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On Demand Testing

English - Levels 2 to 6 of the Victorian Essential Learning Standards

This section provides a comprehensive overview of Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority On Demand Testing. It includes information on when to use On Demand Testing, the types of tests available, its advantages, how to register and the support available to schools. The tests take between 15 and 30 minutes for students to complete and are available to all Victorian government schools via their CASES server free of charge.

Resources for teachers

A bank of tests that relate to the Victorian Essential Learning Standards have been constructed by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) and are available to download free of charge.

On Demand testing information - This VCAA web page has a range of On Demand support documents including Interpreting On Demand Reports, On Demand Sample Reports and the  On Demand Testing Teacher Training Guide.

Types of assessment

Assessment is delivered in the following formats:

  • multiple choice
  • type in short answer
  • hot spot or word spot
  • drag and drop
  • open text response.
  1. Teachers are able to view and analyse results through six different reports:
  2. Student Raw Score by Question Standard Level
  3. Class Raw Score by Question Standard Level
  4. Student Percentage Correct by Question Standard Level
  5. Student Percentage Correct by Key Area
  6. Student Skill Report
  7. Class Skill Report
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Types of On Demand tests

There are two types of On Demand tests available: adaptive and linear.

Adaptive

Adaptive tests deliver sets of questions to students according to their ability. The system automatically presents easier or more difficult questions to each student based on their response to previous questions. These tests determine a students performance quickly and accurately.

Linear

Linear tests provide students with a set of questions in a variety of formats. Responses are saved and scored by the computer.

Who takes the tests?

Tests can be administered to individuals or groups of students. There is a selection of assessments at VELS levels 2-6 in English. The Computer Adaptive Tests are available in English for Reading, Writing Conventions and Spelling.

Using On Demand Testing

To assist teachers with a variety of assessment needs On Demand tests can be used for:

  • pre-testing students' knowledge prior to beginning a topic
  • applying the same test to post-test a topic
  • testing new intake students
  • identifying strengths and weaknesses in individual students
  • confirming teacher judgements
  • assisting in the planning of student programs.

Advantages of On Demand Testing

On Demand tests have been designed to meet the outcomes of the VELS. Both general skills tests and topic-specific assessments are available.

This resource provides access to a range of computer-based assessments that are easy to conduct with individual students or groups of students. Tests are available across a range of levels and include assessment tasks that can be marked by the computer, providing instant reports.

There are sufficient test items to include different questions on multiple occasions for adaptive tests. All questions have been through an extensive quality assurance process and are linked to the English domain. The tests may be completed by hand or online. Students are not disadvantaged by using either method. The tests offer feedback in the form of class and individual student reports. Student progress is monitored over time and is provided for both individual students and groups of students.

Support for schools

The following resources are available to schools and teachers using the On Demand Testing system:

  • a comprehensive user manual
  • a user friendly online 'help' program
  • telephone and email support.

The VCAA Assessment Online Helpdesk can be contacted on:

Telephone: 1800 827 721

Email: vcaa.ondemand.support@edumail.vic.gov.au

How to register for On Demand Testing

To access On Demand Testing you will need to register via the VCAA's On Demand online registration page 

Schools will need to provide their VCAA School Code to complete this registration. This can be obtained by phoning the VCAA Assessment Online Helpdesk on:

Telephone: 1800 827 721

Email: vcaa.ondemand.support@edumail.vic.gov.au

You will be provided with a unique user ID and password following registration.

Downloading a test

School administrators and teachers can search, preview and download On Demand tests from the VCAA Assessment Online Central Server.

Requests for downloads are placed in a queue and take approximately 45 minutes to complete.

The school server website runs on the CASES server in government schools and can be is accessed by teachers, to administer the tests, and by students to sit the tests. Teachers can run reports following a test.

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