Internet test-making method

• US 6,513,042 B1
• Filed: 02/11/1999
• Issued: 01/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Test.com, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Test.com, Inc.
• Inventors: Anderson, John C., Stack, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson, Greta
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Debbie M
• Application Number:
  US09/248,465
• Time in Patent Office: 1,447 Days
• Field of Search: 707/10, 707/102, 707/1, 434/322, 434/327, 434/335, 434/350, 434/362, 705/40, 705/14, 705/400
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/02 of the type wherein the student is expected to construct an answer to the question which is presented or wherein the machine gives an answer to the question presented by a student
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

A method of making a tests, assessments, surveys and lesson plans with images and sound files and posting them on-line for potential users. Questions are input by a test-maker and then the questions are compiled into a test by a host system and posted on-line for potential test-takers. The compiled test may be placed in a directory for access by the test-takers, the directory preferably having a plurality of categories corresponding to different types of tests and the compiled test is placed in the appropriate category. For ease in administration, a just-made test is placed into a temporary category so that it may be later reviewed (by the proprietor of the host system) and placed in the most appropriate category.

Claims

1. A method of making a test and posting the test on-line for potential test-takers, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a host system and a plurality of remote terminals operatively coupled to the Internet;

inputting questions at one of the remote terminals;

compiling the questions at the host system to make a compiled test;

posting the test on-line for potential test-takers;

wherein a test-taker is required to pay to take the compiled test; and

wherein the test-maker and the proprietor of the host system share the revenues generated by the test-taker taking the test.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 including the steps of providing a home page that is accessible to both potential test-makers and test-takers and that allows users to cast themselves as either a test-maker or a test-taker.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the test-maker is required to input an identifier.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 further including the steps of editing a compiled test.

5. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of posting the step includes placing the compiled test in a directory for access by potential test-takers.

6. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the directory has a plurality of categories corresponding to different types of tests and wherein the compiled test is placed in the appropriate category.

7. A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the step of placing the compiled test in a directory includes the steps of placing a just-made test into a temporary category, reviewing the test to determine the appropriate category, and then placing the test into the appropriate category.

8. A method as set forth in claim 7 further comprising the step of receiving input from the test-maker as to the appropriate category.

9. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the test-taker chooses a test from the directory.

10. A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the test-taker is allowed to preview the test chosen from the directory.

11. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the compiled test is placed in a restricted directory and the test-taker must have know a password to access the compiled test.

16. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the host system includes a procedure for opening an account for a test-taker.

12. A method of posting a test on-line for potential test-takers, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a host system and a plurality of remote terminals operatively coupled to the Internet;

placing a test in a restricted directory for potential test-takers;

requiring a test-taker to input a password to have access to the restricted directory;

wherein the restricted directory includes academic practice tests and wherein a school enrolls students at a set cost per school year.

13. A system for generating and posting an on-line test, comprising:

a first computer operatively coupled to the Internet, the first computer including software means for generating the test and software means for posting the test on the Internet; and

a second computer operatively coupled to the Internet, the second computer operative to allow a user to take the test and receive test results,

wherein a test-taker is required to pay to take the compiled test; and

wherein a test-maker and a proprietor of the first computer share the revenues generated by the test-taker taking the test.

14. A system for generating and posting an on-line test, comprising:

a host computer operatively coupled to a network backbone, the host computer including means for generating the test and means for posting the test;

a first computer operatively coupled to the host computer, the first computer being operative to generate questions for the test; and

a second computer operatively coupled to the host computer, the second computer operative to the take the test,

wherein a test-taker is required to pay to take the compiled test; and

wherein a test-maker and a proprietor of the host computer share the revenues generated by the test-taker taking the test.

15. A system for generating and posting an on-line test, comprising:

host means, coupled to a network backbone, for generating the test and for posting the test;

means, operatively coupled to the host means, for generating questions for the test; and

means, operatively coupled to the host means, for taking the test,

wherein a test-taker is required to pay to take the compiled test; and

wherein a test-maker and a proprietor of the host means share the revenues generated by the test-taker taking the test.