As schools increasingly make the change to digital platforms, the debate over online testing versus traditional paper-based exams is growing larger. While supporters of online assessments praise the cost effectiveness that online testing provides along with the security that it has to offer, many paper based advocates argue how this type of testing eliminate potential issues that come with computer testing and how this testing in certain cases are better for students when it comes to how they perform.

Online testing has taken most schools by storm. This is mostly due to the cost effectiveness of this testing and the added security that it provides in many situations. When looking at how many tests are taken by students, it becomes apparent that if given on paper, the cost will start to add up. Technology based testing eliminates this problem through avoiding the use of paper that needs to be printed and bought. This can save lots of money throughout the school year especially when you take into account how many copies of the same test have to be made for each of the many tests that are given throughout the year. Not only can digital assessments provide price efficiency, but this testing form can also provide security and eliminate possible student cheating on the test. Many of these tests have performance-based questioning which means that the questions will be different from student to student. This eliminates the factor of cheating in ways that paper learning cannot. Not only that but the cheating factor can be brought down through screen viewing and secure modes that disable any other apps than the testing platform. These are some of the more important benefits that come with online testing.

Paper based assessments also come with many benefits as well. This type of testing can help avoid many problems that come with online based testing. All of these online tests are accessed and done on technology. This brings up possible technological errors and crashes that can hinder testing or in worst cases ruin students scores. There have been many cases where students have made progress on tests and the platform they are testing on crashes. If the student is lucky the teacher or staff will have access to previous work, but this is not the case with all tests. When taking a paper-based assessment these types of errors that have big consequences can be avoided. Not only can troublesome errors and crashes be avoided but have been seen in certain cases to be better for performance. Many of these online tests are on screens that require the test taker to stare at them for hours on end. This can be harmful for student's eyes and in direct relation can affect their performance on the test. These students may experience additional fatigue from the light that radiates off the screen, and this can affect their mental state and condition during the tests. With paper testing this can be avoided because there are no blue light rays that reflect off the screen that can possibly affect the test taker negatively. These benefits that come along with paper based assessments show the usefulness of this type of testing.

Overall, when looking at the benefits each type of testing provides, it can be seen why there are many varying opinions on this topic. Although this is true, it is crucial to take into consideration the most important fact about how students are the ones who take the test, and their performance is most important. With the possibility of hindrance of testing, scores, and performance that come with online testing, that can be solved through paper testing, it becomes apparent which from testing is better. Though both have their advantages, when looking at priority the real answer to this question becomes clear,