Computer-controlled testing process and device for administering an examination

• US 5,204,813 A
• Filed: 06/08/1990
• Issued: 04/20/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Testing Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Assessment Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Light, Kevin, Sauper, Metro, Price, Edwin J., Samph, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Envall, Jr., Roy N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BODENDORF, ANDREW
• Application Number:
  US07/535,311
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• Field of Search: 364/419, 364/200, 434/310, 434/323, 434/327, 434/335, 434/350, 434/356, 434/362
• US Class Current: 434/362
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/04 characterised by modifying the teaching programme in response to a wrong answer, e.g. repeating the question, supplying a further explanation
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/077 different stations being capable of presenting different questions simultaneously

Abstract

A computer-controlled portable testing device and process are provided for administering a test to a user. The testing device includes an information storage medium for storing information such as test questions and the user'"'"'s answers to the test questions. The test questions may include screening questions directed to the character of the user as part of a licensing issuing process and the user'"'"'s answers will include answers to the screening questions. A display on the device displays information such as the test questions from the information storage medium to the user. A touch screen on the device enables the user to input selected predetermined input information by touching entry pads displayed on the display. A microprocessor is provided to control the transfer of information between the information storage medium, the display and the touch screen. An internal power source supplies power for the device. Pursuant to the computer executed process, a test item is displayed on the display. Each test item includes a question, associated answer-options to the test question, and answer entry pads corresponding to the answer-options. Once an entry pad has been touched, the answer-option corresponding to such answer entry pad is stored in a response file in the information storage medium. Function entry pads are also displayed to control the display of information. Function entry pads enable specific questions to be marked for later review and also enable the subsequent review of skipped questions.

Claims

1. A computer-controlled testing device for administering a test to a user and for processing and displaying information comprising:

(1) an information storage medium for storing information, such information including test questions and answers of the user to the test questions;

(2) a display for displaying output information including the test questions from the information storage medium to the user and for displaying user entry pads at predetermined locations on the display for use in permitting the user to input predetermined information, the user entry pads including;

(i) information entry pads for use in permitting the user to input predetermined items of response information to the information storage medium, said predetermined items of response information including user-selectable answers to a displayed test question, each information entry pad corresponding to respective predetermined items of response information; and

(ii) function entry pads for use in permitting the user to input predetermined items of control information to the testing device for selectively controlling the output information displayed to the user, each function entry pad corresponding to respective predetermined items of control information;

(3) a touch screen on the display to enable the user to select an item of predetermined control information for input to the testing device and to select an item of predetermined response information for input to the information storage medium by touching the screen at any selected corresponding user entry pad while such user entry pad is displayed on the display;

(4) control means for controlling the administration of the test to the user and for controlling transfer of information between the information storage medium, the display and the touch screen, the control means including a microprocessor; and

(5) a microprocessor memory;

(6) a display controller for controlling operation of the display;

(7) a display controller memory;

(8) a UART connected between the microprocessor and the touch screen for transferring selected predetermined control and response information from the touch screen to the microprocessor;

(9) an input/output decoder connected with the microprocessor to decode addresses from the microprocessor to selectively enable the predetermined control and response information from the touch screen to be transferred through the UART to the microprocessor and to selectively enable the display controller to cause the output information and the user entry pads to be displayed on the display;

(10) a memory decoder connected with the microprocessor to decode addresses from the microprocessor to enable information to be selectively transferred between the microprocessor and the information storage medium, the microprocessor memory, and the display controller memory; and

(11) an internal power source for supplying power for the device.

2. The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said information storage medium is removable from said device and said device includes a port for connection with said information storage medium, the information storage medium being insertable into and removable from the port, and wherein said internal power source includes a battery and a power supply circuit connected with the battery for providing a source of predetermined voltage potential for the device, the power source including a switch connected between the power supply circuit and the battery to switchably connect and disconnect the battery form the power supply circuit, wherein said switch is actuated to connect the battery with the power supply circuit by the insertion of the information storage medium into the port and the switch is actuated to disconnect the battery from the power supply circuit by the removal of the information storage medium from the port.

3. The device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said switch includes a transistor having main terminals connected between the battery and the power supply circuit and a base connectable with ground by the insertion of the information storage medium into the port to thereby actuate the transistor into conduction to connect the battery with the power supply circuit.

4. The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said internal power source includes a battery and wherein said device includes a voltage sensing circuit connected with the battery for sensing level of charge on the battery, the voltage sensing circuit producing an output signal representing the level of charge on the battery, said output signal being input to said UART and wherein said microprocessor receives said output signal from said UART to enable the display controller to cause an indicia of the level of charge on the battery to be displayed on the display.

5. The device in accordance with claim 4 wherein said input/output decoder decodes addresses from the microprocessor to enable the UART to transmit the output signal from the voltage sensing circuit to the microprocessor.

6. The device in accordance with claim 4 wherein said voltage sensing circuit includes a voltage to frequency converter having an input means connected with the battery and an output means for producing said output signal, the voltage to frequency converter converting a voltage input representing the level of charge on the battery to the output signal having a frequency dependent on the voltage input.

7. The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said power source includes a battery and a power supply circuit connected with the battery for supplying a source of DC voltage potential and wherein said device includes a back light for back lighting the display and a lighting supply circuit connected with the power supply circuit and the back light to light said back light, said lighting supply circuit including a DC to AC converter for converting the DC voltage potential from the power supply circuit to an AC voltage for supply to said back light and wherein said lighting supply circuit includes a voltage regulator circuit connected between the power supply circuit and said DC to AC converter, the voltage regulator circuit being actuated by a switch signal from said UART.

8. The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said internal power source includes a rechargeable battery and wherein said device includes a battery charging circuit connected with the rechargeable battery, the battery charging circuit having external contacts for connection with a source of charging potential, said battery charging circuit having a charge control circuit connected between said rechargeable battery and said external contacts to permit dual level charging of the rechargeable battery such that the charge control circuit permits full charging of the rechargeable battery when the rechargeable battery is at a low level of charge and a trickle charge to the rechargeable battery when the battery has become fully charged.

9. The device in accordance with claim 8 wherein said charging circuit includes an indicator for indicating when the rechargeable battery is being charged by the charging circuit.

10. The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said power source includes a battery and a power supply circuit connected with the battery for supplying a source of positive DC voltage potential and wherein said display permits information to be displayed at variable intensity and wherein said device includes an intensity adjustment circuit connected with the display, the intensity adjustment circuit including a manual adjustment means to enable the user to selectively vary the intensity of displayed information and wherein said device includes a lighting supply circuit receiving said positive DC voltage potential and having a positive to negative voltage inverter circuit connected between the power supply circuit and the intensity adjustment circuit to convert the positive DC voltage potential to a negative DC voltage potential so that a negative DC voltage potential is supplied to said intensity adjustment circuit, and wherein said manual adjustment means includes a manually adjustable variable resistor and an adjustable negative voltage regulator responsive to the variable resistor, the negative voltage regulator receiving said negative DC voltage potential from said positive to negative voltage inverter circuit and producing an output voltage signal dependent on the variable resistor for supply to the display to permit intensity adjustment of displayed information.

11. The device in accordance with claim 10 wherein said lighting supply circuit includes a voltage regulator circuit connected between the power supply circuit and the positive to negative voltage inverter circuit and actuated by a switch signal from said UART.

12. The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the information storage medium stores the test to be administered to the user, the test including a plurality of test items stored in a selected order in a test file on the information storage medium, each test item including one of the test questions and at least two answer-options associated with the test question, and wherein the information entry pads include answer entry pads corresponding to the answer-options and wherein said control means includes:

A. means for effecting a display of a test item on the display including the test question and the associated answer-options, and the answer entry pads corresponding to the answer-options;

B. means for determining whether one of the answer entry pads was touched on the touch screen; and

C. means for enabling a response code corresponding to the answer entry pad which has been touched to be stored in a response file in said information storage medium.

13. The device in accordance with claim 12 wherein the control means includes:

A. means for effecting a display of a mark-for-review function entry pad on the display for permitting the user to mark a test item for later review;

B. means for determining whether the mark-for-review function entry pad was touched on the touch screen; and

C. means for enabling a review code to be stored in the response file in said information storage medium when the mark-for-review function entry pad has been touched so that the displayed test item is marked for later review.

14. The device in accordance with claim 13 wherein the control means includes:

A. means for effecting a display of a review-marked-items function entry pad for permitting the user to review test items on the display that have been marked for later review;

B. means for determining whether the review-marked-items function entry pad was touched on the touch screen; and

C. means for effecting a display of a test item that is marked for review on the display when the review-marked-items function entry pad is touched.

15. The device in accordance with claim 12 wherein the control means includes:

A. means for effecting a display of a next-item function entry pad on the display for permitting the user to request a display of a next test item relative to the test item on the display;

B. means for determining whether the next-item function entry pad was touched on the touch screen; and

C. means for effecting a display of the next test item on the display when the next-item function entry pad is touched so that the user can selectively proceed from one test item to another test item on the display.

16. The device in accordance with claim 12 wherein the test item includes more than one page and said display only displays one page of the test item at a time and wherein the control means includes:

A. means for effecting a display of a next-page function entry pad on the display for permitting the user to request a display of a next page of the test item relative to the page of the test item on the display;

B. means for determining whether the next-page function entry pad was touched on the touch screen; and

c. means for effecting a display of the next page of the test item on the display when the next-item function entry pad is touched so that the user can selectively proceed from one page of a test item to the next page of the test item on the display.

17. The device in accordance with claim 12 wherein the control means includes:

A. means for effecting a display of a previous-item function entry pad on the display for permitting the user to request a display of a previous test item relative to the test item on the display;

B. means for determining whether the previous-item function entry pad was touched on the touch screen; and

C. means for effecting a display of the previous test item on the display when the previous-item function entry pad is touched sot hat the user can selectively return to the previous test item on the display.

18. The device in accordance with claim 12 wherein the test item includes more than one page and the display only displays one page of the test item at a time and wherein the control means includes:

A. means for effecting a display of a previous-page function entry pad on the display for permitting the user to request a display of a previous page of the test item relative to the page of the test item on the display;

B. means for determining whether the previous-page function entry pad was touched on the touch screen; and

C. means for effecting a display of the previous page of the test item on the display when the previous-page function entry pad is touched so that the user can selectively return to the previous page of the test item on the display.

19. The device in accordance with claim 12 wherein the control means includes:

A. means for effecting a display of a review-specific-question function entry pad on the display for permitting the user to review a specific test item on the display;

B. means for effecting a display of a number entry pad on the display to permit the user to enter a number for the specific test item to be reviewed;

C. means for determining whether the review-specific-question function entry pad was touched on the touch screen;

D. means for determining whether the number entry pad was touched on the touch screen; and

E. means for effecting a display of the test item corresponding to the number that was touched on the number entry pad when the review-specific-question function entry pad and the number entry pad are touched in sequence by the user.

20. The device in accordance with claim 12 wherein the control means includes:

A. means for generating a random sequence for displaying test items different from the selected order in which said test items are stored in the test file on the information storage medium; and

B. means for retrieving each test item from said information storage medium for display on the display in the random sequence.

21. The device in accordance with claim 20 wherein the means for generating the random sequence for displaying the test items includes:

A. means for reading a starting base number from the response file on the information storage medium; and

B. means for generating a reproducible randomized sequence of numbers based on said starting base number, said test items being displayed according to the generated randomized sequence of numbers.

22. The device in accordance with claim 21 wherein the control means includes:

A. means to enable storage of a memory address corresponding to a storage location of each test item in the test file such that the memory addresses of all the test items are stored in the generated randomized sequence of numbers;

B. means for reading each of said memory addresses according to the generated randomized sequence of numbers; and

C. means for accessing each test item stored in the storage location as its memory address is read.

23. The device in accordance with claim 20 wherein the control means includes:

A. means for determining if the test becomes inadvertently terminated during administration of the test;

B. means for determining the test item in the random sequence which was last answered when the test became inadvertently terminated; and

C. means for effecting a display of the test item in the random sequence following the item answered last if the test was inadvertently terminated.

24. The device in accordance with claim 12 wherein the information storage medium stores a reference identification code corresponding to a valid identification code for a particular user and wherein the control means includes:

A. means for displaying character entry pads on the display to permit entry of a sequence of characters on the touch screen;

B. means for determining whether any character entry pads were touched;

C. means for determining which character entry pads were touched and an order in which such character entry pads were touched so as to generate an input sequence of characters; and

D. means for comparing the input sequence of characters to the reference identification code to determine whether the input sequence of characters defines a valid identification code.

25. The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the test questions include screening questions for soliciting personal information about the user to establish the user'"'"'s personal qualifications to be issued a license if the user passes the test and wherein the answers of the user to the test questions include answers of the user to the screening questions and wherein the control means includes means for controlling transfer of screening questions from the information storage medium to the display for display to the user and for controlling transfer of the answers of the user to the screening questions input at the touch screen to the information storage medium.

26. The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the control means includes:

A. timer means for providing a predetermined time period for the user to take the test and for terminating the test at the end of the predetermined time period; and

B. warning means for providing a warning signal to the user at a selected time from the end of the predetermined time period to warn the user that the test will terminate upon expiration of the selected time.

27. The device in accordance with claim 26 wherein the warning signal is displayed momentarily on said display at the selected time as a first warning to the user and wherein said warning means provides a second warning signal for display on said display at a second selected time from the end of the predetermined time period as a second warning to the user, the second warning signal being continuously displayed on the display until the test terminates.

28. A computer-controlled portable testing device for administering a test to a user and for processing and displaying information comprising;

A. an information storage medium for storing information including test questions and answers of the user to the test questions, the information storage medium storing the test to be administered to the user, the test including a plurality of test items stored in a selected order in a test file on the information storage medium, each test item including one of the test questions and at least two answer-options associated with the test questions;

B. a display for displaying information to the user including the test items from the information storage medium;

C. input means to enable the user to input information to the testing device and to input the answers of the user to the test questions to the information storage medium;

D. control means for controlling the administration of the test to the user and for controlling transfer of information between the information storage medium, the display, and the input means, said control means including;

(i) means for effecting a display of a test item on the display;

(ii) means for determining whether the user has selected one of the answer-options to the test question of the displayed test item as the user'"'"'s answer to the test question of the displayed test item;

(iii) means for enabling a response code corresponding to the selected answer-option to the test question of the displayed test item to be stored in a response file on said information storage medium;

(iv) means for generating a random sequence for displaying the test items different from the selected order in which said test items are stored in the test file on the information storage medium including;

a. means for reading a starting base number from the response file on the information storage medium; and

b. means for generating a reproducible randomized sequence of numbers based on said starting base number, said test items being displayed according to the generated randomized sequence of numbers; and

(v) means for retrieving each test item from said information storage medium for display on the display in the random sequence; and

E. an internal power source for supplying power for the testing device.

29. The device in accordance with claim 28 wherein the control means includes:

A. means to enable storage of a memory address corresponding to a storage location of each test item in the test file such that the memory addresses of all the test items are stored according to the generated randomized sequence of numbers;

B. means for reading each of said memory addresses according to the generated randomized sequence of numbers; and

C. means for accessing each test item stored in the storage location as its memory address is read.

30. A computer-controlled portable testing device for administering a test to a user and for processing and displaying information comprising;

A. an information storage medium for storing information including test questions and answers of the user to the test questions, the information storage medium storing the test to be administered to the user, the test including a plurality of test items stored in a selected order in a test file on the information storage medium, each test item including one of the test questions and at least two answer-options associated with the test question;

B. a display for displaying information to the user including the test items from the information storage medium;

C. input means to enable the user to input information to the testing device and to input the answers of the user to the test questions to the information storage medium;

D. control means for controlling the administration of the test to the user and for controlling transfer of information between the information storage medium, the display, and the input means, said control means including;

(i) means for effecting a display of a test item on the display;

(ii) means for determining whether the user has selected one of the answer-options to the test question of the displayed test item as the user'"'"'s answer to the test question of the displayed test item;

(iii) means for enabling a response code corresponding to the selected answer-option to the test question of the displayed test item to be stored in a response file on said information storage medium;

(iv) means for generating a random sequence for displaying the test items different from the selected order in which said test items are stored in the test file on the information storage medium; and

(v) means for retrieving each test item from said information storage medium for display on the display in the random sequence;

(vi) means for determining if the test becomes inadvertently terminated during administration of the test;

(vii) means for determining the test item in the random sequence which has last answered when the test became inadvertently terminated; and

(viii) means for effecting a display of the test item in the random sequence following the test item answered last if the test was inadvertently terminated; and

E. an internal power source for supplying power for the testing device.

31. A computer-controlled portable testing device for administering a test to a user and for processing and displaying information comprising:

A. an information storage medium for storing information including test questions and answers of the user to the test questions, said information storage medium being removable from said device;

B. a display for displaying output information including the test questions from the information storage medium to the user and for displaying user entry pads at predetermined locations on the display for use in permitting the user to input predetermined information, the user entry pads including;

(i) information entry pads for use in permitting the user to input predetermined items of response information to the information storage medium, said predetermined items of response information including user-selectable answers to a displayed test question, each information entry pad corresponding to respective predetermined items of response information; and

(ii) function entry pads for use in permitting the user to input predetermined items of control information to the testing device for selectively controlling the output information displayed to the user, each function entry pad corresponding to respective predetermined items of control information;

C. a touch screen on the display to enable the user to select an item of predetermined control information for input to the testing device and to select an item of predetermined response information for input to the information storage medium by touching the screen at any selected corresponding user entry pad while such user entry pad is displayed on the display;

D. control means for controlling the administration of the test to the user and for controlling transfer of information between the information storage medium, the display and the touch screen;

E. a port for connection with said information storage medium, the information storage medium being insertable into and removable from the port; and

F. an internal power source for supplying power for the device, the internal power source including a battery and a power supply circuit connected with the battery for providing a source of predetermined voltage potential for the device, the power source including a switch connected between the power supply circuit and the battery to switchably connect and disconnect the battery from the power supply circuit, wherein said switch is actuated to connect the battery with the power supply circuit by the insertion of the information storage medium into the port and the switch is actuated to disconnect the battery from the power supply circuit by the removal of the information storage medium from the port.

32. The device in accordance with claim 31 wherein said switch includes a transistor having main terminals connected between the battery and the power supply circuit and a base connectable with ground by the insertion of the information storage medium into the port to thereby actuate the transistor into conduction to connect the battery with the power supply circuit.

33. A computer-controlled portable testing device for administering a test to a user and for processing and displaying information comprising;

A. an information storage medium for storing information including test questions and answers of the user to the test questions;

B. a display for displaying output information including the test questions from the information storage medium to the user and for displaying user entry pads at predetermined locations on the display for use in permitting the user to input predetermined information, the user entry pads including;

(i) information entry pads for use in permitting the user to input predetermined items of response information to the information storage medium, said predetermined items of response information including user-selectable answers to a displayed test question, each information entry pad corresponding to respective predetermined items of response information; and

(ii) function entry pads for use in permitting the user to input predetermined items of control information to the testing device for selectively controlling the output information displayed to the user, each function entry pad corresponding to respective predetermined items of control information;

C. a touch screen on the display to enable the user to select an item of predetermined control information for input to the testing device and to select an item of predetermined response information for input to the information storage medium by touching the screen at any selected corresponding user entry pad while such user entry pad is displayed on the display;

D. control means for controlling the administration of the test to the user and for controlling transfer of information between the information storage medium, the display and the touch screen; and

E. an internal power source for supplying power for the device including a rechargeable battery and a battery charging circuit connected with the rechargeable battery, the battery charging circuit having external contacts for connection with a source of charging potential, said battery charging circuit having a charge control circuit connected between said rechargeable battery and said external contacts to permit dual level charging of the rechargeable battery such that the charge control circuit permits full charging of the rechargeable battery when the rechargeable battery is at a low level of charge and a trickle charge to the rechargeable battery when the battery has become fully charged.

34. The device in accordance with claim 33 wherein said battery charging circuit includes an indicator for indicating when the rechargeable battery is being charged by the battery charging circuit.

35. A computer-controlled portable testing device for administering a test to a user and for processing and displaying information comprising;

A. an information storage medium for storing information including test questions and answers of the user to the test questions, the test including a plurality of test items stored in a selected order in a test file on the information storage medium, each test item including one of the test questions and at least two answer-options associated with the test question;

B. a display for displaying output information including the test questions from the information storage medium to the user, said display only displaying one page at a time of any test item having more than one page, and for displaying user entry pads at predetermined locations on the display for use in permitting the user to input predetermined information, the user entry pads including;

(i) information entry pads for use in permitting the user to input predetermined items of response information to the information storage medium, said predetermined items of response information including user-selectable answers to a displayed test question, each information entry pad corresponding to respective predetermined items of response information, the information entry pads including answer entry pads corresponding to the answer-options; and

(ii) function entry pads for use in permitting the user to input predetermined items of control information to the testing device for selectively controlling the output information displayed to the user, each function entry pad corresponding to respective predetermined items of control information;

C. a touch screen on the display to enable the user to select an item of predetermined control information for input to the testing device and to select an item of predetermined response information for input to the information storage medium by touching the screen at any selected corresponding user entry pad while such user entry pad is displayed on the display;

D. control means for controlling the administration of the test to the user and for controlling transfer of information between the information storage medium, the display and the touch screen including;

(i) means for effecting a display of a test item on the display including the test question and the associated answer-options, and the answer entry pads corresponding to the answer-options;

(ii) means for determining whether one of the answer entry pads was touched on the touch screen;

(iii) means for enabling a response code corresponding to the answer entry pad which has been touched to be stored in a response file in said information storage medium;

(iv) means for effecting a display of a next-page function entry pad on the display for permitting the user to request a display of a next page of the test item relative to the page of the test item on the display;

(v) means for determining whether the next-page function entry pad was touched on the touch screen; and

(vi) means for effecting a display of the next page of the test item on the display when the next-page function entry pad is touched so that the user can selectively proceed from one page of a test item to the next page of the test item on the display; and

E. an internal power source for supplying power for the device.

36. A computer-controlled portable testing device for administering a test to a user and for processing and displaying information comprising;

A. an information storage medium for storing information including test questions and answers of the user to the test questions, the test including a plurality of test items stored in a selected order in a test file on the information storage medium, each test item including one of the test questions and at least two answer-options associated with the test question;

B. a display for displaying output information including the test questions from the information storage medium to the user, said display only displaying one page at a time of any test item having more than one page, and for displaying user entry pads at predetermined locations on the display for use in permitting the user to input predetermined information, the user entry pads including;

(i) information entry pads for use in permitting the user to input predetermined items of response information to the information storage medium, said predetermined items of response information including user-selectable answers to a displayed test question, each information entry pad corresponding to respective predetermined items of response information, the information entry pads including answer entry pads corresponding to the answer-options; and

(ii) function entry pads for use in permitting the user to input predetermined items of control information to the testing device for selectively controlling the output information displayed to the user, each function entry pad corresponding to respective predetermined items of control information;

C. a touch screen on the display to enable the user to select an item of predetermined control information for input to the testing device and to select an item of predetermined response information for input to the information storage medium by touching the screen at any selected corresponding user entry pad while such user entry pad is displayed on the display;

D. control means for controlling the administration of the test to the user and for controlling transfer of information between the information storage medium, the display and the touch screen including;

(i) means for effecting a display of a test item on the display including the test question and the associated answer-options, and the answer entry pads corresponding to the answer-options;

(ii) means for determining whether one of the answer entry pads was touched on the touch screen;

(iii) means for enabling a response code corresponding to the answer entry pad which has been touched to be stored in a response file in said information storage medium;

(iv) means for effecting a display of a previous-page function entry pad on the display for permitting the user to request a display of a previous page of the test item relative to the page of the test item on the display;

(v) means for determining whether the previous-page function entry pad was touched on the touch screen;

(vi) means for effecting a display of the previous page of the test item on the display when the previous-page function entry pad is touched so that the user can selectively return to the previous page of the test item on the display; and

E. an internal power source for supplying power for the device.

37. A computer-controlled portable testing device for administering a test to a user and for processing and displaying information comprising:

A. an information storage medium for storing information including test questions and answers of the user to the test questions, the test including a plurality of test items stored in a selected order in a test file on the information storage medium, each test item including one of the test questions and at least two answer-options associated with the test question;

B. a display for displaying output information including the test questions from the information storage medium to the user and for displaying user entry pads at predetermined locations on the display for use in permitting the user to input predetermined information, the user entry pads including;

(i) information entry pads for use in permitting the user to input predetermined items of response information to the information storage medium, said predetermined items of response information including user-selectable answers to a displayed test question, each information entry pad corresponding to respective predetermined items of response information, the information entry pads including answer entry pads corresponding to the answer-options; and

(ii) function entry pads for use in permitting the user to input predetermined items of control information to the testing device for selectively controlling the output information displayed to the user, each function entry pad corresponding to respective predetermined items of control information;

C. a touch screen on the display to enable the user to select an item of predetermined control information for input to the testing device and to select an item of predetermined response information for input to the information storage medium by touching the screen at any selected corresponding user entry pad while such user entry pad is displayed on the display;

D. control means for controlling the administration of the test to the user and for controlling transfer of information between the information storage medium, the display and the touch screen including;

(i) means for effecting a display of a test item on the display including the test question and the associated answer-options, and the answer entry pads corresponding to the answer-options;

(ii) means for determining whether one of the answer entry pads was touched on the touch screen;

(iii) means for enabling a response code corresponding to the answer entry pad which has been touched to be stored in a response file in said information storage medium;

(iv) means for generating a random sequence for displaying test items different from the selected order in which said test items are stored in the test file on the information storage medium including;

a. means for reading a starting base number from the response file on the information storage medium; and

b. means for generating a reproducible randomized sequence of numbers based on said starting base number, said test items being displayed according to the generated randomized sequence of numbers; and

(v) means for retrieving each test item from said information storage medium for display on the display in the random sequence; and

E. an internal power source for supplying power for the device.

38. The device in accordance with claim 37 wherein the control means includes:

A. means to enable storage of a memory address corresponding to a storage location of each test item in the test file such that the memory addresses of all the test items are stored in the generated randomized sequence of numbers;

B. means for reading each of said memory addresses according to the generated randomized sequence of numbers; and

C. means for accessing each test item stored in the storage location as its memory address is read.

39. A computer-controlled portable testing device for administering a test to a user and for processing and displaying information comprising;

A. an information storage medium for storing information including test questions and answers of the user to the test questions, the test including a plurality of test items stored in a selected order in a test file on the information storage medium, each test item including one of the test questions and at least two answer-options associated with the test question;

B. a display for displaying output information including the test questions from the information storage medium to the user and for displaying user entry pads at predetermined locations on the display for use in permitting the user to input predetermined information, the user entry pads including;

(i) information entry pads for use ni permitting the user to input predetermined items of response information to the information storage medium, said predetermined items of response information including user-selectable answers to a displayed test question, each information entry pad corresponding to respective predetermined items of response information, the information entry pads including answer entry pads corresponding to the answer-options; and

(ii) function entry pads for use in permitting the user to input predetermined items of control information to the testing device for selectively controlling the output information displayed to the user, each function entry pad corresponding to respective predetermined items of control information;

C. a touch screen on the display to enable the user to select an item of predetermined control information for input to the testing device and to select an item of predetermined response information for input to the information storage medium by touching the screen at any selected corresponding user entry pad while such user entry pad is displayed on the display;

D. control means for controlling the administration of the test to the user and for controlling transfer of information between the information storage medium, the display and the touch screen including;

(i) means for generating a random sequence for displaying test items different from the selected order in which said test items are stored in the test file on the information storage medium;

(ii) means for retrieving each test item from said information storage medium for display on the display in the random sequence;

(iii) means for effecting a display of a test item on the display including the test question and the associated answer-options, and the answer entry pads corresponding to the answer-options;

(iv) means for determining whether one of the answer entry pads was touched on the touch screen;

(v) means for enabling a response code corresponding to the answer entry pad which has been touched to be stored in a response file in said information storage medium;

(vi) means for determining if the test becomes inadvertently terminated during administration of the test;

(vii) means for determining the test item in the random sequence which was last answered when the test became inadvertently terminated; and

(viii) means for effecting a display of the test item in the random sequence following the item answered last if the test was inadvertently terminated; and

E. an internal power source for supplying power for the device.

40. A computer-controlled portable testing device for administering a test to a user and for processing and displaying information comprising:

a. an external port;

B. an information storage medium for storing information including test questions and answers of the user to the test questions, said information storage medium being insertable into and removable from the external port;

C. a display for displaying information to the user including the test questions form the information storage medium;

D. input means to enable the user to input information to the testing device and to input the answers of the user to the test questions to the information storage medium;

E. control means for controlling the administration of the test to the user and for controlling transfer of information between the information storage medium, the display, and the input means; and

F. power supply means for supplying power for the testing device, the power supply means including power source means for providing a source of voltage potential to the device and a switch for operably connecting and disconnecting the power source means to respectively turn the device on and off, the switch being operably connected wit the external port so that insertion of the information storage medium into the external port actuates the switch to turn the device on and removal of the information storage medium from the external port actuates the switch to turn the device off.

41. The device in accordance with claim 40 wherein the power source means includes an internal battery and a power supply circuit connectable with the battery for supplying voltage potential from the battery to the device and wherein the switch includes a transistor having main terminals connected between the power supply circuit and the battery and a base connectable to and disconnectable from a selected voltage potential by the respective insertion and removal of the information storage medium to and from the external port whereby the insertion of the information storage medium into the external port actuates the transistor into conduction to connect the battery with the power supply circuit.

42. A computer-controlled portable testing device for administering a test to a user and for processing and displaying information comprising:

A. an information storage medium for storing information including test questions and answers of the user to the test questions;

B. a display for displaying information to the user including the test questions from the information storage medium;

C. input means to enable the user to input information to the testing device and to input the answers of the user to the test questions to the information storage medium;

D. control means for controlling the administration of the test to the user and for controlling transfer of information between the information storage medium, the display, and the input means, the control means including;

(i) timer means for providing a predetermined time period for the user to take the test and for terminating the test at the end of the predetermined time period; and

(ii) warning means for providing a warning signal to the user at a selected time from the end of the predetermined time period to warn the user that the test will terminate upon expiration of the selected time wherein the warning signal is displayed momentarily on said display at the selected time as a first warning to the user and wherein said warning means provides a second warning signal for display on said display at a second selected time form the end of the predetermined time period as a second warning to the user, the second warning signal being continuously displayed on the display until the test terminates.