test weaknesses.

WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED

The manual includes repeated references to the user as "the student." A revision should include the human resources professional in user references. And page numbers are needed in the tutorial section of an otherwise good manual.

Several of the program's suggestions for feedback are not a good fit for the workplace. Words like "should've" and "had've" do not improve the tone. Provision is made for users to edit and add to feedback, but more appropriate comments could be built into the program.

An on-screen warning is needed to help the unwary test creator avoid combining the feedback for either correct or incorrect answers with the test taker's option to review answers before final entry.

The following occasional glitches in the program can be readily cleaned up:

* Clicking on "Next" may take you completely out of the program, rather than to another screen or menu.