Testing Using Pen Versus Keyboard

This study seeks to examine the rollout of computer-based testing in Massachusetts over 2 years to investigate test mode effects. Findings on the effects of online testing in the second year of administration suggest that mode effects for second-time test takers were about one third as large as the first year in math and about half as large in ELA. There is little evidence of systematic variation in mode effects by student demographic groups, although on ELA tests they are larger for students scoring at the bottom of the achievement distribution.

Backes, B., & Cowan, J. (2018). Is the pen mightier than the keyboard? The effect of online testing on measured student achievement. CALDER Working Paper, 190. https://caldercenter.org/sites/default/files/WP%20190.pdf